Smart 1 gets power boost and fresher looks

Smart, the electric car company backed by Mercedes-Benz and Geely, is giving its Smart #1 a big upgrade. The updates were revealed in filings with China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), and they include more powerful motors and some design tweaks.

The standard Smart #1 will see a huge boost in power thanks to a new rear-mounted electric motor. This new motor will produce 250 kilowatts (335 horsepower). This is a 50 kilowatt (67 horsepower) increase over the current model. The same motor is also used in other vehicles from the Geely group, like the Zeekr 009 and Lynk & Co 02.

Good news for speed demons among us - the Smart #1 Brabus version is also getting an upgrade. With a front-mounted motor added, the combined output will reach 365 kilowatts (489 horsepower) - also a 50 kilowatt (67 horsepower) increase. The Brabus version was always a hoot, but the ridiculous power was too much for its brakes and suspension. There is no mention of any upgrades in those departments, possibly making the more powerful #1 even more "fun" to drive.

Changes to the design of the regular Smart #1 are quite subtle. The most noticeable difference is the new 18-inch, two-tone alloy wheels. These wheels are paired with 235/50R18 tires. The sportier Brabus model receives more design tweaks. Smart has toned down the red accents, opting for a more refined look. The red roof and side mirrors have been replaced with body-colored and black finishes. The red highlight in the front air intake is now black. The Brabus version also gets new 10-spoke alloy wheels and 235/45R19 tires.

In terms of size, the regular Smart #1 measures 168.1 inches in length, 71.7 inches in width, and 64.4 inches in height, with a 108.3 inches wheelbase. The Brabus version is slightly longer at 169.3 inches but shares the same width, height, and wheelbase.

The fresh updates will be eventually introduced in markets outside of China, since Smart #1 is a global model. More detailed information, including pricing and availability, will be released closer to the official launch.

Via