Launched: smart #1 – 3 Variants, Up To 440 KM Range, Priced From RM189,000

the smart #1 range has finally launched in Malaysia!

The wait is finally over as smart Malaysia (PRO-NET) has officially launched the highly anticipated smart #1 all-electric premium crossover range. The line-up was presented during the #TAKETHEsmartWay Grand Launch event and showcase held at MITEC, KL earlier today.

Present at the launch were Proton Chairman Tan Sri Syed Faisal Albar, Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry YB Tengku Datuk Zafrul, Global CEO of smart Automobile Tong Xiangbei, Proton CEO Dr. Li Chunrong, Proton Deputy CEO Roslan Abdullah, as well as PRO-NET CEO Zhang Qiang.

Showcased today were the smart #1 in both baseline Pro and higher-trimmed Premium variants.

As expected, the smart #1 range consists of three variants, those being the base-spec Pro, a higher-trimmed Premium, and a sporty Brabus flagship. As a refresher, the smart #1 is styled by Mercedes-Benz and underpins the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform developed by Geely.

Both the Pro and Premium variants share a rear-mounted e-motor that powers the rear wheels with 268 HP (200 kW) and 343 NM. Juicing said motor is a 49 kWh LFP-type battery in the Pro, and a larger 66 kWh NMC-type battery in the higher-specced Premium and sporty Brabus variants.

The Pro and Premium share similar performance abilities with 0-100 KM/H sprints despatched in 6.7 seconds whilst V-max is electronically capped at 180 KM/H. Crucially, the claimed WLTP range figures read at 315 KM for the Pro, and 440 KM for the Premium.

Also showcased was the sporty smart #1 Brabus performance-oriented range-topper.

Those seeking higher performance will need to opt for the smart #1 Brabus performance flagship as it packs a dual-motor and all-wheel-drive setup. The setup sees 422 HP (300 kW) and 543 NM outputs granting 0-100 KM/H sprints in a brisker 3.9 seconds instead.

Predictably, the higher speed and performance does come at the expense of range for the Brabus, which makes do with a slightly lower but still respectable claimed WLTP figure of 400 KM.

All variants underpin the Geely-developed Sustainable Architecture (SEA) platform that sees both LFP (Pro)  and NMC battery (Premium & Brabus) types available, as well as single- (Pro & Premium) and dual-motor setups (Brabus) available.

The SEA Platform accepts AC charging at a rate of 7.2 kW (Pro) and 22 kW (Premium & Brabus), along with DC fast charging up to 150 kW. Claimed WLTP range figures reads at 315 KM (Pro), 440 KM (Premium), and 400 KM (Brabus).

As for charging, the Pro variant makes do with just 7.2 kW AC charging input that sees 10-80% re-charges done in 6 hours. Both the Premium and Brabus instead boasts up to 22 kW AC charging compatibility, thus seeing 10-80% re-charges garnered in 3 hours.

For DC rapid charging, ALL variants accept up to 150 kW via CCS2, thus granting 10-80% re-charges in just 22 minutes for the Pro specifically. As for the Premium and Brabus duo, the same effort takes just 29 minutes.

Shared across all variants are key tech such as the digital displays, infotainment, climate control, as well as connectivity with the Hell smart App.

13-speaker Beats hi-fi Audio (left) is primed from the Premium guise onwards, whilst the 9.2-inch digital instrumentation (right) is standard kit across the board. 

In terms of specifications, key features shared between the Pro and Premium include 10-way power-adjustable front seats, 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen, 9.2-inch digital instrument panel, dual-zone climate control with rear vents and built-in N95 filter, powered tailgate, as well as a panoramic moonroof.

Setting these two apart is the Premium variant’s adoption of leather upholstery instead of leatherette seen in the pro, extended 64-colour cabin ambient lighting module, ventilated front seats, 10-inch full-colour head-up display (HUD), a high-end 13-speaker Beats hi-fi audio suite, and added kick-sensor for the powered tailgate.

The Brabus variant it set off properly thanks to its sportier interior featuring a combination of ultra suede and alcantara upholstery with contrast red stitching, aluminium pedals, and Brabus badges.

In the Brabus, it gets a sportier cabin motif featuring a combination of ultra suede and alcantara upholstery featuring sporty Red accent stitching and seatbelts too. Also unique to the Brabus are its aluminium sports pedals set and customary Brabus badges, not forgetting a larger panoramic ‘Halo Roof’ feature.

Other notable tech present across all variants include wireless smartphone charging pad, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4G/WiFi/WiFi hotspot connectivity, the smart Companion voice command suite, as well as built-in navigation function. Beyond which, all variants also feature the Hello smart App connectivity for remote monitoring, tracking and vehicle pre-setting functions.

Notably, all variants come laced with a bevy of ADAS features. However, just the Premium and Brabus benefit with added autonomous parking plus adaptive high beam functions.

Over on to active driving assist (ADAS) features, all three variants are richly kitted with a barrage of these tech to deliver Level 2+ semi-autonomous driving abilities.

Highlights include Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian and cyclist detection, front and rear collision mitigation (FCMS and RCMS), Lane-Departure Warning (LDW) and Prevention (LDP), Automated Lane-Change Assist (ALCA), Evasive Manoeuvre Assist (EMA), front and rear cross-traffic alert (FCTA and RCTA), Blind-Spot Detection (BSD), as well as both Highway and Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) plus 360-degree Visual Park Assist.

Opt for the Premium variant onwards and the package is beefed up with adaptive high beam, as well as fully autonomous parking abilities.

Official retail prices for the smart #1 range announced during the launch event held earlier today.

With its official launch, PRO-NET also revealed the official prices for all three variants. Things start at RM189,000 for the smart #1 Pro, from RM219,000 for the smart #1 Premium, and from RM249,000 for the smart #1 Brabus.

Announced too is an all-inclusive after-sales package. It entails with an 8-year or 200,000 KM high-voltage battery warranty, 8-year or 150,000 KM high-voltage component warranty, 4-year unlimited mileage base vehicle warranty, 2-year unlimited mileage spare parts warranty, and 24/7 roadside service assistance.

Also revealed was an all-inclusive after-sales package plus special 'Launch Packages', the latter aims specifically for early birds.

In conjunction with today’s launch, PRO-NET also has several ‘Launch Packages’ for early birds to choose from. Offers include complimentary smartCharge Home charger worth RM3,200 with a 2-year warranty included, complimentary accessories (5 items) worth RM2,000, complimentary V2L adaptor worth RM800 with a 2-year warranty, complimentary 5-year internet data totalling 60 GB, and comprehensive smartPlus Insurance.

What do you folks think of the smart #1 then? As always, share your thoughts in the comments below, as well as our social media platforms...