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Smart #2 Returns the Brand to Its City-Car Roots—And It Might Be the EV We’ve Been Waiting For

For the better part of a decade, Smart seemed determined to outrun the very idea that made it famous. The once pint-sized city-car specialist traded microcars for a lineup of increasingly larger electric crossovers, culminating in the imposing #5 SUV. Now, however, the company is heading back to familiar territory—and perhaps rediscovering its identity in the process.

Meet the all-new Smart #2.

Scheduled to make its global debut at the Paris Motor Show this October before arriving in UK showrooms next year, the #2 replaces the iconic Fortwo with an entirely new electric platform, fresh technology, and a premium philosophy that aims to prove small cars no longer have to feel like compromises.

Small Size, Big Ambitions

At just 2,792 mm (110 inches) long, the Smart #2 remains astonishingly compact. It’s only around 100 mm longer than the outgoing Fortwo, making it one of the smallest electric passenger cars available—and comfortably shorter than the Fiat 500e. Only quadricycle-class vehicles such as the Citroën Ami and Microlino occupy less road space.

Yet Smart insists this isn’t simply another tiny EV. Thanks to Geely’s dedicated Electric Compact Architecture, the #2 has been engineered from the ground up as an electric vehicle rather than adapted from an internal-combustion platform. That allows engineers to maximize cabin space while keeping the trademark wheels-at-the-corners stance that defined the original Fortwo.

The payoff is impressive. A turning circle of just 6.95 meters should make navigating crowded city streets and squeezing into impossible parking spaces easier than ever.

Premium Is the New Practical

The original Fortwo succeeded because it was unapologetically functional. The new #2 wants to add something its predecessor rarely delivered: desirability.

Mercedes-Benz, which continues to oversee Smart’s design direction through its partnership with Geely, has infused the #2 with a cleaner, more sophisticated aesthetic. Prototype images suggest the production model will stay remarkably faithful to the concept shown earlier this year, featuring minimalist surfacing and balanced proportions that look more upscale than quirky.

Inside, Smart promises a cabin that elevates the city-car experience well beyond basic transportation. While full interior details remain under wraps, the company hints at premium leather, translucent trim pieces, elegant two-tone finishes, and a minimalist layout designed around quality rather than cost-cutting.

Perhaps the boldest idea is the replacement of conventional front seats with a bench seat—a layout almost unheard of in modern passenger cars. Smart says the unconventional arrangement creates additional usable space while reinforcing the cabin’s lounge-like atmosphere.

Whether buyers embrace the idea remains to be seen, but it’s certainly more imaginative than simply adding another oversized touchscreen.

Urban EV, Modern Technology

Although Smart is saving many technical specifications for the Paris reveal, the company has confirmed several key figures.

The #2 will offer up to 186 miles (300 km) of driving range, placing it squarely in the sweet spot for daily urban commuting and occasional weekend trips. Fast-charging capability allows the battery to recharge from 10 to 80 percent in under 20 minutes, minimizing downtime during longer journeys.

The city car will also feature vehicle-to-load (V2L) capability, enabling owners to power external devices directly from the battery—useful for camping, outdoor activities, or emergency backup power.

Rediscovering Smart’s Identity

For years, Smart appeared eager to distance itself from the microcar formula that built its reputation. Crossovers like the #1, #3, and #5 expanded the brand’s reach but also blurred its identity in an increasingly crowded electric SUV market.

The #2 changes that narrative.

Instead of chasing larger vehicles, Smart is embracing the challenge of making small cars genuinely exciting again. Design chief Kai Sieber describes the concept as a vision where “function becomes fashion,” arguing that a city car should inspire emotion rather than merely solve transportation problems.

That philosophy is evident throughout the vehicle. The compact footprint remains, but the execution feels more sophisticated, more luxurious, and considerably more aspirational than anything wearing a Smart badge before it.

Pricing Remains the Biggest Question

Smart hasn’t announced pricing, but expectations should be tempered. The discontinued electric Fortwo started at around £22,000, and the significantly more advanced platform, richer interior, and improved technology suggest the #2 will command a noticeable premium.

Whether customers are willing to pay more for a two-seat city car remains one of the biggest unknowns.

There’s also speculation that Smart could eventually stretch the platform into a four-seat variant, effectively reviving the Forfour. Such a model would place the company directly against electric superminis like the Renault 5, Citroën C3, and the upcoming DS 3 EV, expanding Smart’s reach without abandoning its urban-first philosophy.

The Smart #2 isn’t trying to be another compact crossover pretending to be adventurous. Instead, it embraces the idea that great city cars can be compact, stylish, technologically advanced, and genuinely premium.

If the production model delivers on the promise shown by its concept—and Smart keeps pricing within reach—the brand may finally have found the perfect balance between honoring its past and embracing an electric future.

Sometimes the smartest move isn’t getting bigger. It’s remembering what made you special in the first place.

Source: Smart

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Genesis Eyes a Smaller EV, But It Won’t Rush the Race

Genesis isn’t chasing every emerging market trend—and that’s precisely what could make its next move one of the smartest in the premium EV segment.

While luxury automakers scramble to fill every conceivable niche, Genesis is taking a more measured approach. The Korean premium brand is openly considering a compact electric vehicle positioned below today’s GV60, but executives insist that expansion will happen only when the business case makes long-term sense—not because the market demands a quick response.

At present, the GV60 serves as Genesis’ entry point into electric mobility. Measuring roughly 177 inches (4.5 meters) long, the stylish crossover still leaves considerable room for a smaller, more affordable model. The idea isn’t entirely new, either. Back in 2019, Genesis previewed what a compact luxury EV could look like with the delightfully unconventional Mint Concept, a city-focused two-door that hinted at an entirely different direction for the brand.

Now, that possibility appears to be back on the table.

Speaking about Genesis’ future product strategy, Genesis Europe Managing Director Peter Kronschnabl confirmed the company is actively evaluating additional market segments as it looks to attract new customers. While he stopped short of confirming a production-ready compact EV, he acknowledged that smaller vehicles remain under consideration.

With Hyundai preparing to introduce the Ioniq 3 as its next mainstream electric crossover, speculation naturally turns to whether Genesis could eventually offer a premium counterpart. Kronschnabl isn’t ready to reveal those plans, but he made it clear the company is studying where future growth opportunities lie.

The emphasis, however, isn’t simply on building a smaller car—it’s on building the right smaller car.

Genesis has little interest in chasing fashionable niches simply because competitors are doing so. Kronschnabl pointed to premium pickup trucks as an example. While there’s arguably room in the luxury market for such a vehicle, white space alone isn’t enough to justify development.

That’s an increasingly rare philosophy in today’s automotive landscape, where manufacturers often rush into emerging segments hoping to capture early demand before carefully evaluating whether those markets can sustain long-term profitability.

Instead, Genesis appears determined to grow deliberately, ensuring every new model strengthens the brand rather than diluting it.

That patient strategy has become something of a defining characteristic for Genesis. Since its launch, the brand has steadily built credibility through thoughtful design, high-quality interiors, and competitive pricing instead of relying on volume or aggressive badge expansion. In many ways, it’s the opposite approach taken by several legacy luxury brands that now find themselves juggling increasingly crowded lineups.

For Genesis, success isn’t measured by how quickly it can fill every market gap.

As Kronschnabl describes it, building Genesis is “a marathon, not a sprint.”

That mindset could prove particularly valuable as the EV market enters its next phase. Early adoption has given way to a more mature landscape where buyers are becoming increasingly selective, and simply launching another electric crossover is no longer enough. Product differentiation, profitability, and brand identity matter more than ever.

If Genesis ultimately introduces a compact electric model, expect it to reflect those priorities rather than simply becoming a smaller GV60. Whether inspired by the Mint Concept or developed as an entirely new product, any future entry-level Genesis EV will likely aim to deliver the refinement, design sophistication, and premium experience the brand has become known for—just in a more accessible package.

For now, Genesis isn’t confirming timelines, names, or production plans. But its willingness to openly discuss smaller electric vehicles suggests the conversation has already moved beyond mere speculation.

And when Genesis finally decides to enter the segment, don’t expect it to arrive first.

Expect it to arrive when Genesis believes it can do it better.

Source: Genesis

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Audi A2 Returns as an EV

Some cars are simply ahead of their time. The original Audi A2 was one of them—a lightweight aluminum hatchback that prioritized efficiency long before electrification became the industry’s obsession. Buyers largely overlooked it in the early 2000s, but history has been kind to Audi’s unconventional experiment. Now, more than two decades later, the A2 is making a comeback, and it arrives at exactly the right moment.

Audi has officially confirmed that the all-new electric A2 will debut this autumn, and fresh prototype images have revealed far more than the company probably intended. With much of the camouflage removed, the compact crossover clearly pays homage to its predecessor, borrowing the distinctive teardrop silhouette and tapered rear bodywork that made the original instantly recognizable.

Rather than serving as a nostalgic exercise, the new A2 represents an important strategic shift for the German brand. As Audi expands its electric lineup, it needs a model that lowers the barrier to entry without compromising the premium image the four rings have spent decades building. The A2 E-tron is expected to become exactly that—a practical, compact EV designed to bring new customers into the Audi family.

According to CEO Gernot Döllner, customer demand played a major role in bringing the A2 name back to life.

“We’ve listened. Our customers want electric mobility that impresses in everyday life. The A2 E-tron is our promise to deliver exactly that: efficient, compact and confident. We’re making entry into the electric Audi world easier and more relevant than ever.”

That mission extends beyond marketing language. The new A2 will replace the outgoing A1 and Q2 as Audi’s most affordable model, with pricing expected to start below £30,000—making it the least expensive electric Audi yet.

Beneath the familiar-looking bodywork sits Volkswagen Group’s proven MEB electric platform, shared with the Volkswagen ID.3. That means buyers can expect competitive range, modern charging capability, and a spacious interior despite the vehicle’s compact footprint. Döllner describes it as “compact on the outside yet very spacious on the inside,” emphasizing efficiency and usability rather than outright performance.

While it won’t replicate the original A2’s groundbreaking aluminum spaceframe, the philosophy remains remarkably similar. Aerodynamics once again take center stage, with the smooth roofline and rounded profile engineered to maximize efficiency and extend driving range. In many ways, the new car follows the same blueprint that made the first-generation A2 such an engineering curiosity—it simply replaces lightweight aluminum with electric propulsion.

Audi itself acknowledges the connection, calling the revived name a deliberate tribute to one of its most forward-thinking models. The company says the new EV will continue the original A2’s mission of redefining efficiency, this time for an era where battery-powered mobility has become the industry’s defining challenge.

The timing also couldn’t be better. Premium automakers are increasingly recognizing that the future of EV growth won’t be driven solely by luxury flagships but by smaller, more attainable models that appeal to a much broader audience. If Audi can combine premium refinement, competitive pricing, and practical everyday usability, the A2 could become one of the brand’s most significant electric launches in years.

Audi has yet to announce the exact reveal date beyond confirming an autumn debut, but all signs point toward October’s Paris Motor Show. With Audi already listed among the exhibitors, Europe’s biggest automotive stage seems like the perfect place to reintroduce one of the company’s most misunderstood nameplates.

The original A2 spent years being appreciated only by enthusiasts who understood how revolutionary it really was. Its successor won’t have that problem. This time, the automotive world is finally ready for exactly the kind of car the A2 always wanted to be.

Source: Audi

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