Is smart a Mercedes-Benz?
2 Answers
smart is not a Mercedes-Benz; smart is the Smart car brand, which is an ultra-compact microcar. Taking the 2019 smart fortwo as an example, its body dimensions are: length 2695mm, width 1663mm, height 1555mm, wheelbase 1873mm, fuel tank capacity 33l, and curb weight 956kg. The 2019 smart fortwo features a front McPherson independent suspension and a rear torsion beam non-independent suspension. It is equipped with a 0.9l turbocharged engine, delivering a maximum horsepower of 90ps, maximum power of 66kw, and maximum torque of 135nm, paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission.
I've been driving for nearly twenty years and have a clear understanding of brand relationships. Back then, smart was indeed a brand under Mercedes-Benz, and those compact fuel-powered cars all bore the Mercedes emblem. Later, Mercedes-Benz partnered with Geely for the new energy transition, and the two formed a 50-50 joint venture to establish a new company. Nowadays, the smart #1 electric vehicle series on the market utilizes Geely's platform technology. Although the car emblem still retains Mercedes' design elements, strictly speaking, smart is now an independent brand co-operated by both companies. Similar to the relationship between Volkswagen and Audi—same group but different positioning—smart now follows a trendy electric route, creating a distinct gap from Mercedes-Benz's luxury vehicle lineup.
