Head of Design Kai Sieber presenting the Smart #2. Credit: CarNewsChina Understand China EV’s Market Real-time notifications when critical EV data is released All important data in one place 2,000,000+ data points Become a member Following the world premiere of the Smart #2 concept in Beijing, an exclusive roundtable attended by a select group of media (including CarNewsChina) revealed the intensive engineering behind the brand’s return to its two-seater roots. During the discussion, Smart CEO Xiangbei Tong was remarkably blunt about the competition, revealing that after personally benchmarking almost every rival micro-EV currently on the market, he concluded they lacked the structural and dynamic integrity of a proper automobile. “I have driven almost all the micro-cars currently on the market,” Tong asserted, “and I can tell you: the Smart #2 is a real car; the others are not.” Tong and Head of Design Kai Sieber detailed a strategy to reclaim the micro-car segment with the #2, framing it as a “real car” designed to outperform the wave of budget “mini EVs” currently dominating the Chinese market. Reclaiming the Micro-Icon The Smart #2 is built from the ground up on the Electric Compact Architecture (ECA), allowing a target range of 400 km CLTC, a massive leap from the 150 km range of its predecessor, Smart ForTwo. Tong emphasised that the vehicle’s acceleration, specifically within the 0–50 meter range, is “unbeatable” in urban environments, a claim he personally verified during winter testing in Northeast China. Head of Design Kai Sieber explains the headlight designs of Smart models during the roundtable. Sieber noted that while the footprint remains ultra-compact to facilitate a sub-7-meter turning radius, the interior does not compromise on a premium feel. The #2 will adopt a “material mix” similar to the larger Smart #1, positioning it as a luxury city accessory rather than a utility vehicle. The production version, which will include a finalised interior, is set to debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 2026. Global Engineering, Local Feel The roundtable highlighted Smart’s challenge in balancing its German-Chinese identity. While the design is global, the suspension tuning remains market-specific. Tong explained that the “tolerance band” for the suspension is adjusted by suppliers: softer for China’s bumpy urban roads and stiffer for Europe’s “Alpine” driving conditions. This allows Smart to maintain a single global hardware set while satisfying diverse regional driving preferences. A significant technical hurdle mentioned by the executives was the transition to modern safety regulations, particularly pedestrian safety, which necessitated a total rethink of the front-end geometry. Despite these constraints, the #2 remains a “wheels-at-the-corners” design, maximising the wheelbase relative to its overall length. The 4.9-meter Smart #6 EHD debuted as the brand’s new fastback sedan. Brief Note on the Smart #6 While the focus remains on the micro-car revival, the event also saw the global debut of the Smart #6 EHD. This 4.9-meter fastback sedan features a 2,926 mm wheelbase and a 1.5T plug-in hybrid system, catering to Chinese demand for long-range executive vehicles. However, the executives made it clear that the #2 remains the “spiritual icon” of the brand’s portfolio. Smart #5 sales in China. Credit: China EV DataTracker Data Context: Sales Pressure The push for the #2 and #6 comes as Smart navigates a volatile sales landscape. According to China EV DataTracker, in March 2026, the Smart #5 recorded 459 units sold in China, a 52.5% MoM increase but a 33.4% YoY decline. The model currently holds a 26.7% share of the brand’s total volume. Engineered on the ECA platform for a sub-7-meter turning circle.