Smart #3 electric crossover breaks cover

China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has published pictures and details of the upcoming 2023 Smart #3, revealing how the Geely-Mercedes-owned brand will expand its line-up to conquer new markets.

Following in the tyre tracks of the Smart #1, the rakish coupe-style Smart #3 shares much with its smaller sibling including Geely’s advanced SEA platform, while Mercedes-Benz has again been tasked with designing its exterior and cabin.

Mimicking the smoother styling of the Smart #1, the Smart #3 looks to have identical headlights, tail-lights, door mirrors and pop-out door handles.

Where the Smart #3 differs is with its sportier rear roofline.

As well as showing pics of the core model, the leak from the Chinese government’s homologation department also includes a sportier Brabus version that gets an unusual slim air intake below the leading edge of the bonnet.

Measuring in at 4400mm long, 1844mm wide and standing 1556mm tall, the Smart #3 is 130mm longer, 22mm wider and 80mm lower than the #1, occupying a similar footprint to the Mercedes-Benz GLA.

There’s no look inside, but the skateboard-style EV platform should enable more interior space compared to combustion-powered rivals.

Like the #1, we expect the swoopier Smart #3 to come with a huge 12.8-inch infotainment screen that is both customisable and offers a 3D avatar that acts as an on-board assistant.

Ahead of the driver is a smaller 9.8-inch digital instrument cluster.

Offsetting its hefty kerb weight (1740-1890kg), even the entry-level Smart #3 comes with a single 200kW motor driving the rear wheels, while the most powerful version will get two electric motors that pump out 315kW/543Nm combined.

That should ensure it comes close to matching the Smart #1 Brabus’ 0-100km/h sprint of just 3.7 seconds.

What is missing from the comprehensive leak is whether the electric motors are fed current by the same 66kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt battery as the Smart #1. If so, expect the driving range to vary from 420-440km.

With right-hand drive variants of the Smart #1 set to go on sale by the middle of 2023 in markets like the UK – sold through the Mercedes-Benz dealer network – it’s been tipped that a similar tact could be used here in Australia.

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