Smart #2 EV revealed at the 2026 Paris Motor Show

Key highlights:

• Smart #2 revives the 2-seat ForTwo formula with a dedicated EV platform
• 60kW electric motor and 35.8kWh battery deliver 290km WLTP range
• European range includes three trims and a limited Couture Edition

Smart is returning to its roots with the new #2, a tiny electric car that continues the City Coupe/ForTwo lineage that began in 1994. Unveiled at this week’s Paris motor show, the two-seat EV gets a dedicated platform, rear-wheel drive and a claimed 290km WLTP range. 

It also brings a more premium cabin, extra boot flexibility and new suspension hardware. Smart hasn’t confirmed Australian availability, while European pricing is expected to sit just below €20,000 (around A$32,000).

Smart #2: Back to the brand’s roots

Smart launched its first City Coupe in 1994, later known as the ForTwo, and the new #2 continues that two-seat city-car formula after the brand expanded into larger models such as the #1, #3 and #5.

Since Geely acquired a 50% stake in Smart in 2019, the brand has combined Geely-developed vehicle platforms with bodies and interiors designed by Mercedes-Benz. The #1, #3 and #5 use existing architectures, but Geely developed a new Electric Compact Architecture (ECA) specifically for the #2.

Unlike earlier ForTwo generations, which offered petrol engines alongside electric power in some markets, the new #2 will be an EV only.

The #2 remains a compact two-seater, although it has grown in width and length compared with the fourth-generation ForTwo.

Despite the wider body, Smart has retained the tiny footprint that defines the model, and its unchanged height and near-identical wheelbase also keep it close to the previous ForTwo’s proportions.

Electric powertrain: 60kW and 290km range

At launch, every Smart #2 variant uses a rear-mounted electric motor that drives the rear wheels. The motor produces 60kW and 130Nm, which is 30Nm less torque than the motor in the fourth-generation electric ForTwo EQ.

Smart compensates for the torque loss with a larger battery. The 35.8kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) pack offers just over twice the capacity of the old ForTwo EQ’s battery.

Smart claims a 290km WLTP driving range, double the range offered by the ForTwo EQ, and the #2 supports DC fast-charging at up to 65kW. AC charging reaches 7.4kW on standard specifications and 11kW on higher-grade Premium models.

Smart says the #2 delivers sportier handling and better ride comfort than previous generations, and a new five-link rear suspension setup helps achieve that goal, while the battery mounted in the floor lowers the car’s centre of gravity.

The combination should help the lightweight, rear-wheel-drive EV feel more composed on the road, although Smart hasn’t provided detailed performance figures or acceleration times.

Also read: Retro Citroën 2CV EV Concept debuts at Paris Motor Show

Interior: A more premium two-seat cabin

The #2 sticks to a strict two-seat layout, but Smart has given the cabin a more upmarket appearance than previous two-seat models. The dashboard features turbine-style air vents and a driver-focused layout, and a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen sits in the centre, angled towards the driver, while an 8.8-inch digital instrument display sits behind the steering wheel.

Smart has also made the rear opening more versatile. The upper glass section of the tailgate can open independently, and the lower section folds down and has a 120kg load rating, allowing it to double as a seat.

Boot capacity ranges from 305 to 527 litres, depending on the position of the front seats, which gives this tiny EV more flexibility when carrying luggage or other items.

Smart #2 variants and standard equipment

European buyers will get three main trim levels: Pure, Pure+ and Premium. All variants include:

• Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality
• Automatic high-beam headlights
• 7.4kW AC charging
• 65kW DC fast-charging
• The ability to supply power to external electrical appliances

The Premium grade adds more equipment and personalisation options:

• 11kW AC charging
• Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and rear collision mitigation
• Glass roof
• Faux leather seat trim
• Seven-speaker Sennheiser sound system
• Selected two-tone exterior colour combinations

Smart will also offer a special Couture Edition with distinctive exterior details, whose production will be limited to 999 examples for Europe and another 999 for China. 

It features unique 16-inch Lyra wheels, matte-white paint, a contrasting matte-gold roof and additional gold-coloured trim. The grille takes inspiration from a designer suitcase, complete with leather-strap-like detailing.

European pricing and Australian availability

Smart hasn’t announced official pricing yet, but reports suggest the #2 will cost just under €20,000 (around A$32,000) in Europe, and because the car is built in China, it faces a tariff surcharge when sold in the European market. That expected price puts the #2 in the same ballpark as the 3.8-metre Renault Twingo, which seats five and offers a similar driving range.

The Renault is considerably larger in passenger capacity, while the Smart sticks to its traditional two-seat layout and compact city-car proportions.

Smart has yet to confirm whether the #2 will come to Australia. For now, its return to the small-car segment marks a clear shift back towards the formula that built the brand: a tiny footprint, two seats and easy urban driving.