28-Year Legacy Reimagined: smart fortwo Reborn as Pure Electric with smart #2 Global Debut Slated for Paris Motor Show in October

[BitAuto News] The smart brand's iconic two-seater city car is set for a fully electric revival. The all-new smart #2 is scheduled to make its global debut at the Paris Motor Show on 12 October 2026—precisely 28 years after the original smart fortwo first broke cover at the 1998 edition of the same show. As one of smart's most quintessential models, the fortwo earned global acclaim for its ultra-compact two-seater packaging. Now, the smart #2 is poised to carry forward this legendary lineage with pure electric power.

Back in 1998, the first-generation smart fortwo made its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show, redefining urban mobility with an overall length of around 2.5 metres and a distinctive two-seater layout. Over the decades, the fortwo evolved into the defining hallmark of the smart marque, amassing more than two million owners worldwide.

With the automotive industry accelerating towards electrification, smart officially announced in September 2025 that it was developing an all-new electric two-seater microcar, the smart #2, signalling the marque's return to its iconic ultra-compact city car roots. At the time, smart stated that the newcomer would debut globally in late 2026, and subsequently confirmed that the production-ready smart #2 will formally make its global premiere at the Paris Motor Show on 12 October 2026.

In April 2026, the smart Concept #2 broke cover in Beijing, offering a preview of the production model's styling direction. In August of the same year, smart showcased design cues of the smart #2 through global street-art campaigns across cities including Shanghai, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, and Melbourne, with further showcases lined up for Berlin and Paris.

Penned by the Mercedes-Benz global design team, the smart #2 delivers a contemporary interpretation of the fortwo's classic design DNA. The new model retains hallmark traits such as its two-door, two-seater configuration and 'wheel-at-each-corner' stance, whilst adopting an ultra-compact footprint to steer the classic city runabout into the EV era. Latest official technical details reveal that the smart #2 will measure under 3 metres in length, featuring a rear-wheel-drive layout with a 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution. It rides on a five-link independent rear suspension setup paired with staggered tyre sizes—narrower at the front and wider at the rear—striking an ideal balance between nimble handling and road stability.

In terms of city agility, the smart #2 boasts a turning circle diameter of just 6.95 metres, making it exceptionally manoeuvrable through tight streets and into cramped parking spaces. In markets like Hong Kong, where narrow streets and scarce parking are the norm, this ultra-compact footprint and agile handling will undoubtedly be major selling points for the smart #2.

Underpinning the smart #2 is the brand's proprietary, purpose-built ECA (Electric Compact Architecture) dedicated EV platform. Developed specifically for ultra-compact two-seater vehicles, the platform optimises cabin space, battery packaging, structural safety, and dynamic performance within a sub-3-metre frame.

According to the latest technical data released by smart, the new model will be fitted with a 35.8 kWh battery pack utilising CATL cells, targeting a combined WLTP range of approximately 290 km. It also supports DC fast charging, capable of replenishing the battery from 10% to 80% in around 20 minutes. The carmaker emphasised that these range and output figures remain preliminary targets, with final specifications subject to post-homologation confirmation.

On the powertrain front, the ECA platform incorporates a highly integrated 11-in-1 electric drive unit that combines the drive motor, power electronics, and control modules into a single compact assembly. This dramatically reduces mechanical packaging requirements, freeing up vital space within the ultra-compact bodyshell.

Another key highlight of the smart #2 is its newly engineered Tridion Cell Evo safety body structure. Official data indicates that high-strength steel accounts for over 78% of the vehicle's body structure, reinforced with a three-layer steel configuration where select materials deliver a tensile strength of up to 1,800 MPa. Torsional rigidity is rated at 39,000 Nm/deg, while the roof structure can withstand loads exceeding 4 tonnes. Occupant protection is further bolstered by seven airbags and a restraint system incorporating PLP (Pyrotechnic Lap Pretensioner) and CLT (Crash Locking Tongue) seatbelt technologies to enhance crash safety.

Furthermore, the smart #2 has completed rigorous vehicle dynamics and stability testing, including the moose test, validating its handling precision and poise across both congested urban streets and high-speed motorways. When smart first announced the project in 2025, it confirmed that the new model will be manufactured in China and slated for release across China, Europe, and other overseas markets, with Europe positioned as its primary market.

From the original fortwo's Paris Motor Show debut in 1998 to the smart #2's world premiere in Paris in 2026, this legendary two-seater city car makes a triumphant return 28 years on. As smart completes its transition from ICE to an all-electric lineup, whether this sub-3-metre pure electric microcar can redefine urban mobility will be revealed this October at the Paris Motor Show.

Source: smart Official Newsroom

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