2025 smart #1 to get 68 PS power bump, new wheels – RWD model now with 340 PS, AWD Brabus 496 PS

Now on its third year on the market, the smart #1 is set to receive a fairly substantial model year update in China, adding to the price reduction it received in 2024. While it’s not a facelift per se, the compact electric SUV is getting a notable mechanical change, according to Autohome.

Filings to the country’s ministry of industry and information technology (MIIT) state that the car will receive a more powerful 340 PS (250 kW) rear electric motor, representing a 68 PS (50 kW) bump over the current car’s 272 PS (200 kW). This not only benefits the standard rear-drive variants but also the all-wheel drive Brabus, the power outputs of which jump from 428 PS (315 kW) to a massive 496 PS (365 kW).

As yet, there is no mention of battery changes. The #1 currently uses a 49 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery for a WLTP-rated range of 315 km on the base Pro model, as well as a 66 kWh nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) pack that enables the Premium to travel up to 440 km and the Brabus, 420 km.

No changes to the Mercedes-Benz design, but images attached with the filings do show new 19-inch wheel designs. The standard rollers retain their three-pronged aesthetic but gain a linear graphic between each “spoke”, while the Brabus swaps its turbine-style units for multi-spoke wheels that bring the car more in line with the Bottrop tuner’s high-powered Mercedes-based models. The performance model is also gaining a bit of subtlety, ditching its red roof and door mirrors.

Unlike many other Chinese carmakers, smart (now a joint venture between Geely and Mercedes, let’s not forget) is pretty quick in rolling out updates globally, such as the aforementioned price cut. As such, we can expect the new models to arrive sooner rather than later, especially given how minimal these changes are.

GALLERY: 2024 smart #1 Premium in Malaysia

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