Smart has revealed the production-ready version of its #1 electric SUV at a premiere in Berlin. The company initially showed its ‘Concept #1’ at the Munich Motor Show last year although technical data was not available at the time. The #1, pronounced “hashtag one”, is being built in China as part of a joint venture between Mercedes and Geely. The SUV model marks a change in direction for Smart who is best known for its quirky space-saving city cars. Pricing and release date has not yet been released, although the company had announced last year that it expected the fully electric vehicle to go on sale in China and Europe by the end of 2022.

As reported by Engadget, the #1 will use Geely’s SEA electric architecture instead of the Mercedes platform. The 168.1 inch long vehicle comes with triangular LED headlights with a central light bar connecting them. The design includes frameless windows and a “floating halo” glass roof. The in-cabin technology includes a 12.8 inch infotainment system screen with AI-based voice controls, a 9.2 inch digital instrument panel sits in front of the driver, which is augmented by a 10 inch heads-up display. It will feature over-the-air updates, phone-as-key capability and a number of driver-assist systems such as adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist.

The production version boasts 268 horsepower and 253 pound-feet of torque. The #1 has a maximum range of 273 miles, according to the European WLTP test cycle. It’s 66kWh battery, which is connected to a single electric motor on the rear axle, can charge up from 10% to 80% in half an hour with a 150kW DC charger, and with a 22kW AC supply it will charge up within three hours. It has a top speed of 112mph, compared to the Smart EQ Forfour, which has a top speed of 81mph.

The #1 will not be sold in the U.S. market after exiting the North American market in 2019 after 11 years of selling the Fortwo microcar.

By Emily Nicholls