PARIS, FRANCE – The car that made Smart famous is back. The new Smart #2, revealed at the 2026 Paris Motor Show, is the electric successor to the iconic ForTwo, and it returns to the brand’s original recipe: two seats, tiny dimensions and a focus on city life. Prices in Europe start at €19,990, and orders are already open.
Over the past few years Smart has grown up, with the larger #1, #3 and #5 SUVs designed for families. The #2 is a deliberate return to its roots, and for many fans it is the Smart they have been waiting for.
Small is beautiful
The #2 measures just 2,764 mm long, 1,669 mm wide and 1,555 mm tall, with a 1,875 mm wheelbase. That makes it one of the smallest cars on sale anywhere, and it keeps the ForTwo’s party trick of being able to slip into parking spaces other cars can only dream of. A turning circle of just 3.35 metres makes it extremely nimble in tight streets.
The design is a modern take on the classic ForTwo shape, with a short, upright body, big wheels pushed to the corners and friendly LED lighting. It is designed by Mercedes-Benz and built by Geely, the two companies that share ownership of Smart, combining German design with Chinese engineering and manufacturing.
Rear motor and rear-wheel drive
Like the original ForTwo, the #2 puts its motor at the back, driving the rear wheels. The electric motor produces 60 kW (80 hp), which is plenty for a car this small and light, especially in city traffic where instant electric torque makes it feel lively. The suspension uses MacPherson struts at the front and a five-link set-up at the rear, a sophisticated design for such a compact car.
Battery, range and charging
Power comes from a 35.8 kWh LFP battery supplied by CATL. In China the #2 is rated at 410 km on the CLTC cycle, while the European version is targeting around 290 km (180 miles) WLTP; final homologation figures will follow. For a car designed mainly for urban driving, that is more than enough for a week of commuting on a single charge.
DC fast charging runs at up to 65 kW, taking the battery from 10 to 80 percent in about 20 minutes. Most owners, however, will simply plug in at home or at work overnight.
Prices and versions
In Europe, the #2 is offered in four versions:
- Pure: €19,990
- Pure+: €20,990
- Premium: €24,490
- Couture Edition: €25,690
In China, the launch Couture Edition costs 112,999 yuan and is limited to 999 units, with deliveries promised within the year. Smart has also confirmed a sporty Brabus version of the #2, continuing the tradition of hot Smart models that began with the original ForTwo Brabus.
The return of a city icon
The original Smart ForTwo arrived in 1998 and became a symbol of urban mobility, famous for being parked nose-first against the kerb in crowded European cities. It went fully electric in its final years before production ended in 2024, leaving a gap that no other carmaker has really filled. Most small electric cars today are four-seat superminis, and very few offer the ForTwo’s combination of tiny size, rear-wheel drive and two-seat practicality.
By bringing the concept back at a sub-€20,000 price, Smart is betting that city dwellers still want a car that is as easy to park as a scooter but with a roof, heating and air-conditioning. With more European cities introducing low-emission zones and parking restrictions, the timing could be perfect.
Inside the #2
Despite its tiny footprint, the #2 is designed to feel modern and comfortable inside. Like Smart’s larger models, it is expected to get a clean, screen-focused dashboard, connected services and smartphone integration, with the higher Premium and Couture Edition trims adding more equipment and premium finishes. Two adults sit side by side with surprising shoulder room, and there is space behind the seats for shopping, a gym bag or a briefcase.
The packaging is clever. Putting the motor at the rear and the battery under the floor frees up the front of the car and keeps the centre of gravity low, which helps the #2 feel stable and planted despite its short wheelbase. It is a layout that worked brilliantly in the original ForTwo, and Smart has wisely kept it for the new generation.
Who is it for?
The #2 is aimed at urban drivers, young professionals, car-sharing fleets and households that want a second car purely for short trips. Its rivals are not so much other cars as alternatives to driving altogether: scooters, e-bikes and public transport. Against those, the #2 offers weather protection, comfort and safety in a footprint not much bigger than a large motorbike parked sideways.
For Gulf cities such as Dubai and Riyadh, where most driving is done in air-conditioned comfort on wide roads, the #2 may be a niche choice. But in older, denser cities like Beirut, where parking is a daily battle, a car this compact could make a lot of sense.
Smart #2: key facts
- Type: Two-seat electric city car, ForTwo successor
- Size: 2,764 mm long, 1,875 mm wheelbase
- Motor: 60 kW (80 hp), rear-wheel drive
- Battery: 35.8 kWh LFP (CATL)
- Range: Around 290 km WLTP (target), 410 km CLTC
- Charging: 65 kW DC, 10–80% in about 20 minutes
- Price: From €19,990 in Europe