Smart #5 electric SUV leaked in China; debut later this year

KUALA LUMPUR: After the #1 and #3, smart (owned by Geely and Mercedes-Benz) is gearing up to launch its next electric car, the #5. The concept version of the smart #5 was introduced in April, and now the production model is in front of us ahead of the official debut.

As reported by CarNewsChina, the images and preliminary specifications of the upcoming smart #5 have been recently published on China's MIIT (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) website. 

The leaked information reveals the dimensions of the EV: it measures 4,705 mm in length, 1,920 mm in width, and 1,705 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,900 mm. The kerb weight is rated at 2,450 kg, and the wheel size ranges from 18 to 21 inches in diameter. These dimensions confirm that the upcoming model will be the largest smart electric car to date.

According to MIIT documents, the smart #5 will be offered in four drivetrain options:

• A single motor RWD producing a maximum power of 335 hp
• An uprated single motor RWD tuned to generate 358 hp
• A dual-motor AWD mill combining a 221-hp front motor and a 358-hp rear motor, which makes a total output of 579 hp
• A more powerful dual-motor AWD version capable of generating a combined output of 638 hp

The single-motor RWD versions will utilise a lithium iron phosphate battery pack, while the dual-motor AWD models will feature a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) unit. According to leaked documents, both variants are expected to come with a 100-kWh battery capacity, delivering a maximum range of 700 km based on China’s more lenient CLTC protocol.

In terms of design, the production version closely mirrors the overall silhouette of the show car; however, it lacks the chunky adventurous aesthetics. 

While MIIT has not released any interior shots of the upcoming smart EV, it is anticipated that the production-spec model will follow the concept, featuring a cabin equipped with widescreen displays.

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