Smart Prepares the #2 as a New Take on the Modern City Car

The original Smart brand was shaped by the ForTwo, but that chapter came to an end in 2024 as the company went through a major transformation.

The city car, however, is not gone for good. A direct successor is already in development and is expected to make its global debut next year.

After a series of deliberately vague teasers earlier this autumn, Smart has now released the first official images of the upcoming #2.

At first glance it looks very familiar, and for good reason: the prototypes shown are development mules wearing ForTwo bodywork.

These images don’t reveal much in terms of final design, but Smart has confirmed that the #2 will remain faithful to the ultra-compact footprint that defined its predecessor.

The company says its reimagined city car will preserve several core traits, including a two-door, two-seat layout, rear-wheel drive, and the trademark wheels-at-the-corners stance.

Despite this clear link to the past, the production model will feature a completely new interior and exterior designed by Mercedes-Benz’s design team. The goal is to give the #2 a fresh identity while maintaining the spirit of the original, paired with a more modern look and feel.

While Smart has shared few concrete details, the #2 is expected to follow the design language introduced by the #1, #3, and #5. This likely means a closed-off front end with a full-width light signature, clean surfacing, flush door handles, and a minimalist cabin.

What has been confirmed is that the #2 will be built on Smart’s new Electric Compact Architecture (ECA). This platform is said to underpin a next-generation electric drivetrain, advanced safety systems, and an urban driving experience unlike anything the brand has offered before.

Development is well underway, with test mules currently running in multiple locations around the world. Much of the testing is taking place in China, where engineers are fine-tuning ride comfort, handling, and braking. Additional testing focuses on battery durability, crash safety, and climate system performance in different environments.

Although work is still ongoing, the Smart #2 is scheduled to debut toward the end of next year. When it arrives, the company believes it will set new standards in the city car segment that Smart helped create nearly three decades ago.