Smart #2 Couture Edition Launches in China at $16,790

Smart Revives Its Two-Seater City Car With an Electric Model

The Smart #2 Couture Edition marks the return of the brand's signature two-seat city car as an all-new electric vehicle developed by Smart, the joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely Auto. Smart China announced on Monday that the limited-edition model had officially launched in China at a retail price of 112,999 yuan ($16,790). Production is limited to 999 units for the Chinese market. The new model succeeds the classic Smart ForTwo, returning the brand to the ultra-compact two-seater segment with an electric platform, updated engineering, and distinctive styling intended for urban mobility.

European Debut and Market Availability

The production Smart #2 made its world debut at the Paris Motor Show, with market introductions scheduled to follow in Europe and China. Early ordering is planned in both markets, while the Couture Edition will also be limited to 999 units in Europe. According to Smart's English-language press release, the European and Chinese markets will receive separate allocations of the limited edition. In China, buyers will be able to choose between Premium and Couture Edition variants. Pricing for the Chinese Premium version is scheduled to be announced in November, while European equipment specifications, pricing, and availability will be communicated through local market announcements.

Distinctive Exterior Styling and Interior Features

Designed by the Mercedes-Benz global design team, the two-seater is built on the Electric Compact Architecture (ECA), a platform developed specifically for ultra-compact electric vehicles. The Couture Edition distinguishes itself with a matte white body, a gold roof, additional gold detailing, exclusive 16-inch wheels, and a numbered commemorative badge. These features establish a specific visual identity for the limited-production model while retaining the compact proportions associated with the original city car. Inside, the vehicle features bench-style seating and an S-shaped cockpit. It also retains a split tailgate, with the lower section folding down to function as a seat when the vehicle is parked.

Battery Capacity, Driving Range, and Powertrain

The Chinese version uses a 35.8-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery supplied with cells from CATL and delivers a claimed driving range of 410 kilometers under China's CLTC testing cycle. Its electric motor is mounted at the rear and drives the rear wheels, producing a maximum output of 60 kW (80 hp) and peak torque of 130 Nm, according to Smart. The vehicle also features a five-link rear suspension. Together, these specifications define the Chinese model's battery capacity, propulsion layout, and stated range. The reported range is based on the CLTC standard, so it should be interpreted within that testing framework rather than treated as a universal real-world driving distance.

European Range and DC Fast-Charging Specifications

The European version also uses a 35.8-kWh LFP battery, but Smart lists a target combined WLTP driving range of 290 kilometers. This figure is based on Europe's Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure, which differs from China's CLTC cycle, making the two range figures unsuitable for direct comparison. The European model supports DC fast charging at up to 65 kW, allowing the battery to charge from 10% to 80% in 20 minutes. Smart has not announced all market-specific equipment, prices, or availability details for Europe. Those specifications are expected to be communicated locally, and the published charging and range figures should be understood as the manufacturer's stated specifications.

Safety Structure and Manufacturing Background

The new city car features the next-generation Tridion Cell Evo safety structure and driver-assistance systems, continuing Smart's emphasis on occupant protection within a compact vehicle footprint. The model previously appeared in a vehicle filing catalog published by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) in August 2026. Manufacturing is handled by Geely's Zhejiang Haoqing Automobile Manufacturing. The vehicle therefore combines the brand's established two-seat city-car concept with a dedicated electric architecture and production within Geely's manufacturing operations. Its technical package brings together a compact body, rear-wheel-drive layout, battery-electric propulsion, and a specified safety structure, although the announcement does not provide additional crash-test results or detailed driver-assistance feature descriptions.

From the Original ForTwo to a New Electric Generation

The original Smart ForTwo launched in 1998 and went on to sell more than 2 million units. Its small footprint established the two-seat city car as the brand's defining vehicle concept. The new model returns to that segment under the joint ownership and operating arrangement involving Mercedes-Benz and Geely, with electric propulsion replacing the earlier generation's conventional approach. The limited-edition launch in China provides an initial retail offering, while the planned European rollout creates a second market for the vehicle. With Premium and Couture Edition variants identified for China, Smart's next announced pricing milestone is the November release of the Premium version's Chinese price.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The return of Smart's two-seat city car gives the brand a renewed entry in the ultra-compact electric vehicle segment, where small dimensions and urban usability are central to the product concept. The separate Chinese and European range figures also illustrate why manufacturers must communicate regional testing standards clearly when presenting electric vehicle specifications across markets. The 999-unit allocations position the Couture Edition as a limited offering rather than evidence of mass-market production volumes. Future market assessment will depend on the announced Premium pricing in China, local European equipment and pricing disclosures, and the model's eventual availability. For Smart, Mercedes-Benz, and Geely, the rollout provides an opportunity to reestablish the two-seater identity in an electric format while serving distinct regional markets.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the launch price of the Smart #2 Couture Edition in China?
The Smart #2 Couture Edition launched in China at a retail price of 112,999 yuan, equivalent to approximately $16,790. Smart China announced the launch on Monday and confirmed that production for the Chinese market is limited to 999 units. The model is offered as a limited-edition electric two-seater, while the Premium variant will have its Chinese pricing announced in November. The launch price applies to the Couture Edition and should not be interpreted as the price of every version or the European model.

What battery capacity and driving range does the new Smart two-seater offer?
The new electric two-seater uses a 35.8-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, with its stated range depending on the regional testing standard. In China, the vehicle delivers a claimed 410 kilometers under the CLTC cycle. The European version has a target combined range of 290 kilometers under the WLTP cycle. Because these procedures differ, the two figures are not directly comparable. Both versions share the stated battery capacity, while the published figures describe test-cycle ranges rather than guaranteeing the distance achievable in every driving condition.

How powerful is the Smart electric city car, and how quickly can it charge?
The Chinese version produces a maximum of 60 kW, or 80 horsepower, and peak torque of 130 Nm through a rear-mounted motor driving the rear wheels. Smart also specifies a five-link rear suspension for the vehicle. For Europe, the manufacturer lists DC fast-charging capability of up to 65 kW, allowing the battery to charge from 10% to 80% in 20 minutes. These charging specifications are stated for the European version, and the announcement does not establish that identical charging performance or equipment will be available in every market.

How many Smart #2 Couture Edition vehicles will be available?
The Couture Edition is limited to 999 units in China and a separate 999-unit allocation in Europe, according to Smart's announcement and English-language press release. These are independent regional allocations rather than a combined limit of 999 vehicles worldwide. The model made its production debut at the Paris Motor Show, with early ordering planned in Europe and China. Market-specific pricing, equipment, and availability details for Europe will be announced locally. In China, customers will also be able to choose the Premium variant, whose pricing is scheduled for announcement in November.

Who manufactures the new Smart electric city car, and what model does it replace?
The new Smart two-seater is manufactured by Geely's Zhejiang Haoqing Automobile Manufacturing and succeeds the classic Smart ForTwo city car. The vehicle was developed under Smart, the joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, and uses the Electric Compact Architecture platform designed specifically for ultra-compact electric vehicles. The original ForTwo launched in 1998 and sold more than 2 million units. The new electric model returns the brand to its signature two-seat segment with updated battery technology, rear-wheel drive, a dedicated safety structure, and region-specific range and charging specifications.