Smart #5 electric SUV makes its world premiere

KUALA LUMPUR: The all-electric automotive brand, smart has finally pulled the wraps of its largest-ever vehicle, the smart #5, in Byron Bay, Australia. Positioned as a premium mid-size SUV, the new smart EV is the brand's third electric vehicle, following the #3 and #1.

So, what does the smart #5 bring to the table?

The smart #5 is a rugged-looking SUV, designed by Mercedes-Benz. It remains faithful to the original concept previewed earlier this year and boasts a squared-off silhouette with classic design features. There is a full-width light bar on the front along with four oval lights below the Smart badge; the rear fascia also echoes the same lighting pattern.

Among the other key exterior highlights are frameless doors, short overhangs, a panoramic sunroof, dual-coloured mirrors, and floating wheel caps. The EV has a manageable size for urban driving with a wheelbase of 2,900 mm and an overall length of 4,705 mm.

The EV will be offered in two versions - Premium and Summit Edition. The latter can be specced with the Adventurers' Collection package, which brings on board a roof light bar, an electric trailer hitch, underbody protection, a roof carrier, side steps, a side bag, and a side ladder.

The tech-savvy and premium cabin houses Zero-gravity seats with 121 degrees of recline and leather upholstery, a 10.3-inch digital driver display, two 13-inch AMOLED displays (central and passenger), and a 25.6-inch augmented reality head-up display. The EV uses generative AI tech for the voice-command system to control everything from the navigation to the music, to phone calls, and air-conditioning.

Other comfort and luxury enhancing bits include -

• Ambient lighting with 256 colours
• Adjustable seats for different sleeping configurations (king-size, queen-size, single).
• Electric sunshield
• Aeroplane-style LED reading lights
• One-button comfort mode for more legroom
• Built-in projector, Sennheiser Signature Sound System with 20 speakers
• 34 storage compartments
• 1,530 litres of rear storage space

Adding to the safety quotient are V-shaped head curtain airbags, cushion airbags, and seat-integrated safety belts.

The smart #5 is equipped with a 100.0-kWh battery pack offering a range of up to 740 km. It juices up to 10 to 80 percent in just 15 minutes thanks to 800-volt architecture. The vehicle comes with on- and off-road driving modes, including Adaptive, Sand, Snow, Mud, and Rock. 

Upon introducing the smart #5, Dirk Adelmann​, CEO smart Europe, said, “We are delighted to present our first-ever midsize premium SUV, the all-new smart #5, to the world. With this new vehicle, we are expanding into a new market segment, reflecting our commitment to quality, innovation, and addressing the evolving needs of our customers. As we continue to broaden our product lineup, we remain focused on providing diverse mobility solutions that cater to different lifestyles and preferences in Europe and around the globe. This vehicle represents not only a new level of premium for smart but also an opportunity to explore new possibilities in the realm of electric mobility.”

Also read: Smart Malaysia opens second EV hub in Johor Bahru, adding to its ever-growing network