smart is preparing to return to the formula that defined its original city car. The electric smart #2 will have two seats, a targeted 35.7 kWh battery, nearly 300 km of WLTP range and a claimed 10–80 percent DC fast-charge time of less than 20 minutes. These are development targets rather than final homologated specifications.
An electric successor to the fortwo
smart says the #2 will retain the essential features of the fortwo: two doors, two seats, an ultra-compact footprint and rear-wheel drive. The car is intended for narrow urban environments, where a short body and a tight turning circle can matter more than a large boot or rear passenger bench.
The production model is scheduled for its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October 2026. Until the series car is presented, the concept’s appearance should be separated from confirmed technical data. smart has said that the exterior and interior are being shaped by the Mercedes-Benz Global Design Team, while smart’s engineering teams are developing the vehicle.
The ECA platform and turning circle
The smart #2 will use the Electric Compact Architecture, or ECA. It is a platform developed for an ultra-compact battery-electric car rather than an adaptation of an internal-combustion vehicle. Its packaging keeps the electric components within a small footprint and supports the characteristic wheels-at-the-corners stance.
smart has published a concrete manoeuvrability figure: a 6.95-metre turning diameter measured kerb to kerb. That is close to the agility of the previous two-seat smart. In a city, it could make tight turns and parking manoeuvres easier, although the figure does not replace the need to know the final dimensions, visibility and driver-assistance equipment.
The Concept #2 has been presented with a total length of about 2.79 metres. That is a reference for the design concept until smart publishes complete production-model measurements. Wheelbase, width, height and boot capacity have not yet been fully detailed in the platform material.
Range and charging targets
smart is targeting a 35.7 kWh battery for the #2. The intended electric range is nearly 300 km under WLTP, and the DC system is expected to charge from 10 to 80 percent in less than 20 minutes. The words “targeted” and “nearly” matter: the battery, range and charging time still require final validation and homologation.
If those figures are retained, the smart #2 should be more flexible than a city car designed only for short trips. Nearly 300 km WLTP could cover commuting and occasional peri-urban journeys, but real-world consumption depends on temperature, speed, traffic, gradients and heating or air-conditioning use. A small battery can also charge quickly, but DC charging access will depend on the market and equipment level.
How it compares with the Renault Twingo E-Tech electric
The Renault Twingo E-Tech electric is a natural comparison because it is also a compact European electric city car. Renault quotes a 27.5 kWh LFP battery and up to 263 km of WLTP range. It uses a 60 kW motor and has four doors and five seats, unlike the two-seat smart #2.
The Twingo uses a 6.6 kW AC charger as standard and can charge from 10 to 100 percent in about four hours and 15 minutes. Its optional Advanced Charge pack adds an 11 kW bidirectional AC charger and a 50 kW DC charger. Renault quotes about 30 minutes for a 10–80 percent DC session with that pack. On paper, the smart’s sub-20-minute target would be quicker, but it is not yet a certified production result.
The body layouts also lead to different types of use. The Twingo can carry rear passengers and is more suitable for a small family. The smart #2 gives up the rear bench for an extremely short exterior format. Neither is universally better; the decision depends on passenger needs, daily distance and access to home or public charging.
Interior direction and safety
The smart Concept #2 interior uses a continuous bench seat and an S-shaped cockpit principle. smart says the approach is designed to use the cabin efficiently and create an open, clearly structured space. Those details describe the design direction and do not confirm every feature of the production vehicle.
The ECA platform also introduces a further development of the tridion safety cell. smart says the structure is intended to combine compact dimensions with modern safety requirements. Development testing covers structural rigidity, crash performance, braking, battery behaviour, software, climate control and durability in different conditions. Euro NCAP results and final safety equipment are not yet available.
Premiere and market timing
smart has scheduled the production model’s world premiere for autumn 2026 in Paris. The company has described Europe as the main market for the new city car, but it has not announced a price, opening date for Romanian orders or delivery schedule.
The image used here is an official smart Concept #2 image stored locally as a WebP asset. It illustrates the concept and should not be mistaken for a final series-car photograph.
The smart #2 is intended to bring a two-seat electric car back in a more capable format than the old electric fortwo. Its range and charging targets could exceed the Renault Twingo’s published figures, but they remain targets until final homologation. For buyers, the key decision will be between the strict urban efficiency of a two-seater and the wider flexibility of a four-door car with a rear bench.
