Smart previews return of two-seater with Concept #2 EV

Compact car brand Smart has unveiled its Concept #2 at a global brand event in Beijing, previewing the return of its two-seater in electric form.

Originally founded as a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and watchmaker Swatch and now jointly owned by Mercedes-Benz and China’s Geely, the brand is repositioning itself as a premium electric vehicle maker. The Concept #2 signals a shift back to its urban roots, with a production version expected to debut at the Paris Motor Show in 2026.

Smart says the Concept #2 is designed to combine city usability with a more expressive design approach.

Styled by the Mercedes-Benz Global Design Team, the concept adopts Smart’s “Love, Pure, Unexpected” design language, featuring a compact silhouette, bold proportions and a matte white and gold two-tone finish with layered detailing.

At just 2792mm long, the Concept #2 retains a small footprint but uses a wheels-at-the-corners layout to maximise interior space. A 6.95-metre turning circle is aimed at improving manoeuvrability in urban environments.

The concept sits on Smart’s new Electric Compact Architecture (ECA), a dedicated platform developed to underpin future compact EVs.

While still in concept form, Smart is targeting a driving range of around 300km, along with fast-charging capability that could take the battery from 10 to 80% in under 20 minutes. Vehicle-to-load functionality is also included.

Smart Europe chief executive Wolfgang Ufer says the concept marks the start of a new chapter for the brand.

He says the Concept #2 reflects how European customers live and move, with a focus on agility, efficiency and ease of use.