Smart

SEA platform Geely. Single motor RWD. Dual motor AWD option. 272hp single motor Pro+. 200kW output. 343Nm torque. 428hp dual motor Brabus. 315kW peak. 543Nm torque. 66kWh battery. 440km WLTP range. 0-100 km/h 3.9 seconds Brabus. 4270mm length. 2750mm wheelbase. 1820kg curb weight. Compact premium SUV. Frameless doors design. 12.8in OLED touchscreen. 9.2in digital instruments. 10in HUD optional. Beats audio system. Level 2+ autonomous. Parking pilot. 360-degree view. Highway assist. Chinese-German design collaboration. Mercedes-Benz heritage. Geely technology platform.

SEA platform. Single motor RWD standard. Dual motor AWD Brabus. 272hp single motor. 200kW output. 343Nm torque. 428hp Brabus dual motor. 315kW peak power. 66kWh battery standard. 455km WLTP range. 0-100 km/h 3.7 seconds Brabus. 4400mm length. 2785mm wheelbase. 1910kg curb weight. Fastback coupe SUV design. Sporty silhouette. Frameless doors. 12.8in central touchscreen. 10.25in driver display. HUD optional. Ambient lighting extensive. Beats audio Brabus. Level 2+ driver assist. Highway assist. Automatic parking. Premium compact positioning. Performance focus Brabus. Dynamic driving character.

SEA platform larger application. Single motor RWD base. Dual motor AWD option. Estimated 340hp dual motor. 100kWh battery capacity. 550km+ WLTP range target. Midsize SUV dimensions. Approximately 4700mm length. Larger wheelbase than #3. Five-seat configuration. Family SUV positioning. Premium interior space. Advanced infotainment system. Driver assistance comprehensive. Level 2+ automation. Urban and highway capability. Family travel focus. Chinese production. Global market expansion. Mercedes-Benz design influence. Premium midsize electric SUV segment entry.

Original Smart City-Coupe. 0.6L turbo 55hp. 0.7L turbo 61hp. 599cc three-cylinder. 698cc upgrade. Sequential automatic. Softip semi-automatic. RWD layout. 2500mm length revolutionary. 1812mm wheelbase. 730kg curb weight. Two-seat only configuration. Tridion safety cell. Interchangeable body panels. Urban parking solution. Vertical storage capable. European city focus. Fuel efficiency excellent. Swatch collaboration original concept. Mercedes-Benz engineering. Revolutionary urban mobility concept.

1.0L three-cylinder. 71hp naturally aspirated. 84hp turbo Brabus. MHD micro-hybrid drive. Start-stop technology. Sequential automated manual. Softip transmission. RWD maintained. 2695mm length increased. 1867mm wheelbase. 770kg curb weight. Improved crash protection. Safety cell enhanced. Comfort improvements. Interior quality upgraded. US market entry. Global expansion. Electric Drive variant. 75hp electric motor. Lithium-ion battery. 145km range. Urban commuter evolution.

Renault engine partnership. 0.9L turbo 90hp. 1.0L NA 71hp. Twinamic DCT available. Manual option. RWD layout continued. 2695mm length. 1873mm wheelbase. 880kg curb weight. Improved NVH. Comfort enhanced significantly. Safety features expanded. Electric Drive developed. 82hp electric motor. 17.6kWh battery. 159km NEDC range. City car segment maturation. Production ceased 2024. ICE model discontinued. Electric Fortwo ended. Brand transformation beginning. SUV pivot strategic.

Mitsubishi Colt platform. 1.1L 75hp three-cylinder. 1.3L 95hp four-cylinder. 1.5L 177hp Brabus four-cylinder. 5-speed manual. 6-speed automated. FWD layout departed from Fortwo. 3752mm length. 2500mm wheelbase. 1025kg curb weight. Four-seat configuration. Hatchback body style. Urban versatility expanded. Family capability added. Smart brand extension. Short production run. Commercial challenges. Platform sharing compromise. Brand identity questions.

Renault Twingo platform. 0.9L turbo 90hp. 1.0L NA 71hp. Manual standard. Twinamic DCT optional. RWD layout return. 3495mm length compact. 2494mm wheelbase. 975kg curb weight. Four-seat arrangement. Urban practicality. Rear engine mounting. Good interior space. Smart EQ Forfour electric. 82hp electric motor. 17.6kWh battery. 153km NEDC range. City mobility focus. Production ended 2024. Brand repositioning. SUV future direction. Urban car legacy concluded.

50-50 joint venture structure. Mercedes-Benz brand heritage. Geely technology platform. SEA architecture utilization. Chinese manufacturing location. Xi'an production facility. European design center. Sindelfingen Germany design. Chinese market primary focus. European expansion planned. Global rollout strategy. Premium compact positioning. Urban electric mobility. Technology transfer bidirectional. Scale economics benefits. Platform sharing advantages. Brand repositioning ambitious. Market segment change. City car to SUV pivot. Electric-only future commitment.

Brabus tuning partnership. Fortwo Brabus heritage. Performance enhancement focus. Power increase significant. Suspension optimization. Exterior styling aggressive. Interior luxury enhancement. Exclusive trim features. #1 Brabus dual motor. 428hp combined output. 315kW peak power. 0-100 km/h 3.9 seconds. #3 Brabus equivalent. Performance credentials. Electric performance demonstration. Brand excitement generation. Sporty variant demand. Premium pricing justified. Technology showcase. Performance EV segment. Enthusiast market appeal.

The revolutionary rear-mounted turbocharged triple that defined the original Smart Fortwo's character. This 698cc inline-three featured an aluminum block with cast-iron liners and a single overhead camshaft operating six valves via rocker arms. The turbocharger was a Mitsubishi TD025L hybrid ball-bearing unit sized specifically for instant response at city speeds, producing 10.1 psi of boost from just 1,800 RPM. The engine management system used a Siemens MS 3.1 ECU with sophisticated anti-knock control to manage the 10.0:1 compression ratio on regular unleaded. The crankshaft ran in four main bearings with a Lanchester balancer shaft to cancel inherent three-cylinder vibrations. With precisely tuned intake and exhaust lengths, it produced 61 hp at 5,250 RPM and 69 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 RPM. The entire power unit weighed just 87 kg complete with transmission, achieving a specific output of 87 hp per liter—remarkable for such a compact, cost-constrained design.

The naturally-aspirated evolution of Smart's three-cylinder philosophy with enhanced refinement and emissions compliance. This 999cc inline-three featured a dual-overhead cam design with 12 valves and continuous variable valve timing on the intake cam. The aluminum block used open-deck construction with plasma-coated iron liners, saving 3.2 kg compared to traditional cast-in liners. The crankshaft employed six counterweights and ran in four main bearings, while the balancer shaft used helical gears for quiet operation. The intake system used a variable-length manifold with resonance flaps that switched at 3,500 RPM to optimize torque delivery. With 11.5:1 compression and multi-point injection, it produced 71 hp at 6,000 RPM and 67 lb-ft of torque at 2,850 RPM. The thermal management system featured a dual-circuit cooling design with an electrically heated thermostat for rapid warm-up, crucial for meeting Euro 6 emissions standards during cold starts.

The microscopic diesel that set records for fuel efficiency in an automotive application. This 799cc inline-three featured a cast-iron block with an aluminum cylinder head and common-rail direct injection operating at 23,200 psi. The turbocharger was a variable-nozzle Garrett GT12 unit, the smallest production automotive turbocharger ever made, with vanes that could change geometry to provide boost from 1,500 RPM. The injection system used five-hole piezoelectric injectors capable of up to five injection events per cycle for noise reduction. With 19.5:1 compression and an oxidation catalyst, it produced 41 hp at 4,200 RPM and 74 lb-ft of torque at 2,000 RPM. The engine's party trick was its consumption of just 3.3 L/100km while still providing adequate urban performance. The oil system featured a compact variable-displacement pump and a miniature diesel particulate filter that regenerated automatically during deceleration.

The high-performance version of Smart's triple that brought hot hatch performance to the microcar segment. This 898cc inline-three featured a reinforced closed-deck block construction to handle increased cylinder pressures. The turbocharger was a larger BorgWarner B01 unit with electronic wastegate control, producing 17.4 psi of boost. The cylinder head used larger 30.5mm intake valves and sodium-filled 27.5mm exhaust valves, with hydraulic lash adjusters for maintenance-free operation. The fuel system upgraded to direct injection operating at 2,900 psi with six-hole solenoid injectors. With 9.5:1 compression and a water-cooled charge air cooler, it produced 109 hp at 6,000 RPM and 125 lb-ft of torque from 2,500-3,500 RPM. The cooling system used a high-flow electric water pump and a compact side-mounted intercooler that fit within the Fortwo's tiny rear engine compartment. The complete power unit weighed 96 kg yet delivered a specific output of 121 hp per liter—surpassing many contemporary sports cars.

The electric drive unit that transformed Smart into an urban EV pioneer. This liquid-cooled permanent magnet synchronous motor featured a compact radial flux design with the power electronics integrated into the motor housing. The stator used hairpin winding technology with 48 slots and a 95% slot fill factor. The rotor employed surface-mounted neodymium magnets with carbon fiber retention for operation up to 11,000 RPM. The power electronics used silicon IGBTs switching at 10 kHz in a 360V architecture. The motor produced 118 lb-ft of torque from zero RPM and 60 kW peak power, with a continuous rating of 22 kW for sustained high-speed operation. The cooling system used a single circuit with water-glycol coolant flowing through the stator housing and power electronics. The complete drive unit weighed 48 kg including reduction gearset, providing a power-to-weight ratio of 1.25 kW/kg—adequate for urban duties while maximizing the limited battery capacity.

The ultimate evolution of Smart's internal combustion engine before the brand's transition to all-electric. This 999cc inline-three featured a twin-scroll turbocharger with divided manifold that separated exhaust pulses from cylinders 1-3 and 2-4 (fired 1-3-2) to reduce turbo lag. The valvetrain included continuous variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust cams, with 40° of phasing range. The fuel system combined direct injection (2,900 psi) with port injection (58 psi) for optimal combustion across the operating range. The block used plasma-transferred wire arc coating on the cylinder walls, eliminating the need for iron liners and saving 1.8 kg. With 10.5:1 compression and 18.1 psi of boost, it produced 125 hp at 5,500 RPM and 147 lb-ft from 2,000-3,500 RPM. The thermal management system featured split cooling for cylinder head and block, plus an electric auxiliary heater for rapid cabin warm-up without relying on engine heat.

The second-generation electric drive unit with enhanced power density and thermal performance. This liquid-cooled permanent magnet motor featured a V-shaped magnet arrangement in the rotor for optimal flux concentration and reduced rare-earth material usage. The stator used formed rectangular wire with 97% slot fill factor and integrated temperature sensors in the hottest spots. The power electronics transitioned to silicon carbide MOSFETs switching at 25 kHz, reducing losses by 35% compared to previous IGBT designs. The motor produced 162 lb-ft of torque immediately and 82 kW peak power, with a continuous rating of 40 kW. The cooling system employed direct stator cooling through hollow conductors, allowing sustained high-power operation without derating. The reduction gearset used a two-stage design with helical gears for quiet operation, while the complete unit weighed 53 kg and achieved a power density of 1.55 kW/kg—adequate for the heavier Forfour platform while maintaining Smart's characteristic urban agility.

The performance-focused triple developed for Smart's sportiest model before the Daimler-Chrysler separation. This 1,331cc inline-three featured a reinforced aluminum block with cast-iron liners and a Mitsubishi TD04L-13T turbocharger with electronic boost control. The cylinder head used 15° inclined valves with 34.5mm intake and 29.5mm exhaust diameters. The fuel system employed sequential multi-point injection with individual coil-on-plug ignition. With 9.0:1 compression and 14.5 psi of boost, it produced 101 hp at 5,250 RPM and 100 lb-ft at 3,250 RPM. The engine's innovation was its 'semi-dry-sump' oiling system that used a scavenge pump for the turbocharger return while maintaining conventional lubrication for the rest of the engine. The intercooling system used a front-mounted air-to-air heat exchanger with ducting that took advantage of the Roadster's nose intake. Though modest in output, this engine delivered surprising entertainment in such a lightweight chassis, proving that Smart understood driving enjoyment as well as urban efficiency.

The revolutionary automated manual transmission that defined the original Smart Fortwo's unique driving experience. This system used a conventional 5-speed manual gearbox (based on a Renault design) coupled with electro-hydraulic actuators that controlled both clutch operation and gear selection. The transmission offered no clutch pedal—just 'Drive' and 'Reverse' selections with manual override via buttons on the dashboard or gear lever. Shift times were approximately 1-2 seconds, with characteristic pauses during gear changes as the system disengaged the clutch, selected the next gear, and re-engaged the clutch. The system included a 'soft-shift' function that reduced engine torque during shifts to minimize jerkiness, though the distinctive 'head-nod' during gear changes became a signature characteristic. The hydraulic system operated at 60 bar pressure with an electric pump maintaining system readiness. While not particularly smooth or fast-shifting, the Softip system provided excellent fuel economy and packaging efficiency that perfectly suited the Smart's urban mission. Early versions were notoriously jerky, but software updates throughout production improved shift quality significantly.

The significantly improved automated manual that addressed many of the original system's shortcomings while maintaining packaging efficiency. Still based on a conventional manual gearbox but with completely revised electro-hydraulic actuation, this 6-speed version featured faster shift times (approximately 800 milliseconds) and much-improved shift quality. The system used more sophisticated software that better coordinated clutch engagement with engine torque reduction, significantly reducing the jerkiness that plagued earlier versions. The transmission included multiple driving modes: 'Standard' provided balanced performance, 'Soft' prioritized smoothness with slower shifts, and 'Sport' offered quicker shifts at higher RPM. The hydraulic system was more efficient, requiring less energy to operate, while the clutch actuator used a more precise stepper motor for better control. The addition of a sixth gear improved both acceleration and highway cruising capability. While still an automated manual rather than a true automatic, this version provided much more acceptable shift quality for daily driving while maintaining the packaging and efficiency advantages that made the system ideal for the Smart's rear-engine layout.

The modern dual-clutch transmission that finally gave Smart the smooth, conventional automatic operation customers expected. Developed in partnership with Getrag, this 6-speed DCT uses two dry clutches—one handling odd gears (1,3,5) and the other even gears (2,4,6) and reverse. Shift times are under 200 milliseconds, a massive improvement over previous automated manuals. The transmission includes a traditional torque converter for smooth launches, eliminating the creep issues and jerkiness of previous systems. The electro-hydraulic actuation system operates at 50 bar pressure with an efficient electric pump. The transmission control unit features adaptive learning that adjusts shift patterns based on driving style, with specific calibration for urban driving conditions. Multiple driving modes are available: 'Eco' prioritizes fuel economy with early upshifts, 'Comfort' provides smooth, conventional automatic operation, and 'Sport' holds gears longer and provides quicker shifts. The Twinamic represents Smart's transition from innovative but compromised transmission solutions to conventional automatic operation that competes with mainstream competitors while maintaining the brand's efficiency and packaging advantages.

Originating from the 1994 Swatch Mercedes Art project through SMH Swatch Group partnership with Mercedes-Benz joint venture, Smart represented an innovative city car concept establishing Micro Compact Car AG with the Hambach, France production plant delivering a revolutionary urban solution. Parking space efficiency through two-seat optimization, the innovative Tridion safety cell, and interchangeable panel customization created distinctive brand identity with fuel efficiency focus as an urban mobility pioneer and electric transition early adopter. The 2019 Geely partnership brought major brand transformation through strategic SUV pivot, premium repositioning, Chinese production shift, and global market expansion maintaining electric future commitment as urban mobility evolution continues. Smart's journey from quirky city car to premium electric SUV illustrates how brand repositioning sometimes requires complete reinvention—the original two-seat concept never achieved commercial viability despite innovation and Mercedes backing, proving that clever engineering cannot overcome fundamental market rejection. The Geely partnership's transformation into electric SUVs abandons everything that made Smart unique but potentially saves the brand by pursuing profitable segments rather than defending unprofitable principles, demonstrating that sometimes survival requires abandoning founding vision entirely and that successful repositioning means recognizing when original concepts have failed rather than persisting with noble but money-losing idealism.