Previewed: smart #1 Premium EV SUV – Launching in Q4 2023

smart #1 EV SUV is officially coming to Malaysia in Q4 2023!

July has been quite a busy month for the local EV market so far, with several newcomers already making headlines. However, this growing market space is about to grow a bit further as smart Malaysia (PRO-NET) previews its first-ever model, the smart #1 EV SUV to the Malaysian public for the first time today.

Before making its first public appearance, we at Caricarz.com have been given early access to check out the #1 in its up-specced Premium guise at smart Malaysia’s headquarters located in Subang Jaya.

smart #1 Premium EV SUV

Back to the model, the smart #1 is an all-electric B-segment SUV that is borne out of the partnership between smart’s two main shareholders – Mercedes-Benz Group and Geely Holding. Said partnership is truly evident in the #1, as this EV SUV is designed by Mercedes-Benz’s in-house design team, while getting majority of its mechanical and driving-related components from the Geely Group.

Speaking of design, this B-SUV features a very unique yet stylish design language, with several Merc-inspired design cues can be seen all around it. For starters, the #1’s front fascia comes with stylish CyberSparks LED headlights with prominent Y-shaped DRLs that span throughout the car’s width, connecting both lights. Below that lies the #1’s illuminative faux front grille, flanked by a pair of air vents that help to improve this B-SUV’s aerodynamics.

smart are among the first in segment to introduce the flushed door handles and frameless door design

Also helping with aerodynamics are the #1’s flushed door handles with guiding lights, which pop out once the car is unlocked. From the side, you can see the #1 comes with the typical boxy SUV silhouette, with parts above its shoulder line all painted in gloss black hue, giving it a two-tone finish. Adding some stylish cue to the #1 is the frameless doors for both front and rear, while each of its rear pillars come with illuminated smart emblems. 

Elsewhere, the #1 Premium also gets a rather minimal underbody cladding finished in matte dark grey hue that blends rather well with the 20-inch wheels it rides on. Said wheels are shodded in Continental EcoContact 6Q tyres, for good measure.

The #1's rear part looks very familiar, for lack of a better word..

Looking at the #1 from the rear and you’ll immediately notice its Merc-esque LED taillights design, which features a full-width light bar with smart lettering sitting just above it. Said underbody cladding continues to the #1’s lower rear bumper, giving some rugged edge to this rather minimalistic tailgate design.

With this model being just a mere preview, smart Malaysia has yet to confirm the final spec on both the #1’s interior and powertrain setup. However, with the Malaysian market getting a fully-imported (CBU) unit from the marque’s facility in Xi’an, China, we can expect the spec will be somewhat similar. 

The #1 Premium gets a single electric motor setup at its rear axle

In this Premium guise, the #1 is powered by a rear-mounted (RWD) single electric motor setup rated at 268 HP (200 kW) and 343 NM that is good enough to propel this sub-two-tonne SUV from nought to 100 KM/H in 6.7 seconds. Flat out, the #1 Premium can reach a top speed of 180 KM/H, which is electronically-limited to preserve the battery’s life.

Underpinning Geely's SEA platform, the #1 can support up to 150 kW of DC fast charging rate

As for its underpinning, the #1 shares the same Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) EV platform as the new Volvo EX30, which can support both 400V and 800V battery architectures. This, in turn, allows the #1 to be fitted with a sizable 66.0-kWh nickel-cobalt manganese battery pack that grants it with a maximum EV range of up to 440 KM, according to WLTP standards.

Said battery pack supports both 7.4 kW-rated AC charging, as well as DC fast charging at up to 150 kW rate. Via the former method, the #1 can be fully-charged in about 10 hours, while the latter enables it to go from 10% to 80% in about 27 minutes.

You can check out the #1 this weekend at Setia City Convention Centre, Shah Alam

The smart #1 Premium will make its inaugural public debut starting from July 22 to 23 at Setia City Convention Centre, Shah Alam, where the public can take a closer look at this EV SUV. According to smart Malaysia and PRO-NET, the #1 will be officially launched in Q4 2023, where it is set to go against the likes of Mercedes-Benz EQA, Volvo XC40 Recharge, and Volvo C40 Recharge, in this tight B-segment EV SUV market space.

So folks, what do you think of the smart #1 Premium? Would its stylish design and premium look be enough to entice you away from its more well-known rivals? As always, don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments down below…