Thirty years ago, Smart introduced its first model, later known as the Fortwo. The iconic two-seater city car was discontinued in 2024, but it finally got a direct successor with the all-new Smart #2.

The production version of the EV debuted at the Paris Motor Show, six months after the Smart Concept #2. Visually, it looks like an evolution of the Fortwo, with modern details that have been toned down compared to the concept car.

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Changes include the redesigned graphics on the aggressive headlights and the round taillights, the smaller alloy wheels, the conventional door handles, and the simplified bumpers. The shut line of the hood has been moved higher on the nose, while the side intakes on the front bumper are doing without the fancy pixel screens. Other highlights include the body-colored mesh on the grille, the floating roof, the frameless windows, and the traditional split tailgate.

Smart #2 Couture Edition

The lineup includes the Pure, Pure+, and Premium trims. Smart has also unveiled the concept-inspired #2 Couture Edition which is limited to 999 units in Europe. This one is distinguished by the special grille cover that looks like a Luis Vuitton bag, and the aero extensions on the front and rear bumpers. The body is painted in Atelier White Matte with a Platinum Gold roof, and rides on 16-inch Lyra wheels with gold accents.

The Smart #2 is a pint-sized EV measuring 2,746 mm (108.1 in) long, with the Couture Edition adding an extra 18 mm (0.7 in) due to the bumper add-ons. Still, the new model is 51 mm (2 in) longer than the last Fortwo, and a full 246 mm (9.7 in) longer than the original Smart from the late ’90s. Despite the extra length, the company was able to retain the 6.95 m (22.8 foot) curb-to-curb turning radius of the original.

Well-Equipped Two-Seater Cabin

Smart #2 Premium

Inside, the dashboard has a simple layout with round climate vents, a standard 10.1-inch infotainment display, an 8.8-inch digital instrument cluster, a special mounting base for gadgets, and a three-spoke steering wheel with integrated buttons. Smart claims that the cabin is “spacious and practical”, with bench-style seats and a cargo capacity of 305 lt (10.8 cubic feet).

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Equipment is generous, especially in the flagship Premium which comes standard with a glass roof, heated seats, faux leather upholstery, and a seven-speaker Sennheiser Sound System.

Advanced Underpinnings

The Smart #2 might have been designed by Mercedes, but it rides on the bespoke Electric Compact Architecture (ECA) engineered by Chinese automaker Geely.

The EV is powered by a rear-mounted electric motor producing 81 hp (60 kW / 82 PS) and 130 Nm (95.9 lb-ft) of torque. More importantly, the 35.8 kWh LFP battery pack offers a WLTP range of 290 km (180 miles), which is more than double the 135 km (84-mile) range of the EQ Fortwo. The battery is compatible with 65 kW DC fast charging, going from 10-80% in 20 minutes, and supports V2L.

Despite its urban focus, the company gave emphasis on driving dynamics, with wider tracks, a low-center of gravity, and a five-link rear suspension which is unique to the segment. Smart also went big on safety, with a new version of the signature Tridion Cell Evo structure, and loads of ADAS including Pilot Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Collision Mitigation, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.

Smart #2 Premium

Dr. Tilo Schweers, Vice President R&D Europe of smart Europe GmbH, said: “Getting the balance right in a car this compact meant tuning every detail, from chassis hard points and steering ratio to the right tyre compound for both city streets and open highways. We tested the smart #2 on proving grounds, in wind tunnels, and on public roads across different climates, because confidence behind the wheel must hold up in the real world, not just on paper.”

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Smart has yet to reveal pricing, but Autocar reports the #2 will start at £17,900 ($23,700) in the UK. Since the Smart #2 is far more sophisticated compared to two-seater heavy quadricycles like the Citroen Ami and Fiat Topolino, rivals include four-seater urban EVs such as the Renault Twingo E-Tech, Nissan Pixo, Dacia Spring EV, and the upcoming VW ID. Up!.

Besides Europe and the UK, the Smart #2 will also go on sale in other markets including China.

Chinese automotive giant BYD put the electric vehicle market on notice earlier this year by unveiling its Flash Charging technology, featuring peak charging speeds of up to 1,500 kW. Not willing to be outdone by its fiercest competitor, Geely Auto Group has unveiled its answer, the Geely Smart Charging.

The new technology, which combines an advanced AI model co-developed by Geely and StepFun with the fifth-generation Geely Smart Charging Station, delivers peak charging speeds of up to 2,250 kW. According to Geely, tests of the Lynk & Co 01 and Zeekr 001 show the cars can charge from 10-70% in just four minutes and 30 seconds, as well as from 10-97% in eight minutes and 40 seconds.

Read: BYD’s New UK Flash Chargers Do In 9 Minutes What Most EV Rivals Do In An Hour

These numbers conveniently eclipse those promised by BYD’s Flash Charging 1,500-kW system, which claims a charge from 10-70% in five minutes and a 10-97% charge in nine minutes.

AI Keeps Temperatures Down

As you can imagine, pumping energy into a battery pack at such an extraordinary pace has its challenges, which is where artificial intelligence comes into play. Geely claims its system uses advanced algorithms to anticipate battery temperatures ahead of time. As such, the charging rate can be instantly adjusted as needed. Geely says the AI aims to keep the battery temperature during charging steady at below 55°C (131°F).

In addition to their advanced ultra-quick charging solution, Geely has presented the latest-generation Ultra Short Blade Battery, which it says can cut charging temperatures by 10 percent.

Although Geely Smart Charging may have beaten BYD when it comes to outright power, it has a lot of catching up to do elsewhere. In the six months since BYD unveiled its Flash Charging tech, they have already installed more than 10,000 stations across China. By the end of this year, BYD aims to have 20,000 stations in operation across its home country and is committed to expanding internationally to establish 6,000 by April next year. Target locations include Europe, the United Kingdom, the Middle East, Africa, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Volvo has presented what it calls “the largest and most ambitious global product push in its 99-year history”, in an effort to improve profitability and double its market share. The automaker will launch 13 new models by the end of 2030, including hybrids and EVs.

The announcement comes shortly after Volvo introduced updated versions of the XC40, EX40, EC40, and XC60, alongside a new plug-in hybrid powertrain for the XC60 and XC90 with up to 124 miles (200 km) of EV-only range.

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Unlike the aforementioned extensive facelifts, the 13 announced models will be all-new. Seven are destined for Western markets including Europe and North America, while the other six will be heading to China.

More importantly, Volvo has confirmed that its future lineup will include cars in new segments, so expect a few surprises, and a potential return to wagons.

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The company will preview an evolution of its styling language with a new concept car in 2027. This will be penned under the direction of Thomas Ingenlath, who returns as Volvo’s Chief Design Officer after a seven-year stint as the Polestar CEO.

The new models destined for Western markets will ride on the SPA2 (EX90, ES90) and SPA3 (EX60) architectures, using the HuginCore computing platform. The Chinese models will use shared platforms and a market-specific tech stack developed in collaboration with parent brand Geely. The goal is to increase component commonality across Geely Group vehicles from the current 10 percent to as much as 30 percent by 2030.

Hakan Samuelsson, Volvo president and CEO, said: “Our showrooms will look very different in 2030”, adding that they want to become “the leading premium car brand”. The CEO outlined the four pillars behind the new product offensive as “regionalized product offerings, leadership in electrification, unique synergies with Geely, and complete customer offers that goes beyond the car alone”.

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Overall, Volvo wants to double its market share by introducing more EVs alongside third-generation hybrids for those not ready to make the switch. The company promised to treat its customers with regular over-the-air software updates, and make buying a new Volvo easier and more transparent with special offers and fast-delivery model variants.

New details have emerged about Ford and Geely’s partnership in Spain, revealing that the American brand will build a new SUV based on Geely’s Global Intelligent Electric Architecture (GEA).

A long-awaited deal was struck between the two companies in July, meaning Geely will begin building vehicles on an assembly line at Ford’s Valencia factory, which has operated at less than a quarter of its annual capacity for several years. The all-electric EX2 is expected to be the first Geely built at the site, although others will follow.

Read: Geely’s New Solid-State Battery Lasts 621,000 Miles And Starts Pilot Testing Next Year

Last week, Geely Auto Group chairman An Conghui confirmed on an earnings call that through the deal, Ford will use the company’s GEA platform for its own new model, Auto News reports. This platform is currently used by several Geely products, including the all-electric EX5 and the plug-in hybrid Starray.

Limited details are known about the Ford that will use Geely’s platform. However, the Blue Oval has described it as a compact crossover that will offer “multi-energy” drivetrains, indicating it’ll be sold both as a hybrid and an EV, two setups that the GEA platform can support. Ford also said the model will include “rally-bred” styling, ensuring it won’t be mistaken for an EX5 or Starray, despite the shared componentry. This mystery model will be built alongside a Bronco-branded SUV from Ford, expected to hit the market in 2028 but using a different platform.

When the deal between Ford and Geely was first announced, Geely confirmed it will build two new energy models at the Spanish site, with the first rolling off the production line in 2028. It also said “the joint venture is expected to produce three Ford-branded multi-energy vehicles,” but failed to provide any more details.

“This strategic cooperation with Ford is an important step towards open collaboration and is mutually beneficial to both parties,” Geely Auto Group vice president Alex Nan said. “It represents a milestone in Geely Auto’s global development and will further solidify Geely’s presence in Europe.”

After waiting for what seems like an eternity, advanced solid-state batteries are getting closer to hitting the market. In news that shouldn’t surprise anyone, a major Chinese brand is set to be among the first to put the technology into customer cars on a pilot basis.

The company in question is Geely. It has spent years developing these new cells and has already begun testing them in prototypes. Its new packs will offer power densities of up to 500 Wh/kg, and starting next year, vehicles from within the broader Geely group will start to receive these batteries.

Read: Geely Wants To Be Like Toyota, But From China

Geely says vehicles equipped with its new solid-state batteries will offer driving ranges equivalent to more traditional diesel-powered cars, exceeding 621 miles (1,000 km) between charges. The new packs will be piloted across major Geely brands next year, including Zeekr, Lynk & Co, Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, and Smart.

It’s not only exceptional energy density that promises to make Geely’s solid-state batteries a game-changer. The carmaker says these batteries will have a lifespan of up to 621,000 miles (1 million kilometers), quelling any fears about longevity, CarNewsChina reports. Although the new batteries are just around the corner, Geely hasn’t said whether it’ll be ready to start mass production of them next year, or whether buyers will actually be able to take delivery of a solid-state-equipped EV when pilot work is complete.

As the United States continues to impose heavy tariffs on cars from China, Geely’s solid-state batteries are unlikely to ever make their way stateside. However, this doesn’t mean solid-state batteries don’t also have the potential to revolutionize the American car industry.

Other automakers, including Stellantis and Karma, are already working with battery company Factorial on advanced solid-state batteries. Ford has solid-state work of its own underway, though its near-term money is going toward cheaper chemistries, lithium manganese rich (LMR) among them. GM is taking the same approach.

Sources: Carnewschina