Smart slows EV plans, adds PHEV #5

THE recently unveiled Smart #5 is likely to be sold with a plug-in hybrid option alongside the previously announced all-electric version in response to slowing global sales of electric vehicles.

According to British publication Autocar, the decision represents a “major step-change” for the Geely- and Mercedes-Benz-owned manufacturer which had committed previously to building electric models only.

“We see individual mobility powered by combustion engines and, in particular, with hybrid drives as a transitional technology towards purely electric driving,” Smart’s European operations spokesperson told Autocar.

“It is important to respond to the increasingly diverse demands and desires of the customers. Smart cannot exclude any technological solution for the future at the current point of time.”

Equally, the introduction of a plug-in hybrid alternative is understood to be something of a pragmatic response to the changing face of new vehicle sales in Smart’s largest market, China, where PHEVs and range-extenders have recently experienced strong sales.

The Autocar report does not provide any insight into the technical details of the Smart #5 PHEV but suggests the model might use a variant of the Thor system found in other Geely models.

The Thor powertrain combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and electronic dual-hybrid transmission (E-DHT) to provide up to 160kW of power.

In related models, the unit is backed by a choice of 8.5kWh or 19.1kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery packs providing respective ranges of 55km and 120km (CLTC). Average fuel consumption is listed from 3.8 litres per 100km.

By way of comparison, the Smart #5 BEV offers outputs ranging from 250kW in single-motor format to 310kW in the dual-motor flagship.

The pair utilise 400-volt and 800-volt electrical architecture respectively and are coupled with 76kW LFP and 100kW lithium-ion batteries to offer a range of between 570km and 740km (claimed).

It is understood the battery electric version of the Smart #5 will be launched globally from mid-year with the PHEV version to follow in 2026.

In Australia, the Smart #5 is slated to go on sale in late 2025.

Pricing details have yet to be revealed, but it is expected the model will be priced above the #1 and #3 which are priced between $54,900 and $70,900 plus on-road costs.

With Autocar