Remember the pint-sized, city-loving Smart cars of yesteryear? The ones you could park sideways and still have room to spare? Forget all that. Smart has taken a detour from the urban jungle to the rugged outdoors with the Smart Concept #5, a mid-size SUV that could make the Smart #1 and Smart #3 look like tiny steppingstones to this wild new frontier.
This isn’t just a car—it’s Smart’s most spacious, versatile vehicle yet, boasting a robust, upright silhouette that’s as ready for selfies as it is for off-roading. It comes equipped with a hidden winch, folding rear step, roof light bar, and light animations that practically wink at you.
Skid plates on the front and rear suggest it might actually survive a brush with nature, while the 800-volt battery ensures you won’t get stuck there for long. With over 550 kilometers (342 miles) of range and a 15-minute charge to regain 70% battery, it’s built for long adventures, not just the grocery run.
Inside, it’s all comfort and tech. Think zero-gravity front seats with heating, ventilation, massage functions, and even a leg rest. The human-machine interface features dual OLED screens powered by an AMD V2000 chip, ensuring the car’s AI assistant can keep you entertained or navigate you to the nearest hiking trail. And if chatting with your in-car AI buddy feels too futuristic, there’s always the portable speaker integrated into the console to provide the soundtrack to your escapades.
Unveiled at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition, the Concept #5 is a bold leap forward for Smart. Production of this tech-laden SUV is expected to kick off in late 2024, leaving us with one burning question: Will it still feel as Smart to park?
Images: Smart.
