smart #3 Unveiled In China - 4WD And Packing 428HP

A larger sibling of the highly popular smart #1 has been revealed in China by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT). The smart #3 which would be built on the Geely SEA platform is jointly developed by Geely and Mercedes-Benz. Similar to the #1, the #3 would feature input from Mercedes-Benz with regards to the exterior and interior design, while Geely is tasked in the tech and manufacturing front.

The exterior of the smart #3 at a glance looks uncannily similar to that of the smart #1 where it shares the same headlights, taillights, mirrors, pop-out door handles down to the usage of the smart logos on C-pilars. However, it is said that the body shape of the #3 differs significantly from that of the #1. The smart #3 appears slightly sportier than the smart #1, due to the coupe-shaped roofline and bumpers. The Brabus version would have a slot in the bonnet as well.

As for the size, the smart #3 would be 4400mm in length, 1844mm wide and 1556mm tall with a wheelbase of 2785 mm. With spec like that it is clear that the #3 is not a small vehicle. In comparison to the smart #1, it is 130mm longer, 22mm wider and 80mm lower. With numbers like this the smart is no more the micro mobility vehicle it used to be. 

From the MIIT’s announcement the interior of the #3 was still not revealed. The entry-level smart #3 is said to receive only rear-wheel drive with a 272 hp electric motor produced by Geely Group-owned Viridi E-mobility Technology Company. The higher speced variant would however be fitted with two electric motors powering all four wheels with a combined power of 423 hp. 

Based on MIIT’s announcement, the batteries for the smart #3 would be manufactured by CALB and Sunwoda, and would be in ternary form in both cases. However the key infor we would all want to know being the driving range offered is still unknown. Having said that, we can for surely agree that the smart #3 is indeed a as good looking at the #1 and with this being the case we cannot wait for more offerings from the smart group. 

Source: CarNewsChina