We tested the smart n°1: the minimalist utility is now a comfortable and ultra-equipped electric SUV

We were able to shoot with two versions:  the Premium and the top of the range BRABUS ,  a real whim  that will hunt down the most fashionable MINIs. And if the first left us with a good taste in the mouth, the truth is that the second pleasantly surprised us. Of course, all is never rosy.

Smart #1: city dweller, but not in a small bottle

"Renew or die", they say. And in smart - as in the rest of the brands - it's time to bet on evolution, but in this case without neglecting the nonconformist spirit with which the first smart was born in 1998.

The difference is that it now does so from the prism  of the B-SUV fashion segment,  with dimensions far removed from those to which we were accustomed with endearing urban micro-utilities.

Concretely, the Smart #1 is 4.27 m long - barely three cm less than a  Mini Countryman  - 1.63 m high and has a wheelbase similar to that of the  Mercedes-Benz E-Class  (respectively 2, 75m against 2.93m).

It is the biggest smart to date, and is based on the open-source SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture) platform developed by Geely which will serve as the basis for the future  Volvo XC20 .

In terms of exterior design, the smart #1, whose name is pronounced 'hashtag one' and in English could also be read as 'number one', can be said to be an evolution of the  concept car  which debuted at the show of the Munich Motor Show last year and which shares many characteristics of the aesthetic language used by the new generation of Mercedes-Benz.

Proof of this are its fluid, curved and elegant forms, or distinctive elements such as the rear lights, similar to those of the  new EQA .

Inside, the design is  clean, minimalist, technological  and "very clever" (for example, the large steering wheel, the chrome elements, the ambient LED light or the details such as the contrasting stitching on the seats and the dashboard). board, among others).

In the mechanical part, the #1 has a  200 kW (272 hp) engine and 343 Nm on the rear axle  , it promises a  0 to 100 km/h in 6.7 s  and a maximum speed of 180 km /h. h.

It is powered by a lithium-ion battery of 66 kWh gross -62 kWh useful-, signed Geely, which is of the NCM type (lithium, nickel, manganese and cobalt oxide) instead of the more common LFP (Lithium Nickel Phosphate ). iron and lithium) and announces an approved  range of up to 440 km in the WLTP cycle .

The electric SUV can be charged with a power of 22 kW (alternating current) and up to 150 kW (direct current). In the best case,  a full recharge can be done in less than 3 hours  at 22 kW or reach up to 80% charge in just 30 minutes with 150 kW of power, depending on the brand.

Compared to other electric motors of similar size, although of more general brands, such as the  Peugeot e-2008  or the  Mazda MX-30  -with 100 kW (136 CV) and 107 kW (145 CV) respectively -, these remain somewhat fair in front of the "hastag one".

First impressions aboard the Smart #1

Now that we are in position, it is time to take the wheel of the two units that we had at our disposal in Lisbon.

The first of them,  with the Premium finish  , was the one with which we did the most km, since it gave us time to drive a few hours through the city, the motorway and the secondary coastal roads. to see how #1 goes.

As soon as you sit down and adjust your position (which can be memorized) you perceive a more than acceptable quality of materials, very good visibility and you are surprised by the size of the  central screen of 12.8 inches  which houses the UI/UX system with intelligent assistant embodied by a fox, which assists with voice commands.

That yes, "the problem" is that through this large screen practically all the  information and entertainment elements of  the car are managed, such as the audio, the navigator, the configuration of the driving mode... and even regulating the exterior mirrors!

The latter, whether we don't know the system, or if for some reason we want to do it quickly at some point, can be somewhat overwhelming.

To complete the main screen, of course, there is  the standard 9.2-inch digital dashboard  , to which is added (from the intermediate finishes) a very practical 10-inch head-up display with a good roadworthy visibility without taking your eyes off the road.

Other outstanding and very practical elements for daily use are the high-resolution 360º camera (which is automatically activated during certain maneuvers in the city or when reversing, for example), the space for  charging the mobile phone wirelessly  or storage compartments located under the screen.

They can even hold a 1 liter water bottle without moving (verified), and they are complemented by the hollow central tunnel, which has a modern design and is very spacious.

In line with the feeling of comfort that the interior of the car exudes, from the first moment we leave for our destination, we notice that  its configuration is very focused on  driving comfort.

The driving position is high as well as the central screen and the main controls, the steering is precise and the suspensions perfectly absorb the irregularities of the asphalt without being soft.

It's easy to get used to the perceived silence in the cabin and the absence of vibrations, but not so much to the gear selector located on a lever to the right of the steering wheel, next to the indicator. At least the first few times.

It's also not a car that feels "too heavy" or not very nimble in corners or when power spikes are called for. It responds well in any environment, but in our opinion, it's a car that really moves like a fish in water around town.

The smart #1 Premium is comfortable, agile and manageable for its size in terms of maneuvers (it has a good steering angle) and also has a large number of driving aids such as the effective automatic parking assistant.

It will be agreed that the Premium will be a "more rational" purchase, however once mounted on the smart #1 BRABUS you will no longer want to get off.

Design-wise, this version immediately stands out from the rest with its  glove-friendly body kit  that includes prominent front and rear spoilers and unique side sills. Specific rims, the typical red trim on the outside and a characteristic BRABUS interior line complete the package.

Beyond its aesthetics, the advantages of the smart #1 BRABUS have also been spiced up and those of Bottrop (Germany) have taken the SUV to a new level of performance, in which the 200 kW (272 hp)  of standard power pass to be  315 kW (422 hp); engine torque increases from 343 Nm to 543 Nm  and traction changes from rear to all-wheel drive.

This provides a  much more emotional driving experience  which, combined with the car's most extreme driving mode, unleashes its full potential. The acceleration is simply spectacular, the sensations on the road too.

We even had the opportunity -by mistake- to test the all-wheel drive in a forest with narrow and very steep tracks full of mud and water, and we couldn't be more surprised: it didn't even flinch despite the low blows we made him pass.

Although on arrival the Smart #1 BRABUS would be a worthy rival, for example, of the sportier and more luxurious  MINI John Cooper Works  , it is postulated as a firm candidate to face the future electric MINI more face to face.

Innovative, but without losing practicality

Despite its "more premium" appearance, the Smart #1 has not lost the practical DNA and original character with which its first cars were born.

From its dimensions and the distribution of elements, the first-born of the Geely era is – and feels –  really spacious inside  . At least, for someone of average height like me, since I share height with the car.

In this sense, and for more comfort for the occupants in the back, the seats can slide horizontally up to 13 cm. In addition, the backrests can be reclined in five positions, from the most vertical (forming a 90º angle with the ground) to the most conventional.

In the trunk, the load capacity varies between 323 liters (with the bench seat in the rearmost position) and a maximum of 411 litres, which means in practice that at least    three cabin suitcases  fit without complications when the seats are not folded down.

Could it be more spacious? Yes, but due to its shapes and its loading mouth at the right height, it seems quite practical both for everyday use and for longer journeys. And what's more, it closes automatically when you press a button.

On the other hand, the car houses an additional compartment (frunk) with a capacity of only 15 liters under the front bonnet, which mainly serves as an additional space for storing the charging cable without taking up space in the trunk.

Prices, reservations and availability of smart #1

In addition to the Launch Edition, the smart #1 will soon be available for reservation in its different variants: Pro+, Premium and #1 BRABUS.

The Pro+ line  will start at a price of 42,100 euros  (36,390 euros with the maximum support of the MOVES III plan), the Premium variant at 45,600 euros (39,890 with MOVES), the Launch Edition at 46,900 (41,190 with support) and the  BRABUS for 49,600 euros  (43,890 with the maximum discount).

These prices (valid for the Peninsula and the Balearic Islands) include transport, taxes, registration and the first check according to the brand.

The reservation book for the four variants will open in France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the Netherlands  on October 18  , while in the case of Austria, Belgium and the United Kingdom, it will be necessary to wait until October 4th. .

Anyone who wishes  can claim the brand's No. 1 online  "in just six steps", although the first units won't arrive in their owners' hands until  January 2023.

Sales will be made directly with the brand, i.e. the customer will sign the purchase with the factory rather than with a distributor, and in this way smart guarantees that there will always be the same price for the #1 regardless of the agent via the make the purchase.