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World cities become part of the teaser campaign
Smart has scattered its “twos” across cities all over the planet. This is part of an unusual teaser campaign designed to draw attention to the new successor to the ForTwo. The joke about a wandering dog with digestive problems is quite appropriate here: #2 marks are appearing in different corners of the world, and each one is part of a larger puzzle ahead of the official presentation.
What the murals reveal about the design
Seriously, though, the murals created in Berlin, Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Paris and Shanghai practically reveal the future model’s appearance in full. The production version of the city car develops the #2 concept’s styling, but gains a ventilated radiator grille and a slightly revised front end in a “shark nose” style. The hood has been pushed further back, and the unusual concept lights have given way to vertical air curtains.
Earlier we wrote that Smart is returning to the two-seat models it once abandoned.
Side profile and recognizable details
The sides of the car show smooth body lines and rounded wheel arches. They are complemented by aerodynamically optimized alloy wheels and, it seems, an available contrasting black roof. In addition, the new model has conventional door handles, and its overall proportions offer a hint of the Toyota iQ.
Rear end and practical solutions
Smart is in no hurry to show the rear of the car, but a detailed examination of the drawings reveals much more. The new model will have round rear lights and a pronounced spoiler. Add to that a familiar five-door opening with a recess for the license plate in the center. A black bumper is also visible, where a reflector sits instead of a digital display.
Technical specifications and platform
As previously reported, the #2 will be built on the Electric Compact Architecture. The car will get a battery pack of approximately 35.7 kWh, providing a range of about 186 miles (300 km). If the battery is depleted, fast charging can take it from 10 to 80 percent in less than 20 minutes.
The car’s dimensions are also already known: length is 109.9 inches (2,792 mm), and the turning radius is just 22.8 feet (6.95 meters). This means the new model will be 3.8 inches (97 mm) longer than the second-generation ForTwo.
Artistic context and collaboration
The murals were created by the Mercedes-Benz design team together with local artists. Among them are Martin Ron, Georgia Lori, Zhu Bin and the collective Parents Parents. Smart itself reminded that art is embedded in the brand’s name: Swatch, Mercedes and Art together form the word Smart.
While the market is increasingly oriented toward crossovers, Smart is deliberately returning to the compact city car segment. The company had previously been skeptical about the prospects of two-seat models, but the arrival of the #2 signals a change in strategy. Thanks to its small dimensions, modern platform and fast charging, the newcomer could become a strong alternative to other microcars. The Paris Motor Show will show whether such a car can interest today’s drivers who are looking for convenient, stylish city transport with character, rather than just another electric vehicle.
