The smart #3 has been officially unveiled as the second model from the smart Automobile joint venture between Geely and Mercedes-Benz, following the brand’s first model to emerge from the tie-up, the smart #1. This is the brand’s first sports-utility coupé, according to smart, wearing a roofline that is more sweeping and less upright compared to that of the #1.
Technical details were not revealed in the official release from smart, though earlier homologation documents from China have shown that the #3 measures 4,440 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,600 mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,785 mm. By comparison, the #1 is 4,270 mm long, 1,822 mm wide and 1,636 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,750 mm.
smart has not revealed powertrain details for the #3, however the aforementioned homologation documents from China stated two levels of power output for the crossover coupé, which is a 268 hp (272 PS) configuration – the same as that of the smart #1 – along with a 154 hp version to serve as a base variant.
Inside, the dashboard architecture of the #3 largely mimics that of the #1, with some detail changes such as a trio of circular air-conditioning vents on the centre console and oval units on the sides, instead of oval units throughout as on the #1.
Similarly, the #3 gets a 12.8-inch central floating touchscreen, while audio is by a 13-speaker Beats sound system. Overhead, a panoramic sunroof adds natural light to the cabin, while a multi-colour ambient lighting ensemble also helps set the mood.
Following its debut at Auto Shanghai 2023, the smart #3 will then head to Europe for the IAA motor show in Munich, Germany set for September this year, ahead of its European market launch early in 2024; details for the European-specification #3 will be released later, says smart.
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when smart #3 becomes X80
I’m wondering why they use the smart brand for this cars? While the original smart car was a revolutionary design, #1 and #3 are more or less what all competitors do. They should have kept the Geely brand for it.