Smart Unveils Exceptional Electric Off-Roading Concept

Smart, Mercedes’ brand of tiny EVs, is set to debut an all-new BEV concept at the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition on April 25th. Named the Smart Concept #5, the model is meant to introduce the smart brand’s interpretation of active versatility to the public in a package with plenty of extra lighting and a few more inches of ground clearance.

We don’t blame you if this is the first time you’ve thought of the brand in the last few years; Smart called it quits in the US at the end of 2019. At that time, the company had to reinvent itself because it didn’t appear the world really resonated with the tiny urban mobility future the brand was selling. Since then, the company is now headquartered in China, where it’s an electric joint venture between Mercedes and Geely.

Smart With A Dose Of 4X4

Whereas all the brand’s previous models were meant for the pavement, this new vehicle is going off the beaten trail in a package that looks like it could be the next generation of the Jeep Renegade. The boxy, upright appearance of the model seems to be all the rage these days, and the model wears it well thanks to extra ground clearance and knobby tires.

You can see protective plates in the front and rear and there’s even a hidden step and winch to help you take matters into your own hands when the going gets tough. This rear step will help you to reach the integrated roof rack with extra lighting. The company says this lighting even offers animations to give it a greater personality.

Performance To Get You Out Of Any Situation

If you thought this was going to be a concept without any go, you’d be wrong, as the company boasts some impressive specs. Based on an 800-volt architecture, the vehicle is able to fit a 100 kWh battery pack in the floor that can be supercharged from 10-80% in a mere 15 minutes. 341 miles of advertised range should be enough to get you through a couple of days on the trail, and five drive modes help you conquer whatever (relatively mild) terrain you encounter.

Looking up, you’re greeted by an incredible panoramic sunroof perfect for your next meteor shower, but down below, the interior is just as inviting. It features a clean, sleek interface with horizontally aligned elements that are easy to navigate. Two massive OLED screens take up the dashboard, powered by a high-performance AMD V2000 chip. You can control everything from here, including the “zero-gravity” front seats with heating, ventilation, massage, and leg rest functions. Finally, you can ask “Cerence” for help whenever you’re feeling up for a conversation, as the in-car AI assistant can navigate various questions and can help the owner make phone calls, check the weather, set a date in the calendar, and much more.

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Smart #3 Debuts As A Slick All-Electric Sport Utility Coupe

Like the Smart #1, there’s no chance this is coming to the US.

The company says it hopes this concept will help to “leave boundaries behind and open up a new segment for customers in Europe and worldwide,” so there’s a good chance the company is planning on putting it, or some variation of it, into production. Don’t hold out hope it’ll make its way to the US, though it’s not impossible.