Smart has gone back to where it all began with the new #2 – a tiny electric two-seater that could be one of the brand’s most important cars in years.

Nearly 30 years after the original Smart concept appeared at the Paris Motor Show, the company has returned to the French capital with a modern take on the same basic idea of making a car designed specifically for city life.

At just 2.75m long, it is only 51mm longer than the previous ForTwo, yet Smart claims the cabin remains impressively spacious thanks to its wheels-at-the-corners packaging.

Having sat in it, I'd say that claim feels about right. There’s a surprising amount of room for two adults, and material quality is impressive too, with tactile plastics, artificial leather and neat details such as turbine-style air vents – I was very impressed. All of this will help the #2 feel more premium than most EV city cars. There is even a 305-litre boot, complete with useful underfloor storage and the return of Smart’s trademark split tailgate.

Power comes from an 82hp rear-mounted motor, fed by a 35.8kWh LFP battery. Smart is targeting a WLTP range of 180 miles – more than double the 83 miles offered by the old electric Fortwo.

Rapid charging peaks at a modest 65kW, but the small battery means a 10-80% top-up should still take just 20 minutes. Vehicle-to-Load capability is also included.

Interestingly, the #2 gets five-link rear suspension setup, which Smart says is a class first, and promises to give the car an excellent ride quality – it's also another example of Smart wanting to make the #2 feel posh. Add a tiny 6.95-metre turning circle and it could be a proper hoot around town.

Styling manages to reference the original without going full retro, although I do think it’s a shame the famous exposed Tridion safety cell has disappeared as a visual feature. 

The cell is still there, though – now called Tridion Safety Cell Evo, it's now less of a styling feature but still a key part of the car's safety structure. 

Inside there’s an 8.8-inch driver display, 10.1-inch touchscreen and a playful Smart Pillar, which can hold various accessories and gadgets. Three trims have been announced, with the basic Pure coming with adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go, Highway Assist, Smart Pilot Assist, LED lighting and Vehicle-to-Load.

Prices will start at less than £20,000 when orders open in spring 2027. That still isn’t cheap for a two-seater, especially with four-seat rivals such as the BYD Dolphin Surf and Citroen e-C3 already available. But we'll reserve judgment until prices are officially confirmed soon.