Smart, which has spent the past few years reinventing itself as a maker of relatively conventional electric SUVs and crossovers, is about to make a big return to its past. Yes - an all-new two-seat Smart city car is set to return.
What do we know about the new Smart?
We know that this new two-seater will make its global debut - in concept form at least - at the upcoming Beijing motor show on April 22. We also know, more or less certainly, that it will be called the Smart #2 in line with the brand's current Tik-Tok-friendly naming strategy.
What else do we know?
We know that the new Smart #2 will be fully electric, and that it's based on a bespoke platform, rather than a cut-down version of the Geely-sourced chassis that's used by the Smart #1 and #3 models already on sale in Ireland.
We can see, pretty clearly, from this sketch that the #2 will keep the same basic overall style and proportions of its predecessor, the Smart ForTwo, but with larger, more expressive headlights and - if the sketch is in proportion - bigger alloy wheels, and those will still be set far out at each corner of the car.
Anything else?
There's a curious design detail on this sketch, which is a bulbous shape where you'd expect to find a radiator grille, which also seems to have what might be straps on it. Is this some kind of nifty removable storage device? A built-in Smart suitcase maybe? We shall see.
Any tech details?
Nothing solid yet - we'll have to wait until Wednesday - but Smart's engineers have spoken in the past about this new #2 platform being dual-motor capable, so four-wheel drive might be on the cards.
What else is Smart up to?
Smart is also using the Beijing show to launch its first ever four-door saloon, the #6. This, which goes on sale in China first, before coming to Europe eventually, will be a Tesla Model 3 rival, which will have a range-topping Brabus high-performance version with more than 640hp.