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The production-ready Smart #2 has leaked through Chinese regulatory filings, giving the world its first real look at the two-seat electric microcar months before its official Paris Motor Show debut in October 2025. The images and specs confirm the tiny EV as a true successor to the original Fortwo, which was discontinued in 2024 after three generations.
Smart, the 50/50 joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, has been teasing the #2 for months. The Concept #2 appeared in April 2025, followed by a European showing in Rome in June. But the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology filing shows the actual showroom version with production lights, bumpers and trim. It reveals a car that measures just 2,751mm or 2,764mm in length (depending on configuration), 1,669mm wide and 1,555mm tall on a 1,875mm wheelbase. That makes it the smallest vehicle in Smart’s current lineup by a wide margin, and the first that isn’t shaped like a compact SUV.
The #2 rides on a dedicated Electric Compact Architecture built at Geely’s Zhejiang Haoqing plant. It retains the contrast-colour tridion safety cell that defined the original Fortwo, but redesigned for the electric era. Styling comes from the Mercedes-Benz global design team, giving the microcar a premium, playful look that nods to the brand’s Swatch-Mercedes-Art origins.
Powertrain and range that finally make sense
A rear-mounted 60kW motor from Infimotion drives the rear wheels, pushing the 1,130kg curb weight to a top speed of 140km/h (87mph). The battery is a 35.7kWh LFP pack using CATL cells, good for a claimed 300km (186 miles) on the WLTP cycle. That’s roughly triple the real-world range of the last electric Fortwo, which struggled to cover 100km in daily use. The new pack supports 10-80% charging in under 20 minutes and includes vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, letting owners power small devices or tools from the car.
The range improvement is a game-changer for urban microcars. The original Fortwo EV’s limited range was a major reason it stayed a niche product, especially in the US where it was never officially sold. The #2’s 300km WLTP figure makes it a viable daily driver for city dwellers, and even short highway trips between suburbs.
Personalisation and tech options
The Chinese filing’s options list points to heavy personalisation. Buyers can choose black, body-colour or hardtop roofs, two wheel-and-tyre sizes, and various trim and lighting packages. Radars and cameras can be deleted on base versions, suggesting a no-frills entry-level model. The car also gets a redeveloped version of the tridion safety cell, which was a signature of the original Fortwo.
Street art campaign builds hype
Smart has been teasing the #2 through a global mural campaign, commissioning street artists to paint the car onto walls in Melbourne, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Buenos Aires. Berlin’s East Side Gallery and Paris murals are still to come. “The smart #2 is the evolution of a revolution,” says Smart global chief marketing officer Kang Yi. “We designed this vehicle to bring playfulness, premium sophistication, and effortless agility back to the modern urban jungle.”
Pricing and market: US chances remain slim
The #2 will launch in China and Europe. European pricing is expected to start below €22,500 (about $24,500 at current exchange rates, or roughly $44,000 NZD in the original article’s context). Chinese-built EVs face the European Union’s countervailing tariffs, which could push the price higher. Right-hand drive production is planned for the UK, which would clear the main hurdle for markets like Australia and New Zealand.
For the US market, the outlook is uncertain. Smart currently sells the #1 and #3 SUVs in China and Europe, but has no US presence. The original Fortwo was sold in the US from 2008 to 2019, but its electric version never made it to American shores. The #2’s sub-2.8-metre length and 87mph top speed would likely struggle to meet US crash-test standards and consumer expectations for highway performance. However, the growing interest in ultra-compact EVs for dense urban environments could change the calculus. If Smart ever decides to enter the US market, the #2 would be a natural candidate for cities like New York, San Francisco or Boston.
2027 deliveries after Paris debut
Deliveries of the Smart #2 are scheduled to begin in 2027, following the Paris Motor Show premiere in October 2025. That timeline gives Smart nearly two years to fine-tune production, finalise pricing and expand its global distribution network. Whether the #2 finds a place in American garages remains to be seen, but it’s already shaping up to be the most compelling micro EV since the original Fortwo.
Updated April 7, 2025
