Unleashed in April 2022, the #1 is the smart brand's first-ever model developed by the joint venture between Chinese automaker Geely and German colossus Mercedes-Benz. A subcompact crossover with rear- and dual-motor powertrain choices, the #1 is based on the Geely Sustainable Experience Architecture platform of the 2025 Volvo EX30.
Over in the United Kingdom, specifications and prices were announced in April 2023. Fast forward to January 2024, and the smart #1 is nearly four grand less than before. A new grade dubbed Pro undercuts the Pro+ with a starting price of 31,950 pounds sterling as opposed to £35,950 (make that $40,610 and $45,690 at current exchange rates).
As the "+" suffix implies, the Pro+ features a larger battery. As opposed to 62 kilowatt hours, the newcomer sports 49 kWh. Both packs feature nickel-cobalt-manganese chemistry. NCM for short, this composition is also used by General Motors in the Detroit-based automaker's Ultium electric vehicles. NCM battery cells have a relatively stable chemistry, but lithium-iron-phosphate battery cells are more stable still.
From 49 kWh, the Pro will go 193 miles (310 kilometers) in the WLTP combined test cycle. By comparison, the Pro+ improves to 260 miles (420 kilometers). Higher up the spectrum, the #1 can also be had in Premium and BRABUS flavors at £38,950 ($49,485) and £43,450 ($55,200), respectively. As far as driving range is concerned. the champion is – without a shadow of a doubt – the Premium thanks to 273 miles (440 kilometers). This range wouldn't have been possible without the addition of a heat pump, silicon carbide invertor, and the 22-kW three-phase onboard charger.
The BRABUS is dual-motor AWD by design, hence its marginally poorer estimate of 248 miles (400 kilometers) in the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure. smart advertises the #1 with 200 kW (272 ps or 268 hp) for the single-motor Pro, Pro+, and Premium. The AWD-only BRABUS develops 315 kw (428 ps or 422 hp).
Photo: smart
For the new entry-level trim, smart claims 6.7 seconds from zero to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) and 130-kW fast charging for a 10%-80% charging time of roughly half an hour. Despite being four grand more affordable, the Pro is anything but spartan in terms of standard kit.
Goodies include heated seats, adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera system, LED exterior lighting, intelligent voice assistance for the infotainment system, a 12.8-inch touchscreen, over-the-air software updates, and a powered liftgate. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto need to be mentioned as well, along with a 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, unlimited-mileage warranty for the first three years of the B-segment crossover.
These standard features carry over to the Pro+. The Premium builds on the Pro+ with the addition of a head-up display, Beats audio, CyberSparks+ Matrix LED headlights, and automatic parking assist. The BRABUS stands out with sportier design traits, including Alcantara for the steering wheel, microfiber suede for the seats, red seatbelts, metal pedals, hood vents, and 19-inch alloy wheels.
If you're curious about how fast the dual-motor BRABUS is, smart says it needs 3.9 seconds to reach 62 miles per hour. As expected from a small electric vehicle with direct drive instead of a two-speed transmission à la the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT, the smart #1 BRABUS can't go faster than 180 kilometers per hour (112 miles per hour). For reference, the maximum speed limit in the United Kingdom is 70 miles per hour (112 kilometers per hour).
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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