The new all-electric smart #3 – a promising ride on the roads of the Balearic Island

Smart has embarked on a new era with the renewal of its brand, product, and business model, being now a joint venture of Mercedes and Geely. The first vehicle that has been launched as part of its expansion was the all-new smart #1. Recently smart introduced the smart #3, the fully electric SUV Coupé, which we now got to test drive on the roads of the Balearic island.

Timeless elegance in a sporty SUV Coupé

The smart #3, developed by the Mercedes-Benz Global Design Team, features a sleek and dynamic design that embodies the concept of "sensual producty". The #3 presents itself as a sporty SUV Coupé with a timeless and elegant design. Featuring athletic curves, a distinctive "shark nose," a wide A-shaped grill, slim LED headlights, and large 19-inch wheels (upgradable to 20-inch in BRABUS trim), it exudes a sporty aesthetic. the smart #3 measures 4.4 meters in length, 1.8 meters in width and 1.t meters in height. The panoramic halo roof enhances the driving experience, seamlessly connecting the car's interior with its surroundings.

Interior design and user experience

The interior design of the new smart #3 draws inspiration from the #1, particularly the wide center console that provides a clear separation between the driver and the passenger. The center console seamlessly merges into the dashboard, forming a distinctive "T" shape. It features three central, round ventilation air vents, with surfaces that are painted or covered in leather. The infotainment system consists of a 12.8-inch central display, and a 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster. The design of the infotainment system exudes a playful demeanor, but it can also appear somewhat congested. Additionally, it comes equipped with a 10-inch head-up display. The smart #3 boasts a surprisingly roomy interior, enhanced by the 1.6 m² panoramic roof featuring a built-in blackout function. This combination offers a truly luxurious and spacious experience for drivers and passengers alike.

However there is limited scope for customisation with the smart #3 model. Smart has intentionally restricted the range of options to enhance the premium experience, offering choices primarily in paint finishes and interior trim. The smart #1 came as Pro+, Premium and Brabus trim levels. The smart #3 comes as well in these three versions, but two more are added. A cheaper Pro edition and a limited 25th Anniversary edition. For example, the entry-level Pro variant comes equipped with a panoramic sunroof, automatic LED headlights, a 360-degree camera and 8 parking sensors, 19-inch wheels, Driver and passenger seats powered with heating function, a powered tailgate and frameless doors.

Performance and charging

The smart #3 Pro variant utilises a smaller 49kWh battery in contrast to the 66kWh unit present in the other #3 models. As expected, the Pro version exhibits a reduced range. Smart claims a WLTP range of 325 km, where the Pro+ offers 435 km and the Premium achieves 455 km.  All these models feature an identical 200kW electric motor installed on the rear axle, ensuring an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h within 5.8 seconds. Notably, the performance-driven Brabus model incorporates an additional electric motor on the front axle, boasting an enhanced output of 315 kW which enables the Brabus to achieve a rapid acceleration time from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds.

The NMC battery models, featuring a 66 kWh capacity, offer a charging power of 22 kW using AC and 150 kW using DC. The 49 kWh battery model supports a charging power of 130 kW. Achieving a charge level between ten to 80 percent takes approximately three hours when using a wallbox and less than 30 minutes at a fast charging station.

Summarised: we appreciate the sleek, timeless yet dynamic exterior design of the smart #3. However, we would have preferred to see more sustainable materials used in the interior. Additionally, the infotainment system's playful design contrasts with the overall elegance, missing a sense of timelessness. The smart #3 glides quietly and smoothly on the roads of the Balearic Island, even on winding routes and impressed us with its driving characteristics. Besides the smart #3 boasts a spacious interior that offers great comfort. The starting price for the Smart Pro line is 38.490 euros, while the top-tier Brabus variant commands a minimum of 50.990 euros.

Pictures: smart for ellectric