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Smart, the electric brand formed by automotive power couple Mercedes-Benz and Geely, is hinting that the arrival its smallest car the #2 is near as colour murals appear around the world including Australia.
Paris, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Melbourne have all seen advertisements in the form of hand painted murals pop up in their cities recently.
Melbourne’s version features the small red two-door hatch against a backdrop of the city’s landmarks including Flinders St Station and a tram with the tagline “It’s back #2.”
Has the Smart #2 been here before?
The only Smart models currently available are the #1 small SUV and the #3 mid-sized SUV. The “It’s back” tagline is referring to the original Smart Fortwo tiny hatch which was popular in Australia when the brand first landed here more than 20 years ago.
The Smart #2 is only 100mm longer than the original Fortwo at a diminutive 2792mm end-to-end and also has just two seats but this time around it will be a bench seat which the company says creates more cabin room.
The little city hatch will be fully electric and is expected to have a 35kWh battery and about 300km of driving range from a full charge. Fast DC charging from 10-80 percent will take just 20 minutes, Smart says.
Smart Global CMO Kang Yi, said the Smart #2 was designed to express individuality and playfulness.
“The Smart #2 is the evolution of a revolution,” he said
“We designed this vehicle to bring playfulness, premium sophistication, and effortless agility back to the modern urban jungle. By teasing our defining halo product through this unconventional artistic exposure, we are building immense anticipation for its return and showcasing our commitment to creating vehicles that are not just means of transportation, but true expressions of individuality.”
When will the Smart #2 arrive in Australia?
The Smart #2 will make its global debut at the Paris motor show in October.
As for its arrival locally despite the marketing proclaiming the Smart #2 to be back in Melbourne, Smart's Australian distributor told CarsGuide the vehicle was not confirmed for our market.
If it was to launch here it wouldn't be until 2027.
