Smart #2 Launches in China November 5 With 410-km Range

Smart #2 Set for November 5 China Launch

Smart, the joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, will launch the all-electric Smart #2 two-seat city car in China on November 5, according to Chinese automotive media outlet Yiche, which cited official information. The announcement establishes a specific launch date for the new model after Smart China previously confirmed that the Premium variant would arrive in early November without identifying the exact day. The Smart #2 succeeds the original Smart ForTwo and returns the brand to its signature ultra-compact, two-seat city car segment. The launch represents the next stage in the vehicle's Chinese market rollout following the opening of early reservations and its global production-model debut in Paris.

Smart #2 Follows Global Debut and Couture Edition Launch

The production Smart #2 made its global debut at the Paris Motor Show on October 12, 2026. On the same day, Smart introduced the Couture Edition in China at an official retail price of 112,999 yuan, equivalent to approximately $16,820. Sales of that edition are limited to 999 units. The separate November 5 launch date advances the rollout of the broader Smart #2 lineup in China, including the previously announced Premium variant. Early reservations opened on September 14, with customers able to place a refundable deposit of 298 yuan. These milestones establish the model's launch sequence, from reservations and its international debut to the scheduled Chinese launch.

Smart #2 Battery, Range and Charging Specifications

The Smart #2 uses a 35.8-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery supplied with cells from CATL. The battery provides a maximum driving range of 410 kilometers under China's CLTC testing cycle. Its electric motor delivers up to 60 kW, equivalent to approximately 80 horsepower. Smart also states that the battery can charge from 10% to 80% in 20 minutes. Vehicle-to-load functionality enables the car to supply power to external electrical devices, adding a practical capability beyond vehicle propulsion. These specifications position the Smart #2 as an ultra-compact electric car focused on urban mobility, with its range, charging performance, and external power function forming key elements of its technical package.

Electric Compact Architecture and Two-Seat Design

Designed by Mercedes-Benz's global design team, the Smart #2 is built on the Electric Compact Architecture, or ECA, developed specifically for ultra-compact electric vehicles. The model retains the two-seat proportions associated with the original ForTwo, including the characteristic wheels-at-the-corners layout. Its reported length is either 2,751 mm or 2,764 mm, while its wheelbase measures 1,875 mm. The compact dimensions preserve the vehicle's emphasis on a small urban footprint. Rather than moving away from the format that established the ForTwo's identity, the new model carries its distinctive proportions into an electric platform designed for the next generation of the brand's city car.

Interior Layout and Practical Features

The Smart #2 interior features a Bench Seat and an S-Shape wraparound cockpit with wave-inspired contours. These design elements give the cabin a distinctive layout while maintaining the vehicle's two-seat configuration. The car also retains a split tailgate, with its lower section folding down to function as a loading platform or a seat when the vehicle is parked. This arrangement introduces an additional practical use for the rear opening without changing the car's basic city-focused proportions. Together, the compact exterior, two-seat cabin, wraparound cockpit, and adaptable lower tailgate section reflect the model's continuation of the ForTwo concept in an all-electric format.

Manufacturing, Markets and Smart ForTwo Heritage

The Smart #2 is manufactured in China by Geely's Zhejiang Haoqing Automobile Manufacturing and is intended for sale in China, Europe, and other overseas markets. The vehicle therefore combines Chinese manufacturing with design from Mercedes-Benz's global design team under the Smart joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely. Its predecessor, the original Smart ForTwo, debuted in 1998 and achieved cumulative sales of more than 2 million units. The Smart #2 brings the brand back to the two-seat city car category associated with that earlier model. Its international sales plans extend the new vehicle's intended reach beyond China, although the November 5 announcement specifically concerns its Chinese launch.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The Smart #2's launch reinforces the continued development of specialized, compact electric vehicles for urban transportation, combining a small two-seat format with a dedicated electric platform, fast charging, and vehicle-to-load functionality. For Smart, the model reconnects the brand with the segment that defined the ForTwo while using the manufacturing capabilities of Geely and the design expertise of Mercedes-Benz. Its planned availability in China, Europe, and other overseas markets gives the vehicle a broader intended commercial scope, although actual demand and market performance remain unconfirmed. The November 5 Chinese launch is the next concrete milestone, with the model's pricing, specifications, and eventual market reception likely to shape how its positioning is assessed against other small electric cars.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the Smart #2 launch in China?
The Smart #2 is scheduled to launch in China on November 5, 2026, following Smart China's earlier announcement that the Premium variant would arrive in early November. Chinese automotive media outlet Yiche reported the specific date, citing official information. The launch follows the model's global production debut at the Paris Motor Show on October 12. Early reservations opened on September 14 with a refundable deposit of 298 yuan. The November date establishes the next major step in the vehicle's Chinese rollout, although the announcement does not establish launch dates for other international markets.

What is the Smart #2's driving range?
The Smart #2 has a maximum stated driving range of 410 kilometers under China's CLTC testing cycle, using a 35.8-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery. The battery uses cells supplied by CATL, and the vehicle's electric motor produces up to 60 kW, or approximately 80 horsepower. The published range is a CLTC figure, so it should be understood as a result under that testing cycle rather than a guarantee of real-world driving distance. Actual range can differ depending on driving conditions, speed, weather, and vehicle use.

How quickly can the Smart #2 battery charge?
The Smart #2 battery can charge from 10% to 80% in 20 minutes, according to the reported specifications for the electric city car. Its 35.8-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery also supports vehicle-to-load functionality, allowing the vehicle to supply electricity to external devices. The reported charging time describes the specified charging interval rather than a complete charge from empty to full. The available information does not specify the charging power required to achieve this time or provide additional charging curves. Drivers should therefore distinguish the stated 20-minute charging interval from total charging time.

What platform does the Smart #2 use?
The Smart #2 uses the Electric Compact Architecture, a platform developed specifically for ultra-compact electric vehicles. Mercedes-Benz's global design team designed the vehicle, which retains the two-seat proportions and wheels-at-the-corners layout associated with the original Smart ForTwo. The reported dimensions are 2,751 mm or 2,764 mm in length, with a wheelbase of 1,875 mm. Inside, the model features a Bench Seat and an S-Shape wraparound cockpit with wave-inspired contours. This combination of a dedicated electric platform and compact dimensions continues the original city car concept.

Who manufactures the Smart #2, and where will it be sold?
The Smart #2 is manufactured in China by Geely's Zhejiang Haoqing Automobile Manufacturing and is intended for sale in China, Europe, and other overseas markets. Smart operates as a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, combining the two companies' involvement in the brand. Mercedes-Benz's global design team is responsible for the vehicle's design, while the car uses the Electric Compact Architecture developed for ultra-compact EVs. The announced November 5 date applies to the Chinese launch. The available information does not provide confirmed launch dates for Europe or other overseas markets.

How does the Smart #2 relate to the original Smart ForTwo?
The Smart #2 succeeds the original Smart ForTwo, a two-seat city car that debuted in 1998 and recorded cumulative sales of more than 2 million units. The new model retains the ForTwo's two-seat proportions and wheels-at-the-corners design while adopting an electric powertrain and the Electric Compact Architecture. Its interior includes a wraparound cockpit and a split tailgate with a lower section that can serve as a loading platform or a seat when parked. The #2 therefore brings Smart back to its signature two-seat city car segment in an all-electric format.