Smart #2 Introduces Tridion Cell Evo Safety Structure

Tridion Cell Evo Structure Combines Compact Size With Protection

On September 28, Smart announced that its upcoming Smart #2 will use the new Tridion Cell Evo safety structure, developed to combine compact dimensions with strong occupant protection for city driving. More than 78% of the body structure uses high-strength steel, including a three-layer steel design with materials offering up to 1,800 MPa of tensile strength. The structure provides 39,000 Nm/deg of torsional stiffness and can withstand a roof load of more than 4 tons. These structural characteristics are intended to provide a rigid protective foundation while supporting the compact packaging requirements of the two-seat electric city car.

Occupant Protection Includes Seven Airbags

Occupant protection in the Smart #2 includes seven airbags and an advanced seatbelt system incorporating Pyrotechnic Lap Pretension (PLP) and Crash Locking Tongue (CLT) technology. The battery also receives protection through a layered structural design, adding another safety-focused element to the vehicle architecture. Together, these measures address occupant restraint and battery protection within the compact vehicle's overall structural concept. The approach is particularly relevant to a small electric city car, where the body structure, passenger compartment, restraint systems, and battery must be packaged efficiently without compromising the stated protection objectives.

Electric Compact Architecture Supports Two-Seat Layout

The Smart #2 is built on the Electric Compact Architecture (ECA), a platform developed specifically for the two-seat electric city car. The architecture uses a 35.8 kWh CATL battery and targets up to 290 km of combined range. DC fast charging from 10% to 80% takes around 20 minutes. This combination gives the vehicle a compact electric powertrain package while providing a defined charging and range specification for urban use. The battery capacity, targeted range, and charging time form a central part of the ECA's technical proposition and support the vehicle's intended city-driving application.

Integrated Electric Drive System Saves Space

The ECA also incorporates an integrated 11-in-1 electric drive system that combines several powertrain and control functions into one compact unit. The integration is designed to save space within the vehicle while supporting the packaging requirements of the two-seat configuration. The platform further uses a five-link independent rear suspension, rear-wheel drive, and a 50:50 weight distribution. These components establish the vehicle's basic dynamic configuration, with the rear-wheel-drive layout and balanced weight distribution intended to support responsive handling while the independent rear suspension manages the rear axle's contribution to ride and handling behavior.

Staggered Tires Support Steering and Stability

All versions of the Smart #2 will use staggered-width tires, with narrower tires at the front and wider tires at the rear. According to the announced configuration, the arrangement is intended to improve steering, grip, and stability. The tire strategy works alongside the vehicle's rear-wheel-drive layout and 50:50 weight distribution, creating a coordinated chassis setup for the compact electric car. Because the vehicle is designed specifically as a two-seat city car, the combination of compact dimensions, rear-wheel drive, independent rear suspension, and different front and rear tire widths forms an important part of its stated handling approach.

World Premiere Set for the Paris Motor Show

The Smart #2 will make its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show on October 12, 2026, giving France a central role in the vehicle's public debut. The premiere will provide the first scheduled opportunity for the model to be formally presented following the September 28 announcement of its structural and technical details. The event date also establishes the next major milestone for the program. Until the premiere, the announced specifications define the vehicle's stated safety structure, electric architecture, battery capacity, charging target, drive configuration, suspension system, and tire arrangement.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The Smart #2 highlights how compact electric vehicles can combine dedicated architecture, integrated propulsion hardware, structural safety engineering, and urban-oriented packaging within a two-seat format. Its high-strength steel structure, battery protection strategy, compact 11-in-1 electric drive system, and targeted charging performance illustrate the engineering priorities involved in small electric city cars. The October 12 world premiere should provide further information about the production vehicle and its detailed specifications. For the compact EV segment, the development is particularly relevant to manufacturers balancing occupant protection, electric packaging, maneuverability, and usable range within a small vehicle footprint.

Frequently Asked Questions

What safety structure will the Smart #2 use?
The Smart #2 will use the Tridion Cell Evo safety structure, which combines compact vehicle packaging with a high-strength steel body structure and multiple occupant protection technologies. More than 78% of the structure uses high-strength steel, with materials offering up to 1,800 MPa of tensile strength. The structure has 39,000 Nm/deg of torsional stiffness and can withstand a roof load of more than 4 tons. The vehicle also includes seven airbags, an advanced seatbelt system, and layered battery protection within its overall safety design.