Smart #2 Brings Back the Electric Two-Seater, With Approval Still Pending
Smart unveiled the #2 at the Paris Motor Show on October 12, 2026, returning to the compact two-seat format that made the fortwo recognizable. The European launch announcement comes with a qualification: type approval is unfinished, so specifications may change and delivery depends on completion.
Small dimensions, preliminary electric specifications
The manufacturer lists a 2,746 mm length for the regular trims, rear-wheel drive and a 6.95 metre curb-to-curb turning circle. A 60 kW motor is paired with a 35.8 kWh LFP battery. The combined WLTP range target is 290 km, about 180 miles; it is neither a final certified figure nor an EPA rating.
Smart claims 10–80% DC charging in 20 minutes under suitable conditions, with a 65 kW peak. AC charging is trim-dependent: Pure uses a 7.4 kW onboard charger, while higher versions support up to 11 kW. Temperature and charger capability can alter charging times.
A familiar idea with a new approval hurdle
The split tailgate and wheels-at-the-corners proportions carry forward the fortwo’s design vocabulary. In its October 9 heritage account, Smart traces the production fortwo’s premiere to Frankfurt in 1997 and its arrival on roads to 1998. That history helps explain why the new car’s size is central to its identity.
European trims include Pure, Pure+ and Premium, plus a 999-car Couture Edition. The release does not establish a firm retail delivery date or U.S. launch. Buyers should wait for local prices, final specifications and certification before comparing ownership costs.
For anyone considering a small EV, parking access and a dependable charging routine are useful starting points. Our EV ownership checklist walks through those questions.
Sources
Smart world-premiere announcement (October 12, 2026); Smart heritage account (October 9, 2026). Technical and charging figures are manufacturer claims; Chiefs Review has not tested the vehicle.
Featured image: Archive Smart fortwo illustrating the brand’s earlier two-seater; this is not the new #2. Photo: Iker Merodio. Image usage terms.