smart Concept #5 heralded the emergence of a mid-size crossover – Autoreview

After coming under the wing of a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and the Chinese holding Geely, the smart brand moved away from the concept of a manufacturer of miniature city cars. The first model of the new era two years ago was smart #1 — a five-seater electric crossover with a curb weight of 1820 kg. And now an even larger electric car with off-road capabilities has been prepared. True, so far only in the form of the smart Concept #5 show car.

As befits a concept, the “fifth” Smart sports a shocking body kit and accessories hinting at solid off-road potential. The bumpers are decorated with massive power protection, a stylish expeditionary trunk and an LED “chandelier” are located on the roof, and the image is enhanced by the branch cutters stretched between the hood and the roof. The wheels are shod with toothy and high-profile tires. However, if we cut off all the show car surroundings, we will find ourselves with a mid-size crossover with laconic forms, although its exact dimensions have not yet been made public.

The interior of the concept, in the latest fashion, is equipped with three screens on the front panel. The central and right ones (both 13 inches diagonal) are made using OLED technology and neatly fit into a single frame with rounded corners. The instrument display is installed in a separate niche. All this equipment is equipped with artificial intelligence and runs on an AMD V2000 chip. In addition, portable speakers and a projector are provided to create an outdoor cinema.

Among the technical features of the smart Concept #5 crossover, only an 800-volt electric platform with support for super-fast charging has been announced so far. The 100 kWh battery charges from 10 to 80% in just 15 minutes, and with a full charge, the SUV can cover 700 km according to the Chinese CLTC cycle or 550 km according to the international WLTP method.

Considering the relationship with smart models #1 and #3, it is easy to assume the presence of the modular SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) platform of the Geely holding, which involves various combinations of power units, including dual-motor all-wheel drive. The serial smart #5 is expected in the second half of this year.