Smart 3 News

If you think Chinese car brands can't teach Toyota, Ford or GM anything about making vehicles better, think again!

Many so-called “all-new” models aren’t all that new. In fact, a sizeable chunk are reskinned versions of what came before, with fresh sheetmetal over the same general hard points.

The Smart #1 is a good car, an impressive one, even — and yes, you pronounce it ‘Hashtag one’. This comes as a surprise as many first efforts from electric car manufacturers fresh to mature markets such as Australia and Europe have been disappointing.So often there’s a compromised suspension set-up, poor steering feel, software bugs or awful driver assistance systems. None of that in the #1, which is packed with technology, has decent driving range and very pleasant steering. It also looks quirky — in a good way, my art director partner tells me — and has one of the best ride and handling balances of any electric car on sale. It is quite good value, too, the Premium I sampled costs $58,900, before on-road costs and has 19-inch alloy wheels, synthetic leather upholstery, power adjust seats with heating, a heat pump, a Beats sound system and luxury ambience to rival Benz’s entry-level EQA, which is $30,000 more expensive. The #1 is also cheaper than a petrol-powered base model Mercedes-Benz GLA 200. You really have to want that Merc badge.Electric stats are decent, the #1 Premium has a 66kWh battery allied with a 200kW/343Nm rear-mounted electric motor for a brisk 0-100km/h sprint of 6.7 seconds and respectable 440km WLTP driving range. A more powerful Brabus variant is available but the regular #1 is plenty fast. There’s also a more distinctive coupe-like #3 available in a lewd Photon Orange paint that really stands out. To be fair, the Smart #1 had its fair share of gremlins. Twice during my week with the car the screen went dark and interfacing with the multimedia system (mostly to disable active safety systems) was like pulling teeth — it would be nice if the cute digital fox actually did something helpful. Hopefully, over-the-air software updates can fix these niggles. There’s also the back seats, which you can’t fold flat from the boot. The pull tabs to raise the backrest end up out of reach when they are folded, so you can’t pull them back up. Annoying and not salvageable by software updates. The real elephant in the room for Smart is the brand’s meaning today. Certainly if the #1 was in a room otherwise filled with Smart’s back catalogue like the minuscule 2.5-metre long ForTwo, or the 840kg Smart Roadster. An ultra-quick back-story of the brand: it started as a 49/51 joint venture between Swatch Watch’s owner, Hayek, and Daimler-Mercedes. The tiny ForTwo launched in 1998 as a response to the new millennium. Efficient, small and affordable but with endless customisation and pops of colour to make the chic urbanite use the car as a fashion accessory as much as a mode of transport. The latter new Mini and Fiat 500 did better jobs, but the Smart was a trailblazer. Smart became a Mercedes subsidiary after that and, in 2019, Chinese automotive giant Geely bought a 50 per cent stake, reinvigorating the range with what you see here — electric-only, semi-luxury SUVs.That’s pretty much the same space as a Volvo EX30, Polestar 2 and Zeekr X, which are all related to both of Smart’s new models. Outside of them, the circa-$60K electric car price bracket includes other small electric SUVs like the Hyundai Kona electric, the Renault Megane E-Tech and BYD Atto 3, with bigger models like the Tesla Model Y, XPeng G6, Deepal S07 and incoming BYD Sealion 7 also in the same price sphere. What a nightmare!Aside from being quite accomplished and having cute animal avatars like the Fox (or optional Cheetah), there isn’t a whole lot about Smart’s ethos that stands out — at least to my radar. There’s certainly less brand cachet than Audi, BMW, Lexus or Mercedes-Benz. That leaves the success of these new entrants, in what will be a shrinking new-car market come 2025, down to a combination of price and brand awareness. Smart has a leg-up on the price game as it is not imported by Mercedes-Benz Australia, which runs a fixed-price agency model. Instead, LSH Auto — one of the largest Mercedes-Benz dealer groups — is importing the cars. This means, in theory, discounting should be possible. Sharing dealership space with Mercs could be good, or could be negative, it all depends on the service and shopping experience. But they will probably be more visible than other new Chinese brands not associated with existing luxury brands. Will Smart succeed? Out of all the new names in the game, the tie-in with a legacy manufacturer gives it a semblance of sales security. However, if the cars don’t stand out to buyers, or aren’t priced right, it could go south fast. Let me know your feelings, are you comfortable taking a chance on an unknown brand? What kind of features would draw you in? Do you care about brand ethos? Have your say in the comments section. 

Another week, another new car company joins the Australian market.

Australia and New Zealand's independent assessor of vehicle safety, ANCAP, has awarded the Smart #1 and Smart #3 SUVs respective five-star safety rating

Smart has locked in pricing and release timing for the #1 and #3 – pronounced 'hashtag one' and 'hashtag three' – electric small SUVs for late 2024.Starting at $54,900, before on-road costs, and topping out at $67,900 for the flagship 315kW Brabus. The Smart models will be available to buy from select LSH Auto dealerships in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.The new Smart brand is a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Chinese automotive giant Geely which also owns Volvo and Polestar.It is not imported by Mercedes-Benz, however. Rather LSH auto, an owner of many 'Benz dealer franchises.While the two Smarts aren't identical in dimensions, the wagon-styled #1 has only a 35mm shorter wheelbase than the coupe-like #3.Both are available in three trim levels – Pro+, Premium and Brabus – with a 66kWh battery. The #1's driving range varies between 400-440km (WLTP) and the #3 peaks at 455km in Premium trim.The Pro+ trim is equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, wireless smartphone mirroring, a power tailgate and panoramic sunroof.A single rear-mounted 200kW/343Nm electric motor shared with the Premium sees the #1 hit 100km/h in 6.7 seconds, while the slipperier #3 completes the dash in 5.8 seconds.Moving up to the Premium ($58,900 or $61,900 for #3) adds a 640-watt Beats sound system, synthetic leather upholstery and a heat pump, gaining an extra 20km of WLTP driving range.Brabus variants get a second motor for 315kW and 543Nm with the #3 hitting 100km/h in 3.7 seconds.The Brabus does not have major chassis upgrades or adaptive dampers but adds red brake calipers, synthetic suede upholstery with red accents, different body styling and Brabus drive mode. For the #3, the Brabus gets 20-inch alloy wheels.The #1 and #3 are based on the same 'SEA2' underpinnings as the Volvo EX30 but share rather different dimensions, such as the Smart's 100mm longer wheelbase.“We are certain that the extensive and highly appealing smart range will build a unique position in the Australian market for those wishing to add electric mobility to their lifestyle," said LSH Auto Australia MD John Good.When the premium-pitched electric Smarts arrive, they will do battle with the BYD Atto 3, Hyundai Kona electric and Renault Megane E-Tech.2024 Smart range pricingAll prices are before on-road costs

Smart’s relaunch in Australia as a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely is heating up with initial specifications revealed for its #1 and #3 – pronounced 'hashtag one' and 'hashtag three' – electric car range.The #1 small EV offers between 400-440km WLTP driving range from its 66kWh battery pack while the larger #3 is certified at up to 455km.Final pricing is yet to be determined but this semi-premium electric carmaker is targeting the BYD Atto 3, Renault Megane E-Tech and Volvo EX30 when it arrives in the third quarter (July-September) of this year. The Smart #1 uses the same Geely 'SEA2' platform as the Volvo EX30 and Zeekr X, though its wheelbase (2750mm) is 100mm longer than the Volvo. It also features different battery capacity and motor outputs, making it more than an EX30 clone. Visually, the #1 shares little with Smart cars of the past but attempts to stand out with its ‘CyberSparks’ LED headlight design. The base Pro+ also features a ‘Smart Pilot Assist’ driver aid system and a panoramic sunroof. The Pro+ and Premium RWD share a rear-mounted 200kW motor and 64kWh (66kWh gross) NCM lithium-ion battery. The battery can recuperate at up to 150kW (DC) taking around 30 minutes from 10-80 per cent. Despite both having aero-design 19-inch alloy wheels, the #1 Premium’s standard heat pump ups WLTP range to 440km from 420km. The Premium also promises a Beats sound system and synthetic ‘Duo-leather’ upholstery. Both models have a BYD meets Mercedes-Benz design language inside, with a 12.8-inch touchscreen running Geely’s 'ECARX' operating system instead of the Zeekr and Volvo’s Android Automotive set-up. The line-up is headlined by a twin motor Brabus variant able to sprint from rest to 100km/h in a claimed 3.9 seconds – 2.8 seconds faster than the Pro and Premium. Think of this as an electric version of the Mercedes-AMG GLA45.Smart is expected to target a circa-$60,000 start price for the #1, pitting it directly against the Volvo EX30 (from $59,900, before on-road costs). It is a little longer than the Volvo with boxier proportions and a 313L boot. The #3 is bigger again, though the coupe-styled SUV is still smaller than a Tesla Model Y – these models are looking to hit the BYD Atto 3. The base grade Pro+ has a similar list of features to the #1, while the Premium adds unique alloy wheels, matrix LED headlights and a 10-inch head-up display. At the top of the tree, again, is the Brabus. This time the 315kW punch gets the #3 to 100km/h even faster, at 3.7 seconds (claimed) and it matches cabin equipment with heated and ventilated synthetic suede upholstered front seats. Larger 20-inch alloys make an appearance, too. Both models have been complied locally with a smaller 49kWh LFP battery pack, as well, though these models are not on the website. If they do arrive, a sub-$50K start price could be possible.In Australia, Smart vehicles will be imported by LSH Auto known for owning Mercedes-Benz dealerships locally. The vehicles will appear in 'Benz CBD dealerships in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, initially. 

Another electric car brand is headed to Australia this year.Smart is back after exiting our shores about a decade ago. Gone are the micro cars of the first instalment and in their place are a range of city-focused electric cars produced by a joint venture with Mercedes-Benz and Geely in China.The Smart #1 and Smart #3 are confirmed to arrive in Australia in the third quarter of this year.The #1 and #3 are built on the same platform but the #1 is a conventionally shaped compact SUV and the #3 is a coupe-style SUV of the same size.Both use a 66kWh lithium-ion battery that delivers a driving range of up to 440km on a single charge.They use a single electric motor that sends 200kW and 343Nm to the rear wheels.An all-wheel-drive performance version wearing the Brabus badge is available overseas.Smart hasn’t revealed prices yet but it’s expected to have an entry price that is highly competitive with current non-premium EV offerings of similar size.This could point to a circa-$50,000 starting point to match the BYD Atto 3.The Smart #1 is a conventionally shaped compact SUV.Smart has set up its own operations in Australia and will sell the vehicles through LSH Auto Australia, a network of dealers in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane that currently distribute Mercedes-Benz products.Global Chief Marketing Officer of Smart Mandy Zhang said the brand is planning a global expansion.“The Australian market holds significant potential for growth, and with LSH Auto Australia’s extensive local resources and expertise, we are excited to join hands,” said Zhang.The Federal Government’s new National Vehicle Efficiency Standard is a big reason for Smart re-entering our market.Under the new legislation car brands will be fined for every vehicle they sell that emit CO2 over a certain level, which will make petrol and diesel cars more expensive and EVs more competitive.Smart is the latest of many EV brands out of China to announce its headed our way.This includes GAC, Leapmotor, Skywell, Xpeng and Zeekr.Geely has a wide portfolio of electric cars. It owns Volvo and Polestar, which are both available in Australia, and its Zeekr brand will be here by the end of the year.