Smart returns to its roots with tiny two-seat EV

After relaunching the brand with #1, #3, #5 and #6, Smart has finally dropped a #2 ahead of its public debut at this week’s 2026 Beijing motor show.

The Concept #2 previews the production model that’s scheduled to debut at this year’s Paris motor show in October. The #2 will continue the model line that started the small-car brand back in 1998 when the two-seat, rear-engined, rear-wheel drive City-Coupe went into production.

In 2002 the car was rechristened ForTwo, a name it kept until the third-generation model ceased production in 2024.

The concept is just 2792mm long which, if carried through to production, will mean the new car is the longest model in the City-Coupe/ForTwo/#2 lineage. The second- and third-generation models both measured 2695mm from end to end, while the original was just 2500mm long.

Details about the all-electric #2 are scarce, but Smart says the production car will have a WLTP range of around 300km, and include vehicle-to-load charging support, allowing it to power external appliances. At the end of its run, the third-generation electric ForTwo EQ had a WLTP range of 145km, and was powered by a 60kW/160Nm motor.

Although a maximum DC fast-charging rate isn’t specified, the brand claims the #2 can be charged from 10 to 80 per cent in under 20 minutes. Smart also states the #2 will have a turning circle of just 6.95 metres.

Due to the car’s petite dimensions, the #2 uses Smart’s new Electric Compact Architecture. As the brand is now a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, other models in the current Smart lineup use platforms shared with other Geely models.

The production car’s body is expected to mirror that of the Concept #2, but it’s likely most of the show car’s more fanciful details won’t make it to the factory. These include the acres of gold trim, leather-strap door pulls, protruding opaque plastic wheel covers, and a grille cover styled to resemble a Louis Vuitton bag.

Geely bought a 50 per cent stake in the Smart brand in 2020, with the Chinese company responsible for engineering and Mercedes-Benz in control of design.

Production of all new models now takes place in China after Smart’s original factory in Hambach, France was sold to Ineos.

While Smart originally made its name with tiny city cars, all of the models launched since the brand’s rebirth under Geely/Mercedes-Benz stewardship have been 4.2m long or longer. Indeed, the upcoming #6 sedan is around the size of the Toyota Camry.

As such, the Concept #2 marks a return to the brand’s original ethos and is being launched under the “unconventional again” tagline. Interestingly, Smart has skipped over the #4 name in its current model range, suggesting it might follow up the #2 with a longer four-door, four-seat variant that will carry on the ForFour’s dormant lineage.

MORE: Explore the Smart showroom