2023-06-25 22:00:00
With the #1, the Smart brand dares a radical new beginning. The electric five-seater convinces as an unusual space miracle.
25 years ago, the Smart brand turned the car world upside down. With its radical design and cool minimalism, the first fortwo conquered the cities from 1998. Especially young creative people, and those who wanted to appear like that, went for the only 2.5 meter long dwarf.
Smart is celebrating a comeback in Europe with Geely
While the convertible and roadster (from 2003) continued the basic idea, unfortunately hardly anything better followed. At the latest with the unimaginative forfour model, Smart was a car brand like many others – and in view of the steep prices, it was soon doomed to economic decline. The half-hearted attempts to position the brand as an electric pioneer at the latest prove that Mercedes had long since lost joy in Smart.
But under the aegis of the Chinese manufacturer Geely, Smart is now making a comeback in Europe.
Smart #1 as an all-purpose vehicle for young families with a surprising amount of space
Even the name of the new model suggests that you don’t see yourself in the tradition of the 90s model. The #1 (pronounced “Hashtag One” or “Number One”) sees itself as an electric all-purpose vehicle for young families. And as such, it is actually extremely well done.
The design looks a bit smooth and like it was squeezed out of a chewing gum machine. But the #1 is by no means inferior. Quite the opposite: especially in the interior, the 4.27 meter long five-seater impresses with good workmanship, high-quality materials and a surprising amount of space.
Cockpit in #1 with unrest
If you close all storage compartments of the round center console, this creates an almost cockpit-like atmosphere with the dashboard, which goes well with the impeccable seats.
The infotainment system also looks youthful and playful. The center of the 12.8-inch, central display is usually an animated globe around which a digital fox hops. The display of an iPod for music selection also looks pretty cute at first. In the long run, however, one wishes for the no-frills ergonomics of other brands. The smaller monitor in the driver’s field of vision attracted attention in the test mainly due to warning messages from the hypersensitive attention assistant. The digital watchdog even acknowledged brief checks to the side with energetic beeping. According to the importer, this is due to the settings of the pre-series vehicle and should be eliminated at the latest when sales start in the summer.
In terms of driving, the #1 offers an uncomplicated plug-and-play feeling: accelerate, brake and steer – driving can be that easy. But also a little emotionless. The 200 kW/272 hp have an easy time with the almost 1.8 tons curb weight. The Stromer, which is designed to be more comfortable, is not really dynamic even in Sport mode.
IN THE TEST
Smart #1 Premium
Five-seater electric SUV, 200 kW/272 hp, single-speed gearbox, rear-wheel drive. 1788 kg, loading space 313 l (plus 15 l frunk), battery 66 kWh, range. 440 km, consumption 16.8 kWh/100 km according to WLTP, in the test: 17.9 kWh, max. charging capacity 22 kW (DC), 150 kW (AC). Price: from 45,900 euros.
What likes:
The quality, the interior design, the impressive feeling of space and the range.
What I don’t like:
The lively, somewhat restless infotainment.
What surprises:
In the end, some smart feeling survived.
Perfect for:
All those who do not insist on European technology.
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