It’s not easy standing out at the senses-smashing extravaganza of the Beijing Auto Show, but sometimes the smallest scream loudest.
A bright white and gold-accented tiny two-door city car – the Smart #2 Concept – dropped jaws beside an overload of yacht-sized EVs on display.
Rolling on white-clad tyres (why not?) wrapping gold rims extended outside the bodywork, this concept likely looks very close to a Smart #2 production version, set for full reveal at the Paris auto show this October.
It’s a return to the size and style of the icon Smart Fortwo two-seater that became an inner-city star car in the 1990s. But for 2026, the #2 is entirely battery powered: Smart was revived as an EV-only brand under a joint venture between Chinese giant Geely and German powerhouse Mercedes-Benz.
Despite Australian car buyers’ general rejection of tiny city cars, Smart #2’s product manager, Simon LV (his translation from the Chinese), said he considered the new baby EV “80 per cent likely will go to Australia.
It’s a global model, so will be for both left-hand and right-hand drive markets.”
Larger Smart #1 and #3 SUVs are currently distributed in Australia by LSH Auto through only three showrooms – Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – as part of their Mercedes-Benz dealerships.
Styling, turning circles and driving range
Let’s not gloss over the myriad cool touches on the #2 Concept. Leather door straps, pixel digital lighting front and rear, contrast colour roof and a front grille panel that resembles a high-end patterned ladies’ handbag.
Most striking is seeing the #2 in profile. It’s a mere 2792mm – very close and actually a smidge longer than the original Smart Fortwo – with practically zero overhangs. It looks like you could pick it up and it’d fit in your pocket.
The benefits for city parking are obvious – you can park its rear wheels to the kerb – while turning circle is a truly tight 6.95 metres. Sadly, it was a locked-door concept with no hint at the interior style.
Simon said he couldn’t yet reveal details on the Smart #2’s motor and battery, but electric range was “around 300km WLTP,” which would be ample for a car unlikely to leave city confines.
Maximum charging speed isn’t known, but a promised 10 to 80 per cent in 20 minutes suggests it’ll be competitive (and the battery a tiddler), while desirable V2L will also feature.
Concept debuts all-new platform
Product lead Simon also revealed #2 is built on a completely new platform. “If you want to build a small car and make it safe enough, you need to choose a new platform,” he explained.
“So Smart decided to develop an in-house platform called ECA (Electric Compact Architecture). It’s completely unique, and won’t be used on other Geely products. There will be no compromise on safety, and we won’t make it a cheap car, like other Geely cars.”
Regardless, an Australian price around $30-35,000 would most likely be a target to be competitive against a BYD Atto 1, GAC Aion UT and Hyundai Inster.
Pictured: the Atto 1
Simon wasn’t shy when asked about the potential for the #2 and scope for variants and other models on that platform.
First one, of course, is a Brabus edition. “Most likely we will have a Brabus (version) because we have a great partnership with them,” he said. Pocket rocket is often overused, but the duo’s history continues, the mashup would seem entirely appropriate there.
How about a rebirthed Smart Roadster?
“It’s an interesting topic,” said Simon. “We had discussions with our designer from the MB (Mercedes-Benz) team, and they are also interested. For now, it’s not in our current portfolio plan, but it’s a very interesting topic.”
Likewise, a convertible version – something also under study – but it appears only a hardtop will be seen at the Paris reveal.
With retro-style EV versions of other Euro legends such as Renaults 4, 5 and Twingo, and Fiat Pandas and 500s, this return to “true” Smart car looks and size is a welcome treat for the car design nostalgics.
