New Smart #1 – A Reborn, Funky EV with Impressive Style.

New Smart #1 –  A Reborn Funky EV with Impressive Style.

The newly introduced Smart #1 is the first product of a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and the Chinese car maker Geely Holding Group to reinvent the brand as an electric car specialist. Smart was once derived from the co-operation of the Swiss watch company Swatch and Mercedes-Benz (Swatch Mercedes ART). Smart predominantly made small two-seater city cars since 1998, with an emphasis on low running costs, compact dimensions, and smart engineering. The original Smart cars were never distributed in Ireland but a small number of Smart cars were imported over the years.

Impressive Specification.

There are four trim levels starting with the entry level Pro trim, which comes with a fixed glass roof, attractive 19” three-spoke alloy wheels, LED head and tail lights, an electric tailgate, auto lights and wipers, adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control, ambient interior lighting and a 12.8-inch infotainment screen. The Pro + trim comes with the larger battery pack as does the Premium trim which also includes matrix LED headlights, a heads-up display and more importantly, a heat pump. The top trim Brabus is the four-wheel drive edition, which adds a sportier exterior and interior design along with all the equipment that Premium trim gives. All versions can currently charge at up to 150kW, which means a 10 to 80 per-cent top-up in less than 30 minutes.

Single, or Dual Electric Motors.

The Smart #1 uses the versatile Geely ‘Sustainable Engineering Architecture’ (SEA) platform which underpins the body, and this platform is shared with the new Volvo EX30. There are two power outputs with the Smart #1; the standard single electric motor, rear-wheel drive model with 268bhp that is available with Pro, Pro+ and Premium trims, or the high-performance Brabus model with two electric motors, which provides four-wheel drive (4WD) and 422bhp.  Impressively, all versions of the #1 come with front and rear parking sensors, and a 360-degree bird’s eye view camera to help with parking.

Aerodynamic Exterior.

The exterior design of the #1 has a definite European influence, with the V-shaped headlights, and tail-lights that are connected by a light bar which resembles the Mercedes-Benz EQ models. The #1 features plenty of aerodynamic enhancements, such as the part closed-off wheels and flush door handles. Other than that, the #1 plays with more rounded shapes, frameless windows and up-swept sills which minimise drag and optimise efficiency.

Bright & Airy Cabin.

The interior of the #1 is spacious, bright and airy, with a multi-adjustable seating position and a large fixed glass roof that floods the cabin with light. The car offers a pleasant and usable interior with plenty of headroom for both front and rear passengers, but rear space is relatively limited for long-legged passengers. Fabrics and other materials used are of high quality, and the car feels nicely put together. Storage is good, with a chilled central cubby, and under-console storage, as well as cup holders, phone tray (with charge pad) and a glasses holder in the roof. Plus, the phone tray and cup holders can be closed when not in use, which is nice for both a tidy aesthetic, as well as security. There’s LED lighting embedded around the cabin, even in the speaker vents, which can all be adjusted to a near-infinite degree. The sunroof blind can be opened and closed manually, or through the infotainment screen. The relatively low dashboard and slim A pillars help aid forward visibility, while the clean, uncluttered aesthetic makes the interior feel fresh and modern. As with most modern EVs, many of the conventional controls have been transferred to the central touchscreen, and this is joined by a digital driver display that is clear and legible. The infotainment system, complete with a fox that acts as your virtual assistant, is user-friendly and fairly responsive. The boot has a capacity of 313-litres, with a 15-litre frunk (front trunk) under the bonnet for storing the charging cables.

Test Car.

My test car was a Smart #1 Premium with a 69kWh battery pack and a single rear-mounted electric motor which produces 272hp with 384Nm of torque. The car looked spectacular in its two-tone Eclipse Black with Lazer Red Metallic paint, and it proved itself to be a real head-turner on the road. The #1 is very well equipped across all trim levels, with occupant safety featuring high on its priority list. Standard safety features include Automatic High Beam Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Detection, Emergency Brake Assist and Emergency Lane keep Assist to mention a few. The single motor #1 with the 69kWh battery can officially sprint from 0-100km/h in a nippy 6.7 seconds, and it feels even quicker in reality. The steering is well balanced with a natural response, and the motor is fairly quiet, while the regenerative braking function provides an even greater braking force to the well-judged brake pedal when selected. You can adjust the amount of regenerative force and even opt for a one-pedal mode if desired. The car feels sharp and responsive at all times, even in its default drive mode. There are three drive modes to choice from Eco, Comfort and Sport with a further option of light, medium or heavy steering, with the latter providing the best weight and response for daily use. There is plenty of power for motorway driving, but it is in stop-start city driving where the #1 finds its comfort, as it feels very useable and manageable in terms of both power and delivery. The car’s 182mm ride height affords a comfortable and easy ride, even over poor surfaces.

Verdict, Price & Warranty.

The new Smart #1 looks different to previous Smart cars in every way possible. It is  good to drive, loaded with clever technology and very well constructed. It is a very comfortable and practical EV that can be charged more quickly than many of its rivals. With prices starting at €37,479 for the entry level Pro, what’s not to like? My test car specification is priced from €48,332. A 3-year warranty comes as standard, as does an 8-year battery warranty (T’s & C’s apply). Visit www.smartelectric.ie for further information.