Confirmation of New Models
The Smart company recently confirmed that a new generation of the ForTwo is under development and will debut at the end of 2026 under the name #2. The surprise was that it will later be joined by a more practical four-door model, the #4, effectively reviving the spirit of the discontinued ForFour.
Management Statements
Smart Europe CEO Dirk Adelmann confirmed this news during a recent auto show in Munich. He noted that the new model
“should look like a successor”
to the old ForFour, which was essentially an elongated version of the ForTwo with additional doors and four seats.
Naturally, the new #2 and #4 will share the same basic foundation. Unlike current Smart models developed by Geely in China, the new platform was created in collaboration with Mercedes in Europe. Adelmann said that this
“is very important, as this team ensures that we have a European product, ready for European customers”
.
Economic Aspects of Expanding the Lineup
As he noted, the company decided to expand the lineup with an additional model because they
“need economies of scale”
. Smart had been trying to create a new ForTwo since 2019, and since they couldn’t find a partner for joint development, they had to look for another solution.
“We always tried to make it possible, but it took us three years longer than expected… Better late than never”
, Adelmann explained. He added that the difficult part was making the platform small enough for the #2, since
“it’s much easier to stretch it a bit”
for the #4.
Technical Features and Competition
Although the Smart executive did not disclose any technical specifications, he hinted at a dual-motor setup and a small turning radius for the city electric vehicles.
If the smart #2 maintains its unique positioning as the only two-seat electric vehicle in the European A-segment, then the #4 will have to compete with direct rivals. These include the upcoming Renault Twingo and the production version of the VW ID.Every1 concept.
Model Lineup Structure
The #2 and #4 models fill the numerical gaps in the Smart range, which currently includes the #1, #3, and #5 models. The naming scheme is clearly not primarily based on size, with even numbers reserved for regular cars and odd numbers for off-roaders. There are also reports of a possible Smart #6 sedan, which would align with this naming scheme.
In addition to preparing for new product presentations, the company is working on updates for the #1 and #3 crossovers. In 2026, the electric vehicles will receive an important model year update, including hardware changes, followed by a more extensive facelift in 2027. It is worth noting that the #1 debuted in 2022 as the first model of Smart’s new era, and the coupe-crossover version #3 appeared in 2023. The more angular #5, introduced in 2024, remains the brand’s largest offering to date.
The return of the ForFour in the form of the #4 model demonstrates the company’s strategic turn towards more practical solutions for the European market. Joint development with Mercedes guarantees compliance with European quality standards, which could be a decisive factor in the competitive battle with players like Renault and Volkswagen. Interestingly, maintaining the unique two-seat format for the #2 while expanding the offering shows a balance between niche and mass-market products.