Smart isn’t messing about. The brand, once known for its pint-sized city cars, is going all-in on electric, and its latest model—the Smart #6—could be its boldest move yet.
This new saloon, set to take on the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2, is a radical departure from the tiny two-seaters Smart built its name on. With up to 638bhp, a sleek fastback design, and tech borrowed from its parent companies Mercedes and Geely, this could be the performance EV no one saw coming.
A New Direction for Smart
For years, Smart was best known for the tiny Fortwo and Forfour, quirky little city cars built for tight European streets. But since its reinvention as an all-electric brand, Smart has been thinking bigger—literally.
The #1 and #3 SUVs marked the start of this transformation, offering proper practicality, Mercedes-inspired interiors, and competitive range figures. Now, with the #6, Smart is pushing into saloon territory, a space dominated by Tesla and Polestar.
Design: A Sleek Fastback Look
Forget the boxy, compact shapes of old. The Smart #6 adopts a low-slung, coupe-inspired silhouette, taking cues from the Porsche Taycan and Hyundai Ioniq 6.
Its fastback roofline flows into a sharply sculpted rear end, while a full-width light bar and aggressive front-end design help it stand out from the growing crowd of EV saloons. Expect flush door handles, large aero-focused wheels, and a premium feel, much like Smart’s recent SUV offerings.
Power and Performance: Up to 638bhp?
This is where things get seriously interesting. Smart’s parent company Geely also owns Lotus, Polestar, and Volvo, which means there’s no shortage of high-performance EV tech to borrow from.
Reports suggest the range-topping version of the Smart #6 will pack up to 638bhp, using a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup similar to what we’ve seen in the Polestar 3 and Lotus Eletre. That’s more power than a Tesla Model 3 Performance and puts it squarely in super-saloon territory.
Even the lower-spec models aren’t lacking in punch. A single-motor, rear-wheel-drive version is expected to offer around 250-300bhp, making it a direct rival to the Hyundai Ioniq 6 and Volkswagen ID.7.
Battery and Range
No official figures yet, but given Smart’s partnership with Geely, we can make some educated guesses.
The SEA platform underpinning the #6 is already used in other high-end EVs, meaning we could see battery options ranging from 66kWh to 100kWh, with an estimated range of 250-350 miles per charge.
Ultra-fast 800V charging is also on the cards, meaning 10-80% top-ups in around 20 minutes—on par with some of the fastest-charging EVs on the market.
Tech and Interior
If the Smart #1 and #3 are anything to go by, expect a high-tech, minimalist cabin filled with screens, ambient lighting, and premium materials.
Smart has leaned heavily into Mercedes-style luxury, with a focus on intelligent voice control, high-quality infotainment, and a spacious interior despite its compact footprint. The fastback design should give it plenty of rear legroom and a decent boot, making it more practical than it looks.
UK Release and Pricing
Smart hasn’t confirmed exact UK release dates yet, but given the brand’s recent aggressive European expansion, we can expect the #6 to arrive in the UK by 2025.
As for pricing? The entry-level versions could start around £35,000, making it a cheaper alternative to the Tesla Model 3 and BMW i4. The high-performance 638bhp model will almost certainly push past £50k, but for that kind of power, it could still be a bargain compared to traditional performance saloons.
