Smart has teased the next step in the reinvention of its brand. No prizes for guessing the #3 is to be a crossover but it's interesting to see the evolution of Smart’s much more Mercedes-influenced minimalist design language.
Larger than the #1, it’s to be a sporty all-electric SUV Coupe, that we expect to broadly be in the footprint of the Mercedes EQA. If that does turn out to be the case, we expect more than a little componentry to be shared, including the larger 71kWh battery the EQA received last year, with a 335-mile WLTP-rated range.
And indeed Smart makes no secret of the fact that this new generation of all-electric cars is closer to its Mercedes parent, with designs the creation of the Mercedes-Benz global team. Based on the teaser images, it’ll be a handsome, inoffensive if not all that impactful thing and thoroughly in keeping with the design direction first articulated with the #1.
Gorden Wagener, Mercedes Chief Design Officer, says “the design of the #3 is emotionally confident, attracting and even thrilling the viewer”. If you say so, Gorden.
The #3 is due to be revealed at Auto Shanghai 2023 on 18th April, though it’s not clear whether this will be in concept form, or be production-representative. More details when the time comes.
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#3
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Electric Avenue