Smart #5 electric SUV is brand's largest, most powerful car ever

The Smart #5 has broken cover, with the Tesla Model Y-sized electric SUV set to be the brand’s most powerful vehicle to date.

Key specifications for the Smart #5 were revealed in a Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) filing and published by automotive outlet CarNewsChina, and it’ll join the #1 and #3 in Smart’s electric vehicle (EV) lineup.

It’s only slightly smaller than a Tesla Model Y, and in flagship guise packs more power than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Kia EV6 GT.

The #5 was revealed in concept form at this year’s Beijing motor show in April, pitched as the brand’s largest and most rugged vehicle yet.

The production Smart #5 is expected to be officially revealed later this year.

According to the MIIT filing, the Smart #5 will be available with four powertrain options: two single-motor rear-wheel drive configurations and two dual-motor all-wheel drive ones.

CarNewsChina reports it’ll use an 800V electrical architecture that will allow it to be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in 15 minutes, while a battery with a capacity larger than 100kWh will be available in its longest-range variant.

The Smart #5 is capable of up to 700km of range on the CLTC cycle used in China.

RWD models will be fitted with a single rear-mounted motor producing either 250kW or 267kW, paired with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.

AWD models are fitted with a 165kW front motor and either a 267kW or 310kW rear motor. The least powerful of the two has a combined output of 432kW, while the range-topping AWD variant produces 475kW.

They’re fitted with a nickel cobalt manganese battery pack.

In its most powerful guise, the #5 is expected to be able to hit 0-100km/h in less than three seconds.

For comparison, the Ioniq 5 N produces 448kW of power, which can be increased to 478kW for 10 seconds with its N Grin Boost function, while the EV6 GT produces 430kW.

Both cars have a claimed 0-100km/h time of 3.5 seconds.

The Smart #5 is a five-door, five-seater and measures 4705mm long, 1920mm wide, and 1705mm tall – 46mm shorter, 58mm narrower and 81mm taller than a Model Y.

It can be fitted with wheels ranging in size from 18 to 21 inches, while the top-spec AWD variant has a kerb weight of 2450kg.

Interior images haven’t been released, though the production model will likely follow the Concept #5 in offering a screen-heavy cabin.

Smart will be returning to the Australian market later this year after nearly a decade’s absence.

Geely-owned Volvo, Polestar and Lotus already sell EVs here, while EV-only brand Zeekr is also gearing up for a local launch.

A launch date for the Smart #5 has yet to be confirmed, and it’s unclear whether it’ll make its way Down Under.

The Smart #1 and #3 have both been confirmed for Australia, including in flagship Brabus performance guises, though local specifications haven’t been revealed.

In China, they offer single rear-mounted electric motors producing up to 200kW of power and 343Nm of torque, paired with a 66kWh nickel-cobalt-manganese battery.

Brabus versions add a front electric motor and boost outputs to 315kW and 543Nm.

Smart is now joint-owned by Geely and Mercedes-Benz, and all its cars are built in Xi’an, China.

MORE: Off-road concept previews largest Smart ever MORE: Quirky Smart brand confirms Australian return with electric SUVs MORE: Smart #1 unveiled MORE: Smart #3 electric SUV leaked in China