After years of waiting and speculation, the Smart SUV is unveiled, in the form of a surprising concept car.
It has been a few years since we know that Smart is preparing a SUV, while the firm had unveiled in 2005 a concept called ForMore, which ultimately never saw the light of day in the form of a production model. This will not have stopped the curious to speculate on the arrival of a raised model within the brand, for the time being only composed of city cars, with the ForTwo and ForFour. A few months ago, the German brand has yet again talked about its small SUV, by presenting sketches giving a small idea of the design of this model, announced for next year. It is therefore on the occasion of the Munich Motor Show that the brand gives its news again, by lifting the veil on Concept # 1, a style study foreshadowing a production model, whose launch date has not not yet specified. Offering a glimpse of what the firm is preparing for the years to come, especially in terms of electrification, the small SUV will also serve as a technological showcase for the future.
Baptized Smart Concept #1, this astonishing vehicle sports rather unexpected lines, thus operating a 360 ° turn compared to what the brand currently offers. Here, the features are refined, while the short overhangs give a certain dynamism to the silhouette. The large gaping grille is surmounted by rather aggressive optics, whose shape echoes the taillights. Well placed on its large 21-inch wheels, the vehicle has been shaped to optimize aerodynamics, thanks in particular to its hidden handles, simply materialized by light elements. It will then be enough to simply pass the hand to open the doors. On board, the presentation is very futuristic, with independent and very enveloping seats. Highlighting the premium positioning of the brand, this Concept # 1 is distinguished by a very elegant and technological interior. The dashboard is indeed equipped with a large 12.8-inch 3D touch screen, while the driver should logically be assisted by a digital instrument panel.
Technological and electrical
Displaying relatively small dimensions, with a length of only 4.30 meters, the Smart Concept # 1 is however very livable, taking advantage of a wheelbase displayed at 2.75 meters. Enough to comfortably accommodate four occupants, although the standard version will be equipped with five seats, as the brand specifies in its press release. If it has not yet given all the details about its future SUV, it emphasizes however that “ the next generation of smart models will offer the highest level of dynamic handling and passive safety “. Many technological equipment should therefore be fitted to the standard version, which will also be able to benefit from remote updates via the cloud. However, not a word about the engine that will equip the vehicle when it goes into production. If we know that it will be electric, like the rest of the range, nothing has yet been said about its precise characteristics. As a reminder, the Smart ForTwo and ForFour are developing 60 kW, a power that could undoubtedly be revised upwards on the SUV, but all this is for the moment only pure speculation.
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After years of waiting and speculation, the Smart SUV is unveiled, in the form of a surprising concept car.
It has been a few years since we know that Smart is preparing a SUV, while the firm had unveiled in 2005 a concept called ForMore, which ultimately never saw the light of day in the form of a production model. This will not have stopped the curious to speculate on the arrival of a raised model within the brand, for the time being only composed of city cars, with the ForTwo and ForFour. A few months ago, the German brand has yet again talked about its small SUV, by presenting sketches giving a small idea of the design of this model, announced for next year. It is therefore on the occasion of the Munich Motor Show that the brand gives its news again, by lifting the veil on Concept # 1, a style study foreshadowing a production model, whose launch date has not not yet specified. Offering a glimpse of what the firm is preparing for the years to come, especially in terms of electrification, the small SUV will also serve as a technological showcase for the future.
Baptized Smart Concept #1, this astonishing vehicle sports rather unexpected lines, thus operating a 360 ° turn compared to what the brand currently offers. Here, the features are refined, while the short overhangs give a certain dynamism to the silhouette. The large gaping grille is surmounted by rather aggressive optics, whose shape echoes the taillights. Well placed on its large 21-inch wheels, the vehicle has been shaped to optimize aerodynamics, thanks in particular to its hidden handles, simply materialized by light elements. It will then be enough to simply pass the hand to open the doors. On board, the presentation is very futuristic, with independent and very enveloping seats. Highlighting the premium positioning of the brand, this Concept # 1 is distinguished by a very elegant and technological interior. The dashboard is indeed equipped with a large 12.8-inch 3D touch screen, while the driver should logically be assisted by a digital instrument panel.
Technological and electrical
Displaying relatively small dimensions, with a length of only 4.30 meters, the Smart Concept # 1 is however very livable, taking advantage of a wheelbase displayed at 2.75 meters. Enough to comfortably accommodate four occupants, although the standard version will be equipped with five seats, as the brand specifies in its press release. If it has not yet given all the details about its future SUV, it emphasizes however that “ the next generation of smart models will offer the highest level of dynamic handling and passive safety “. Many technological equipment should therefore be fitted to the standard version, which will also be able to benefit from remote updates via the cloud. However, not a word about the engine that will equip the vehicle when it goes into production. If we know that it will be electric, like the rest of the range, nothing has yet been said about its precise characteristics. As a reminder, the Smart ForTwo and ForFour are developing 60 kW, a power that could undoubtedly be revised upwards on the SUV, but all this is for the moment only pure speculation.
Also read on Auto-Moto.com:
Used Smart EQ Fortwo: our opinion, from 9,500 Euros
Smart EQ Fortwo trial (2020): she quits smoking
Used Smart Fortwo electric: price, reliability, reviews
