Just when the automotive world thought smart had moved on from its iconic two-seater roots forever, the brand is ready to spring its biggest surprise yet: the smart #2 is confirmed, they will build a new and very compact city car. But this isn't just about nostalgia – it's the latest chapter in one of the most remarkable reinventions in automotive history, proving that sometimes the boldest move forward is a clever step back to where it all began.

In the rapidly evolving landscape of automotive mobility, transformation is no longer optional – it’s essential. Few brands have embodied this truth more boldly than smart over more than 25 years to date.  

The transformation from the beloved urban runabout to a progressive premium EV brand required ambitious vision and unwavering commitment. Today’s smart all-electric portfolio in Europe – spanning the refined allrounder smart #1, the stylish accelerator smart #3, and the new progressive adventurer smart #5 – represents a complete reimagination of what the brand can be. Each model maintains smart’s DNA of clever design and thoughtful engineering while addressing different customer groups with a desire for future-oriented mobility solutions in premium quality.

Yet never say never again – just when you think you know what to expect, smart is ready to surprise you once again. Spoiler alert: smart fans are in for a treat! A new two-seater is already confirmed, ready to convince urban mobility fans once again in the next years: the smart #2 is coming. According to the manufacturer, the smart #2 will capture the essential qualities that made the original fortwo so popular, while undoubtedly delivering the kind of clever solutions that have become synonymous with the smart brand.

Speaking of vehicles ready to make their mark, let's take another look on the latest vehicle in the range, which is already available to buy: “With the new smart #5, we’re aiming to double our volume again,” smart Europe CEO Dirk Adelmann stated confidently in the course of the European launch of the mid-size SUV, highlighting the brand’s ambitious growth trajectory. Already, the strong sales figures across Europe following the market launch of the smart #5 demonstrate that customers truly value the new product. This isn’t just an expansion for expansion’s sake – it’s a strategic move to establish smart as a serious contender in the premium electric SUV segment, moving decisively upmarket with an uncompromising focus on design excellence and build quality.

What makes smart’s approach to premium different? It’s the company’s refusal to take itself too seriously while delivering serious quality and innovation. “We see ourselves as premium – with a wink,” Adelmann shares, encapsulating smart’s unique positioning in the EV space. This philosophy translates into clean, bold designs styled by Mercedes-Benz that are unmistakable in their precision and attention to detail, yet accessible and inclusive rather than exclusive. smart’s vehicles speak to diverse lifestyles, from urban professionals to adventure-seeking families, each model offering multiple paths to individual expression, mobility freedom, and already in the respective entry-line with a wide range of clever features at a convincing price-performance ratio that no other car manufacturer can match. 

So, smart’s transformation represents more than a strategic pivot — it’s a cultural shift that challenges conventional automotive thinking. “What used to be a car for two is now a statement for many,” explains Adelmann, capturing the brand’s evolution in line with smart’s IAA MOBILITY 2025 brand narrative: “Every experience invites you to open your mind.”

smart has always understood that great brands transcend their products to become cultural touchstones. The brand’s commitment to diversity, contemporary lifestyle, and creative expression is clear. Special projects with inspired minds, such as with the Keith Haring Foundation, for example, bring art and automotive design together in unexpected ways and forms.

smart’s commitment to electric mobility comes from conviction, not just through recent regulations. Every vehicle in the current lineup is built on advanced architecture designed for electric mobility, with software-defined features, free over-the-air updates, and a user experience that delivers seamless connectivity and functionality. The foundation of this transformation lies in a powerful global partnership, combining the best of both worlds: European design and Chinese technology. The Mercedes-Benz and Geely joint-venture provides smart with access to cutting-edge platforms and manufacturing capabilities. This collaboration has accelerated smart’s international growth while maintaining the design excellence and quality standards that define the brand.

This September, smart invites everybody to experience its vision firsthand at IAA MOBILITY 2025. The Open Space installations in the center of Munich promise more than just static displays — they’re tangible and multi-facetted experiences designed to show how smart’s transformation feels in real surroundings and how smart brings its cultural commitment to life.

smart’s success story is about embracing change as a constant rather than fearing it as a disruption. As Adelmann concludes, “transformation isn't a flash in the pan, it's a journey. It's always been and still is the way we move forward at smart.”

With the #2, smart will be expanding its product line-up to include a reinvention of its two-seater that made the brand famous already more than 25 years ago. While details remain still under wraps, we are certain that smart will be committed to combining its urban heritage with its evolved brand identity. The full picture will emerge in time. True to smart's approach, this return to familiar territory promises fresh perspectives rather than simple repetition.

Experience smart’s transformation story at IAA MOBILITY 2025 — where the future of premium electric mobility comes to life.