Smart #1 and #3 EVs launch in Australia

BY COBEY BARTELS | 30th Aug 2024

QUIRKY German-Chinese brand Smart has returned to Australia with its #1 and #3 (pronounced hashtag one and three) through established Mercedes-Benz distributor LSH Auto, swinging the order books wide open and delivering cars from September.

Mercedes-Benz’ global design team are responsible for the development of the Smart #1 and #3, but they are built by Geely in China. We were told, though, by Smart’s global marketing boss Mandy Zhang that the cars get their own production line.

In terms of the two models and their core focus, the #1 is aimed at inner-city users wanting a spacious compact SUV, while the #3 offers a slightly less practical sportback option and a more dynamic experience.

The #1 is available in three trim grades Pro +, Premium and Brabus. The base Pro+ is priced at $54,900, the Premium at $58,900 and the Brabus jumps to $67,900 – all before on-road costs.

Pro+ and Premium models receive a single-motor driving the rear wheels, powered by a 66kWh battery, with identical outputs of 200kW/343Nm. The WLTP driving range is quoted as 420km for the Pro+ and 440km for the Premium, with both models supporting 150kW DC fast charging for sub-30 minute top-ups.

Brabus models score a dual-motor, all-wheel drive setup that punches out 315kW/543Nm, fed by the same 66kWh battery but somehow still good for 400km of range. It will accelerate to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds, making it a seriously quick SUV, compared to the single-motor models that take 6.7 seconds to top triple figures.

The #1 is based on Geely’s SEA EV platform, with a wheelbase of 2750mm and a 4270mm length (4300mm for the Brabus) that maximises interior space – a Smart design focus dating back to its original ForTwo models – for up to 986 litres of storage and impressive legroom.

It is slippery too, with a drag coefficient of 0.29Cd, despite being the boxier of the two models, designed to maximise driving range using tried-and-tested aerodynamics.

On the sportier side, the #3 sits atop a slightly extended version of the SEA platform with a wheelbase of 2785mm and overall length of 4400mm, but with a coupe-style body shape and slightly more premium features.

The same three variants are offered, with identical power outputs of 200kW/343Nm for Pro+ and Premium models, while the Brabus gets the punchier 315kW/543Nm setup.

Despite the #3 models being heavier (aside from base Pro+) it accelerates faster than its stablemate, with single-motor variants reaching 100km/h in 5.8 seconds and the Brabus in 3.7 seconds.

The smart #3 is a little exxier again, with the Pro+ priced at $57,900, the Premium at $61,900 and the BRABUS at $70,900 – also excluding on-road costs.

Design themes are shared across both model lines, merging technology and aesthetics for features like the speckled ‘CyberSparks’ matrix LED headlights while Brabus options are surprisingly brutish with bonnet vents, loads of badging and red trim, and arch-filling wheel fitment.

Interior layouts of both models are similar, with a high-tech infotainment offering and plenty of premium materials used throughout the cabin.

A sculpted dashboard features a 12.8-inch screen across models with the usual wireless phone connectivity. Smart opted for a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chipset to run the technology side of things, which is apparently the “strongest mass-produced” option.

Of course, all models receive the full suite of ADAS technology, however it was “independently developed” and is not shared with Mercedes-Benz models, as confirmed by Smart’s global marketing boss Mandy Zhang.

All cars have a European NCAP five-star rating, but ANCAP testing is on the cards, LSH executives told GoAuto at the launch event.

There is a smaller battery option available overseas, which presents a cheaper entry-model option, which LSH said is “not off the table” but the distributor did not confirm whether it was in talks with Smart to bring the budget model to market.

Initially, LSH Auto will only sell the Smart range at its Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney Mercedes-Benz dealerships with no imminent plans to expand the network beyond just three sites.

“At this stage our concentration is on the three capital cities, which basically has 90 per cent of the population anyway,” said LSH managing director John Good.

“If there is interest outside of those areas, we can certainly handle that.”

The deal between LSH Auto and Smart was inked out just three months ago, with the rapid arrival indicating their eagerness to play in the growing Australian EV market.

“We've got our aspirations, but it is very early stages,” added Mr Good.

“But what I can say is that we are very confident in the brand and the opportunities that the brand's going to bring to the market.”

Supply is strong too, Mr Good told GoAuto, with stock already on the ground and factory-to-port delivery times of around two months.

“We’re going to hold a certain amount of stock in each state, and we have stock on the ground now with more coming in September, then if you want a specific colour or order we’re talking about eight to 10 weeks from factory to port,” he said.

Overseas, Smart says it has delivered more than 100,000 units of the new models, which were launched in overseas markets back in 2022, with a presence in 30 countries and regions.

While Australia is an important market for the brand, its focus is firmly placed on China which Ms Zhang confirmed is the largest market so far.

“China would be, yes, followed by Europe,” she said, confirming a 60:40 percentage split between the two markets.

When asked if China is likely to remain the largest market for Smart into the future, Ms Zhang said she hopes “China would at least account for 50 per cent.”

Smart offers a relatively competitive five-year/150,000-kilometre warranty on all models, while the battery is covered for eight years or 150,000km. It is certainly not the best out there, especially for a Chinese-built EV, but LSH is confident it will offer enough peace of mind to get customers over the line.

GoAuto spent time driving every new model, but our lips are legally sealed until September 4 – stay tuned.

2024 Smart #1 pricing*: