2023 Smart 1 Photos, engines & full specs

Mercedes-Benz and Geely inked a deal where the German automaker made the design for the smart #1, and the Chinese car manufacturer developed the underpinnings for the revolutionary crossover vehicle.

While it was not a revolution in terms of a product, it was one for the German brand. Prior to the #1, smart produced just the ForTwo and the FourFour models, either alone or in collaboration with Renault or Mitsubishi. So, the #1 was a completely new start; and it was electric.

At the front, the Y-shaped headlights pointing toward the center of the front fascia were connected via a LED strip. On the lower side of the front panel, the automaker installed a broad grille with a grid-like pattern. This was flanked by two side scoops that channeled air toward the sides of the vehicle to enhance aerodynamics. From its profile, the car differed from the concept car unveiled in September 2021 since it featured regular front-hinged doors both front and rear. The prototype was unveiled with rear-hinged doors for the rear passengers. At the back, the tilted-forward tailgate resembled the second generation of the FourFour. Finally, the taillights echoed the shapes of the front headlights.

Inside, the carmaker adopted a minimalist design with straight lines and curved surfaces. Atop the center stack, it mounted a 12.8-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, while fronting the driver was a small 9.2'' LCD for the instrument panel, neatly integrated into the dashboard. Since smart was half-owned by Mercedes-Benz, it featured high-quality materials. The bolstered front seats could've been ordered with man-made leather. At the back, the bench was suitable for three passengers thanks to the flat floor. The trunk, on the other hand, was small-sized, offering just a mere 273 liters (9.6 cu-ft), and the frunk could hold an additional 15 liters (0.5 cu-ft) of storage.

For the drivetrain, the automaker offered a single version at the start of the sales, with a 272 PS (268 hp) motor fed by a 66 kWh battery pack.