The all-new two-seater electric model, the smart #2, will be launched in China, Europe, and other international markets, with its global debut scheduled for late 2026.
On September 2, smart China confirmed that the all-new two-seater electric model, the smart #2, will officially debut at the end of 2026.
Nearly three decades after the original smart fortwo was born, the iconic compact two-seater is set to make its return to the market.
One day before the announcement, smart teased the launch on social media with the message “See you 2morrow,” sparking widespread discussion about the new model.
According to the company, the smart #2 will be a full upgrade of the original fortwo, positioned as a two-door, two-seat pure electric city car, and differentiated from smart’s current SUV-focused lineup, which includes the #1, #3, and #5.
In terms of development, the exterior design of the smart #2 will be led by Mercedes-Benz’s design team, while engineering and R&D will be handled by smart.
Built on a new platform, the model will target customers in China, Europe, and other international markets, with production based in China.
Rumors about an electrified fortwo revival had circulated for years. In October 2023, smart’s global CEO, Tong Xiangbei, revealed that the brand was developing a two-seater EV, possibly to be named smart #2.
In July 2024, smart Europe CEO Dirk Adelmann also mentioned plans to revamp the fortwo line, though he emphasized profitability as a prerequisite. The latest announcement suggests the project is now firmly on track.
Since its launch in 1998, the fortwo has sold more than 2 million units globally, making it one of the most representative models in the compact car segment. The smart #2 is now viewed as a continuation of that lineage.
In recent years, smart has expanded its product portfolio. Following the launch of the smart #1 and #3 SUVs, the smart #5 has also been unveiled in China, with a plug-in hybrid (EHD) version planned.
With the addition of the #2, smart’s lineup will span from ultra-compact city cars to mid-size SUVs.
Founded in 1998, the smart brand has long been positioned in the premium compact segment.
In 2020, Mercedes-Benz and Geely established a joint venture to oversee smart’s global operations, with Mercedes leading design and Geely in charge of engineering and development. This partnership has been instrumental in accelerating smart’s transition to electrification.
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