The City Car
When the Smart ForTwo came out decades ago, it ushered in a new era for proper micro city cars. It practically invented the segment, and was born out of the need to zip around a heavily congested city, mainly sold in Europe. However, the micro-car segment went through tough times, with people still opting for more size, but the emergence of EV propulsion has given micro-cars a second life.
Smart as a brand has continued to exist by offering slightly bigger cars but still staying true to the core beliefs of smaller mobility. More recently, though, it has been developing a new micro-car in the spirit of the original ForTwo, which has just been leaked ahead of launch.
China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
#2 Replaces ForTwo
The ForTwo model was last sold back in 2024, but sales in North America ended even earlier, as far back as the late 2010s. Instead of reviving the nameplate, the brand has chosen to call the new micro-car the #2 following the current naming process of Smart. In any case, the development of the #2 is a joint-venture project between Mercedes-Benz and Chinese automaker Geely, which all but informs us that China will get the #2.
In fact, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) just released a slew of automotive filings which include details of the new #2. According to Car News China, the official global launch is expected to happen sometime in October of this year. The #2 will primarily be a city EV with seating capacity limited to 2 people; its dimensions are 2,751 mm and 2,764 mm. It will have a width of 1,669 mm and a height of 1,555 mm, with a wheelbase of 1,875 mm.
Power will come from a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, with individual cells produced by CATL and the total assembly managed by Geely. It will make around 80 hp and have a top speed of 140 km/h. Its 35.7 kWh battery pack has a WLTP range of 186 miles, which is double the previous range of the now-gone ForTwo.
China Ministry of Industry and Information Technology
City Murals
The filings also indicate that buyers will be able to choose between different aesthetic combinations for the #2. Specifically, it will have two rim size choices in 15-inch and 16-inch form; there are also different rim designs to choose from, as well as body-colored or black colored roof options. Looking closer at the fillings also seems to point out that a lower variant will have no radars or front camera.
With the official launch in October just around the corner, Smart has begun its global marketing campaign prior to the launch. In some major cities across the globe, murals depicting the Smart #2 have been revealed with the words “It’s Back.” It is believed that these murals will be placed in China, Australia, South America, and most of continental Europe.
Smart
