Smart #5 electric SUV gets a debut date

KUALA LUMPUR: Previewed as a concept earlier this year, the smart #5 electric SUV is set to make its official world premiere on August 28, 2024, in China, as reported by CarNewsChina. 

The upcoming smart #5 is the third EV manufactured by smart Automobile, a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely. It is a mid-size SUV based on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) electric vehicle platform.

The images and preliminary specifications of the production-spec smart #5 were leaked last month thanks to China's MIIT (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) website. As per that, the EV measures 4,705 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, and 1,705 mm in height. The wheelbase is measured at 2,900 mm. According to these figures, the upcoming EV will be larger than smart #1 and smart #3.

Visually, the road-ready smart #5 looks much similar to the prototype, however, it misses out on the rugged aesthetics seen in the latter. The EV features a boxy and upright stance with short overhangs. The front is dominated by a continuous light strip connecting polygonal headlights and a silver bumper while the side profile features hidden door handles, square lines, roof luggage racks, and semi-enclosed rims. At the rear lies the continuous tail lights and a silver bumper mirroring the front design.

While MITI did not reveal any interior shots of the production-ready smart #5, we can refer to the concept vehicle for reference. The cabin has a clear and organised design with conveniently placed controls and a wide console housing two OLED screens powered by the high-performance AMD V2000 chip. It also integrates AI technology from Cerence, enabling voice control for various functions. As for comfort, the EV boasts zero-gravity front passenger seats with heating, ventilation, and massage functions.

According to MIIT documents, the automaker will offer the smart #5 in four drivetrain options - two single-motor and two dual-motor trims. The single-motor versions feature a rear-wheel drive electric motor, delivering a maximum power of up to 335 hp and 358 hp. The dual-motor versions, on the contrary, are good for making a total output of 579 hp and 638 hp.

The EV will have two battery options - 76 kWh and 100.01 kWh- and will offer a driving range from 570 km to 740 km (on the CLTC cycle).

Notable, the the #5 will be smart’s first EV to feature an 800 V architecture system, offering rapid charging from 10% to 80% in just 15 minutes.

“The smart Concept #5 is the most unexpected and versatile car that our brand has ever created. With this vehicle, we leave all boundaries behind and open up a new segment for customers worldwide,” says the automaker.

Well, for detailed specifications and features, we will have to wait for the official debut of the smart #5, which is a month away.

Also read: smart #3: Variants explained