Smart has confirmed orders of its new #1 all-electric crossover will begin across Europe in December, with the “halo” Launch Edition the first to be offered.
One thousand examples of the smart #1 Launch Edition will be available to order in Europe from December – details regarding North American orders have yet to be revealed – with customer deliveries set to begin in mid-2023. Said to offer “seamless acceleration,” the #1 will produce 268 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque from its rear-driving single electric motor. Coupled with what’s expected to be a 66 kWh battery, smart has stated that the estimated electric range in the UK will be just under 440 km and charging from 10 to 80 per cent, via DC fast-charging, will take under 30 minutes.
The Launch Edition will also feature a bespoke exterior look, one mirroring that of the pre-production concept. The EV crossover rides on 19-inch ‘Prism’ wheels and features a white body with a gold roof and matching flanks, detailing which continues across the dash and centre console. Among the “unique signature design cues [of] the range’s halo model,” the Halo Roof features a checkered pattern mirrored across the seat upholstery. The cabin also features a 13-speaker Beats surround sound system, while the “an intelligent avatar with AI-based voice control” is one of the more intriguing elements of the #1’s infotainment system.
“The smart #1 represents the start of a new era for our brand,” smart’s David Browne explains. “Its comprehensive offering of outstanding design, exceptional space utilization and connected solutions is confidence-inspiring to customers and is a strong signal of intent for our product portfolio moving forward. Our Launch Edition offers customers an exclusive opportunity to be the first to experience our vision for a new generation of fully electric urban mobility when it hits the road mid-next year.”
Named to be “evocative of trendsetting in the digital era,” the #1 is the debut model of the now Daimler-Geely co-owned smart, which became an-electric entity following the brand’s relaunch in 2019.