Smart #1 EV by Geely and Daimler Unveiled

The Chinese influence in global auto market continues to expand at a rapid pace. Not only in shape of Chinese own brands, but the popular global brands which are now under the influence of Chinese automakers. Volvo, MG and Lotus being the prime examples where Chinese were not just able to successfully revive the brands but injected a new life in them.

The latest addition to the list is Smart, the small car brand once fully owned by Daimler but is now jointly owned by Geely and Daimler. Under the partnership, the new generation of pure electric Smart vehicles will be designed by Mercedes-Benz global design team while Geely’s global R&D network will be responsible for the engineering and development of the new models.

The company has now officially unveiled its first car, which isn’t a two-seater micro car like most previous Smart models, but an electric SUV called #1 “hashtag one”. The #1 EV sits on Geely’s SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) electric-vehicle platform which already underpins the Zeekr 001 and the Lotus Eletre, and will be used in many other upcoming cars of Geely, Polestar, Volvo, and Lynk & Co. The Smart #1 is manufactured in Geely’s brand new factory in Xi’an, China.

The #1 measures 4,270 mm long, 1,822 mm wide and 1,636 mm tall with a 2,750 mm wheelbase. The car will be initially offered in rear-wheel-drive form only, producing 200 kW (272 hp) of power and 343 Nm of torque from its single motor which will help achieve a top speed of 180 km/h. An all-wheel-drive variant will be offered later.