Smart #5 Is A Big Idea In A Compact Package - And It Has A Projector!
Image Credit: Smart.
Well, well, well. Look who's grown up. Smart, the brand we once knew for building cars that could fit in a carry-on bag, has gone and supersized itself. Introducing the Smart #5, an electric SUV that's about as far from the Fortwo as a cruise ship is from a bathtub rubber duck.
The new Smart #5 is big. It's a full 185.2 inches long. That's 10 inches longer than a Mini Countryman. Can you imagine? A Smart car that can actually fit more than a couple of shopping bags and a chihuahua. It even comes with an electric trailer hitch, just in case you need to haul your tiny house to a music festival.
Image Credit: Smart.
But size isn't the only thing that's changed. The #5 is packed with enough tech to make a Silicon Valley nerd blush. We're talking three screens, AI-powered voice commands, and even a built-in projector. That's right - a projector. So, you can turn any wall into a drive-in movie theater. Just don't forget the popcorn.
The Smart #5 is built on the latest 800-volt architecture that can juice up the 100 kWh battery from 10 to 80 percent in a claimed 15 minutes. That's faster than I can finish a cup of cappuccino. And with a range of up to 460 miles, you can go from LA to Vegas without breaking a sweat. Or at least, that's what the Chinese test cycle says. Still - a 100 kWh battery pack in a Smart car? I did not see that coming.
Image Credit: Smart.
During the official launch, Smart kept quiet about the performance of its latest electric creation. Thankfully, we have the Chinese MIIT, which is known for not being good at keeping secrets. There are three models coming - a rear-wheel drive 335 horsepower version, a 580 horsepower twin-motor all-wheel drive, and the utterly bonkers Brabus version with 637 horsepower on tap. A six hundred horsepower Smart - it's not a typo; it's a sign of how much the world has changed.
When it comes to looks, the #5 is a bit of a mixed bag. It's got a boxy shape, but it's also got some smooth curves. If you squint your eyes just enough, it sort of looks like a bulldog in a tuxedo. The front end is particularly striking, with a full-width light bar and four oval auxiliary lights that look like they're staring right at you. It's a look that grows on you, and honestly - after looking at it a few times, I quite like it. It's clever, bold but restrained - purposeful is the word, I think.
Image Credit: Smart.
Inside, it's a whole different story. The cabin is swanky, with ambient lighting, leather seats, and wood trim. The front seats even recline to a 121-degree angle, so you can pretend you're an astronaut in zero gravity. And if you fold all the seats down, you get a king-sized bed. Perfect for those impromptu camping trips. Or when you just need a break from your kids. Ah! That's when that projector comes in handy!
Surprisingly, the #5 also comes with a 20-speaker Sennheiser sound system and a portable speaker that you can take with you. So, you can blast your favorite tunes whether you're inside the car or out in the wilderness. Disco for squirrels somehow comes to my mind.
Sadly, this tech-laden wonder won't be coming to America. Smart is focusing on China and Europe, with deliveries starting in Europe early next year. No word on the price yet, but I'm guessing it won't be cheap. After all, this ain't your average Smart car. It's a Smart car on steroids.
So, there you have it. The Smart #5. It's big, it's bold, and it's got a projector. What more could you want? Well, maybe a self-driving feature. But you can't have everything. At least not yet. Seriously, though - what a car! I'm just as surprised as you are. An electric Smart that promises to be fun on and off the road? With more power than the Tesla Model Y Performance and with a bigger battery? And with more style? Ladies and Gentlemen - Smart #5 officially is the one to watch.
