Benz’s Struggling Subsidiary Bounces Back with New SUV Concept

Smart, a subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz, has been suffering from poor sales. However, they recently unveiled a concept car model.

Introducing the Smart #5, a midsize SUV concept car.

Do you remember SMART, known for its collaboration with Mercedes and Swatch and for producing small electric cars? While these vehicles were occasionally seen in Korea, they failed to benefit from their size (larger than a compact car) and were expensive. As a result, they gradually disappeared and became known as unfortunate cars.

This phenomenon was not unique to Korea; it was also observed in the United States and other countries. Recently, Smart announced plans to launch an electric off-road vehicle, sparking interest in whether the brand could be revived. The concept car was unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show, but what does it look like?

The arrival of the Smart #5 concept car, a midsize electric SUV

The Smart #5, an off-road SUV from Smart scheduled to be released in China later this year, is a midsize pure electric SUV with dimensions of 185 inches in length, 85 inches in width, and 74 inches in height.

At the show, the size was compared to that of the Audi Q3 and Volvo XC40, giving some idea of its size. The standout design feature is the Time Capsule light strip design at the front and rear. The divided LED lights differentiate it from other models and establish it as a unique feature of the Smart #5. As it is a concept car, many changes will likely occur when the production model is released. However, details like an LCD screen displaying tire pressure and the vehicle’s lock status can be seen.

The Smart #5 features the most giant battery pack in its class, and the level of interior options has also been raised.

The performance of the Smart #5 has been standardized to the level expected of a pure electric off-road SUV. It features an 800V architecture for rapid charging and a battery pack exceeding 100kWh, providing a significantly improved driving range of nearly 342 miles. Although specific information about the output and powertrain has not been released, it is expected to be a four-wheel drive with dual motors, producing about 154 horsepower at the front and 268 horsepower at the rear, for a combined output of approximately 422 horsepower. It was also revealed that a cheaper single-motor option would be offered in the future, providing a wide range of choices.

How will the production model be released?

The interior features a range of standout technologies, including a triple screen with an embedded AMD V2000 chip that extends from the driver’s seat to the passenger’s seat. A smart assistant pilot feature for driving assistance is also available, suggesting various options. The interior can accommodate four people with two rows of independent seats, and a five-seat model is expected to be released in the future.