Is a medium SUV with a wheelbase of 2900mm still considered smart?
For Tong Xiangbei, the global CEO of the smart brand, the answer is “Yes.”
This vehicle is the all-new smart #5, which officially began pre-sales starting at 245,000 yuan on September 20. In a post-launch interview, Zhang Mingxia, Vice President of Sales, Marketing, and After-Sales for smart brand globally, addressed doubts surrounding this vehicle, stating: “We don’t want to be defined by size or technical routes,” adding, “The core of smart is to open your mind, but also to keep up with the times,” and highlighted that “smart needs a larger market share.”
As a luxury compact five-seater SUV, the all-new smart #5 targets the medium pure electric SUV market, a segment that the smart brand has never ventured into before.
In terms of appearance, the new design follows the “Sensual Purity” design philosophy of the Mercedes-Benz global design team. The most significant departure from previous smart products is the introduction of many angular lines alongside the previously rounded forms. Along with features such as a roof platform, small backpack storage, side climbing ladder, chassis safety armor, and side steps, the vehicle exudes a more rugged vibe.
On the interior front, zero-gravity seats, a one-button “first class” mode, and electric heating adjustments are all included, keeping the vehicle fully “up to date.”
In terms of smart technology, it features a 10.3-inch ultra-HD LCD instrument screen, a 13-inch AMOLED dual-screen with 2.5K resolution, and a 25.6-inch AR-HUD head-up display, forming a six-screen intelligent interaction system. Additionally, the vehicle utilizes a desktop-level AMD V2000 chip that offers nearly twice the processing power of the Snapdragon 8295 chip, enabling it to achieve top-tier effects for Unreal 3A game-level rendering.
For power, the #5 is equipped with an 800V pure electric high-voltage platform and 4C ultra-fast charging technology, allowing it to achieve 500 kilometers of range in just 15 minutes. The new vehicle also boasts a CLTC maximum range of 740 kilometers, alleviating users' range anxiety.
For smart, which is undergoing transformation, the biggest change with the #5 is that it presents itself as a “rugged” SUV, indeed showcasing stronger performance capabilities. Its dual-motor all-wheel-drive version boasts a peak total output of 475kW, with a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of just 4.9 seconds. With the addition of air suspension, the smart #5 also achieves a maximum fording depth of 500mm and the ability to tackle slopes of 45°.
