by New Smart Sedan: First Images and Details
Smart, a joint venture between China’s Geely and Germany’s Mercedes-Benz, is preparing to launch its first sedan. This model, which received the index Smart #6, significantly expands the brand’s product line, traditionally known for compact city cars.
Key Features of the Model
Design and Technical Specifications
Prototypes of the new sedan were spotted during road tests in the Chinese city of Qixi. The car demonstrates an aerodynamic body with a smooth roofline that flows into the rear. The front-end design features aggressive headlights, united by an LED strip across the entire width.
The rear of the car resembles Mercedes design, with an active rear spoiler. One of the prototypes had dual exhaust pipes, confirming the presence of an internal combustion engine. The model is likely to receive a hybrid power unit, similar to the one used in the Smart #5 crossover.
Technological Solutions
The power unit may combine a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with 161 hp with an electric motor of 268 hp. Battery options with capacities of 20 kWh and 41 kWh are expected. In the larger Smart #5 crossover, such a configuration provides an electric range of 252 km and a combined range of over 1600 km.
Observers note that thanks to its more streamlined shape, the Smart #6 sedan may show even better efficiency indicators. The car is being developed on the Geely PMA2+ platform, which is also used in the Zeekr 007 model.
Market Launch Prospects
The condition of the prototypes indicates that the model is approaching serial production. The question regarding the sales geography remains unclear – whether the car will be available only in China or will enter global markets. This decision could significantly impact the positioning of the Smart brand in the world and its competitiveness in the electric sedan segment.
The appearance of a sedan in the Smart lineup indicates a change in the brand’s strategy, which has traditionally been associated with small-class city cars. The transition to larger models may be an attempt to attract new categories of buyers and respond to the growing global demand for electric sedans, especially in the context of competition with models such as the Tesla Model 3.
