Smart Unveils Compact #2 EV Concept and Mid-Size #6 EHD Hybrid Sedan at Beijing Auto Show

Smart debuted two entirely different vehicle strategies ahead of the 2026 Beijing Auto Show. The joint venture between Mercedes-Benz Group and Geely Holding Group revealed the #2 Concept, an ultra-compact electric city car, alongside the #6 EHD, a mid-size plug-in hybrid sedan. The dual announcement represents a strategic shift for the brand. The #2 Concept returns Smart to the two-seater urban commuter market that established its global identity. Concurrently, the #6 EHD marks the automaker’s first entry into the fastback sedan segment and its first use of an extended-range hybrid powertrain.

Mercedes-Benz and Geely formed their equal partnership in 2019 to transition Smart into an electric-only manufacturer. The #2 Concept honors the original Smart Fortwo footprint while upgrading the technology for modern regulatory and consumer demands. The vehicle measures 2.79 meters in length, making it roughly 84 centimeters shorter than the current Fiat 500e. The design, penned entirely by the Mercedes-Benz Global Design Team, utilizes a wheels-at-the-corners layout to maximize interior passenger space within a strict dimensional limit. A 6.95-meter turning diameter aims to provide maneuverability in dense urban environments. The concept features a matte white and warm gold exterior finish, triangular headlights, and a customizable digital matrix display on the rear fascia.

The engineering underneath the #2 Concept relies on Smart’s newly developed Electric Compact Architecture. The proprietary platform targets a range of 300 kilometers under the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicles Test Procedure, commonly known as WLTP. Smart states the vehicle will support direct-current fast charging capable of replenishing the battery from 10 percent to 80 percent in under 20 minutes. The architecture also includes vehicle-to-load functionality. This system allows the car’s high-voltage battery to discharge power to run external electronic devices. Kai Sieber, Head of Design Smart at Mercedes-Benz, stated in a press release that the concept translates the brand’s personality into a new era where function becomes fashion. The production version of the #2 will officially debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 2026, with European sales slated for early 2027. According to reporting by Car and Driver, a United States automotive publication, Smart does not plan to sell the #2 in the US market.

The #6 EHD takes the brand in the opposite direction regarding both size and propulsion. The production-ready mid-size sedan is tailored primarily for the Chinese market. The EHD designation stands for Electric Hybrid Drive. The vehicle utilizes a 1.5-liter turbocharged plug-in hybrid system developed by Geely, utilizing the NordThor Hybrid 2.0 architecture. This powertrain produces a maximum output of 320 kilowatts, translating to 429 horsepower. That output enables acceleration from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in 6.7 seconds. The physical dimensions push Smart into a new size category. The sedan measures 4,906 millimeters long with a 2,926-millimeter wheelbase, making it the largest vehicle the brand has ever produced and aligning it dimensionally with the short-wheelbase variant of the BMW 7 Series.

Range and efficiency figures for the #6 EHD rely on the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle, or CLTC. Under this testing standard, the sedan achieves a maximum pure electric range of 285 kilometers. When operating with a fully charged battery and a full tank of fuel, the total combined range reaches 1,810 kilometers. Smart reports fuel consumption drops to 3.9 liters per 100 kilometers when the battery is depleted. Chinese automotive news outlet CnEVPost reports that pre-sales began on April 24, starting at 189,900 yuan. That converts to approximately $27,780. Customers who place a 999-yuan deposit receive a 3,000-yuan discount on their final purchase price. Official retail sales commence in June.

The #6 EHD includes advanced hardware for automated driving assistance. A roof-mounted light detection and ranging sensor, known as LiDAR, comes standard. This sensor maps the physical environment using laser pulses to support urban navigate-on-autopilot functions. The system handles automated parking and intelligent obstacle avoidance. Inside the cabin, the horizontal dashboard features dual 13-inch OLED displays. A four-stage active rear spoiler and steering components tuned by automotive supplier ZF aim to improve driving dynamics. The trunk offers 525 liters of cargo capacity, benefiting from an 86 percent space efficiency metric touted by the manufacturer.

The practical implications of this dual expansion center on market reach, pricing access, and manufacturing volume. By introducing an extended-range hybrid, Smart gains access to buyers who lack reliable home charging infrastructure or require vast driving ranges without stopping to plug in. The aggressive pricing of the #6 EHD places it directly in competition with the Tesla Model 3 and local domestic plug-in hybrids in China. At the same time, the #2 Concept addresses European demands for efficient, easy-to-park urban transport at a time when city centers are increasingly restricting large combustion vehicles.

Several technical and logistical details remain unknown. Smart has not confirmed the exact usable battery capacity in kilowatt-hours for either vehicle. While public specifications list the use of lithium iron phosphate battery chemistry for the #6 EHD, the automaker has not confirmed the specific cell supplier. Crash test ratings from global safety agencies like Euro NCAP or China NCAP are not yet available for the new sedan. Furthermore, Smart has declined to state whether the #6 EHD will eventually be exported to Europe to sell alongside the brand’s existing all-electric crossover lineup.