smart #1 Open For Booking
The smart #1 BEV (battery electric vehicle) is now open for booking online. Since it’s nearing the end of the 3rd quarter of the year, it means official smart distributor, PRO-NET, will be ramping up product awareness ahead of the scheduled Q4 launch. The smart #1 has already made several rounds of previews and we can expect more on the way.
The smart official website (https://my.smart.com/#/) shows off multiple images of #1’s exterior and interior, highlighting key features, but short of publishing the spec sheets. From one of the previews we had at the PROTON Design Centre and test track (PRO-NET is a PROTON subsidiary), 2 variants are being prepared for Malaysia i.e. the smart #1 Premium and smart #1 Brabus.
The #1 Premium uses a single motor to drive the rear axle. This motor produces 200 kW (268 hp) and 343 Nm and gets energy from a 66 kWh ternary lithium battery. The official 0 – 100 km/h sprint time is clocked at 6.7 seconds, and the driving range is 440 km (WLTP).
Meanwhile, the Brabus variant has 2 motors, one on each axle, to make it all-wheel-drive. Consequently, it has a higher power output of 315 kW (428 hp) and 584 Nm which allows it to do the century sprint in 3.9 seconds. The same 66 kWh battery gives a WLTP driving range of 400 km.
With an exterior designed by smart stakeholder Mercedes-Benz, on Geely’s modular SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) platform for EVs, the #1 measures 4,270 mm long, 1,822 mm wide and 1,636 mm tall. It has a ground clearance is 182 mm and a wheelbase 2,750 mm in length. Boot space measures 323 litres but is expandable to 411 litres by sliding the rear seat bench forward. Folding the rear seats down will increase cargo space to 986 litres. There is also a 15-litre front trunk to store such items as a charging cable.
Notable exterior features include an illuminated front grille with LED lighting animations, illuminated smart logos, floating panoramic halo roof, and concealed electric door handles with lighting and frameless doors to reduce drag. The CyberSparksLED+ adaptive matrix headlights not only adapt to ensure optimal nighttime visibility while safeguarding other motorists from the glare, but is also part of a musical light show which works together with the Beats by Dr Dre 13-speaker sound system.
The interior of the car has a minimalist Bauhaus design dominated by thick T-shaped dashboard and centre console, with a 12.8″ floating infotainment touchscreen which houses most of the car’s functions such as climate control, navigation, front passenger seat adjustment, etc. It will also come with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. According to PRO-NET, the OS user interface will be localised to include charging network, etc. In addition to the central touchscreen, there is a 9.2″ instrument display that pairs with a 10″ full colour head-up display to minimise eye movement away from the road.
Other cabin features include the 64-color dual zone ambient lighting system with 20 lighting levels, wireless charging pad, a Courtesy Seat for easy ingress and egress, ventilated front seats, centre glove box with chiller, and an electric sun blind.
On the test track, the #1 was easy to get used to with the car’s body leaning quite predictably in the banked turns. Even around the lower speed courses, the car felt like something that will have proper road manners. The Brabus version however, gets its suspension retuned to carry the extra motor and is naturally swift in accelerating. It did feel a little rough as a rear passenger, and a little loud as well thanks to the Brabus soundtrack that plays through the speakers. Whether the volume can be adjusted for this remains to be seen as this was a pre-production unit with limited access to menus. But overall, the #1 is a cute-sy package targeting the hip and happening crowd. Unless you are looking for cute aggression, in which case you should wait for the Brabus.
You can register your interest in the official website or the Hello Smart mobile app (available from Apple App Store, Google Play Store and Huawei AppGallery) where you can also place a booking.
