First Look: smart #3 - SIX More Things To Know

Whilst the mid-specced smart #3 Pro remained under camouflage, the smart #3 Brabus thankfully wasn't, and it's a pretty one folks!

At last, with an embargo lifted, we can now finally show you the new smart #3 EV coupe crossover in full. As a refresher, we were given early access to drive this new EV recently and, simply put, there’s more to the #3 than just being the slightly longer, wider, and sleeker twin to the #1.

We’ve detailed much of the critical changes in our First Drive report, so now we’ll get into the stuff we weren’t able to then. If you’ve been sitting on deciding between this new offering over its #1 twin, then pay attention – these facts might just sway you into this Sino-German EV’s favour…

Even in base smart #3 Pro form, the premium styling touches by Mercedes-Benz are very apparent, especially in both the headlights and taillights.

1. The Mercedes-Benz Styling Is Pretty Clear.

Like the #1, smart Automobile has been shouting the fact that the #3 is yet another creation styled by the mighty three-point star marque. Given that said German name synonymous with premium luxury is also a co-parent of the brand, this is perhaps not a surprise for many.

If you asked us, the Mercedes-Benz design touches are pretty evident with the way both the head- and taillights are styled. The #3’s derriere is where the differences lie. Here, you’ll find a sleeker twist, featuring a lower roof with a C-pillar that swoop down steeply into the shoulder arches.

Arguably, the real difference lie in the derriere of the smart #3, which is both sleeker and more dynamic compared to the #1.

Other Mercedes-like touches here include the connecting taillight lightbar spanning across the entire tailgate, as well as the 19-inch “Torque” wheels design – a fully enclosed-type style that’s also a typical Mercedes-Benz trait, especially in its higher-end models.

There are more areas of the #3 with examples that signify this, but we’ll let the images featured speak for themselves and let you agree – or disagree – with smart’s claims to this. Overall, like the #1, the #3 is yet another EV that we reckon many will find easy on the eyes with.

Slight lengthening, widening, and lowering not only improved drivability compared to the #1, the sleeker design also gives the #3 slightly better range too! 

2. Sleeker Looks Also Brings Slightly Better Range.

Prettier doesn’t always exactly translate to better, but not in the case of the #3. The lower roof height, slight widening, and fair bit of stretching done to it not only make it sleeker, these also help to improve its aero efficiency – not to mention its drive!

In fact, smart touts the #3 in having an ultra-low drag coefficient figure of just 0.27 Cd. This is marginally lower than the #1’s 0.29 figure, but it’s enough to see the #3 gain a slight upper hand in terms of range.

In turn, these help the 49 kWh (LFP, Pro) and 66 kWh (NMC, Premium and Brabus) battery packs grant up to 325 KM and 455 KM in WLTP-rated range respectively. In contrast, the #1 in similar guises offers 315 KM and 440 KM respectively.

Yes, these don’t sound like huge differences, but discerning EV prospect will welcome every extra KM available, which the #3 has slightly more to offer.

Coupled with acceptance of both 22 kW AC plus 130 kW (Pro) and 150 kW (Premium and Brabus) DC charging inputs, it makes for arguably one versatile EV crossover indeed. And before you ask, the #3 see its DC-charging input grant 10-80% recharges in under 30 minutes. 

Even in sporty Brabus form, the #3 promises to be a more practical car over the #1, and this is evident in boot space - there's 97 litres more of which here.

3. This Promises To Be More Practical Over The #1.

More good news about that prettier and sleeker derriere: it has a larger boot space! With the rear seats up, there’s 385 litres of room present in the #3, which is a sizeable 97-litre improvement over the #1’s 288-litre figure and space.

Couple that with the added convenience of a powered tailgate – present in all variants – and it’s easy to see how the #3 easily wins this debate over the #1. Our only gripe? You still have to live with the same 15-litre frunk as seen in the #1, which barely passes to house a charging cable…

4. Tech. Loads Of Tech.

…and there’s too much of which to list and type out here, so we’ll leave the brochure extracts to speak for themselves.

Crucially, what’s present are all the tech that make daily driving routines both easier and safer, not to mention tech that lets you hold a conversation with the car’s infotainment beyond commands.

Simply put, the #3, like the #1, aptly lives up to its brand name’s literalness here. Just mind the fact that you still have to go through the massive 12.8-inch touchscreen to do some of the more remedial things, like adjusting your side-mirrors...

Topping off the #3 range is yet another speedy Brabus variant. Exclusive to the #3 is the Photon Orange hue pictured.

5. There’s a Speedy Brabus Variant Available Too.

For those seeking the #3 with a sporty twist complete with the go-fast party tricks to match, you’ll be glad to know that there’s a Brabus variant available too. Aptly, this one gets the beefier dual-motor, all-wheel-drive (AWD) setup rated at 428 HP and 543 NM.

With ‘Rocket Launch Mode’ toggled on, going from stand-still to near-warp speed – 0-100 KM/H – takes just 3.7 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds quicker than the B-badged #1. 

Crucially, all this go-fast talents gets matched with a equally beefed up sport-tuned chassis. It’s noticeably stiffer with steering and suspension tuning that’s more adept to higher speeds, and not just in the straights either – this one is eager to carve corners too.

This was evident when we blasted around Proton’s oval speedway test-track, and we’re certain those seeking zero-emissions speed thrills will be chuffed indeed. Hopefully, like the B-badged #1 mentioned, these thrills should also come at a respectably accessible price. Speaking of…

Prices remain undisclosed for now, but bookings for the smart #3 are already opened. And you can see it in the flesh this week at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024!

6. It’s Now Open For Early Bookings!

Price is perhaps the most important detail left to discuss, yet this is one detail that distributors and brand guardians PRO-NET decided to keep mum on for just a while more, pending the #3’s official launch.

Nevertheless, if you already liked everything you read from our take of it, you’ll be glad to know that PRO-NET has opened the order books for the #3 starting today. Moreover, if you’re still not convinced yet, why not see the #3 in the flesh first then?

You can do exactly that starting this week at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024 (MAS 2024) that opens to the public from May 22 until May 26 at MAEPS, Serdang from 10AM to 10PM. Until then, what do you folks reckon with sleeker Sino-German EV offering? As usual, hit the comments below…