Huge electric twist for 2026 Smart #2 city car icon as potential future challenger to BYD Atto 1 and Chery QQ

The iconic Smart car has been spied in camouflage ahead of its return in China.

The Smart #2 is a tiny electric two-seater city car, and will be the closest thing to the iconic Smart ForTwo made by the brand since.

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It is expected to be officially unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show later this month, with a European launch scheduled for 2027.

Smart Australia has confirmed there are no plans for the car to launch domestically at this stage, with an immediate focus on Chinese and European markets.

If it ever did come to Australia, it would have to be one of the most affordable electric cars in the country to be competitive. It would need to challenge the BYD Atto 1, which has a starting price of $23,990 (before on-road costs). 

The budget EV space has been growing in Australia, with more offerings representing competitive deals around the $30K bracket.

The incoming MG4 Urban and just-launched GAC Aion UT both start from $31,990, while the Chery QQ3 is anticipated to launch with a similar, if not cheaper, price tag. However, the Smart #2 is even smaller than these rivals. 

This means it would almost be in a league of its own if it were to launch Down Under.

There is limited other confirmed information available about the car, but it is rumoured to have a single rear-mounted electric motor producing 30kW, according to CarNews China. 

It measures up at less than three metres long, with a wheelbase of less than two metres. 

The #2 is the latest of the brand's reboot, which has seen several vehicles spawn as the product of a joint venture between Geely and Mercedes-Benz. 

Smart currently has two models on sale in Australia which are the #1 hatchback and the #3 crossover. The more rugged #5 SUV is expected to join the range later this year.