Smart Brings Back the Tiny City Car Idea With a New Electric Concept
The City Car That Faded
The Smart ForTwo once seemed like a practical solution for crowded cities. Its size made parking simple, and it stood out as a niche choice. European buyers took to it, but in the US, it struggled. Most Americans preferred larger, more flexible vehicles, and the ForTwo's drawbacks were tough to overlook.
Even so, the ForTwo built a name for itself as an efficient city car. That image stuck with Smart for years, even as the market moved toward crossovers and SUVs. Smart joined that shift, launching models like the #1 and #3, and eventually moving away from the small-car formula that made it unique.
Smart stopped making the ForTwo in 2022, ending a run of over twenty years. Still, the idea of a small two-seater never fully went away. Now, Smart is returning to that concept – not with a direct copy, but with a new take. The #2 is meant to carry on where the ForTwo left off, and the Concept #2 gives us the best look so far at what's coming.
A Concept That Leans Into Design as Identity
The Concept #2 is clearly a city car, but the design feels more deliberate this time. It keeps the compact shape, but the lines are smoother and the surfaces look more refined than earlier models.
The matte white and gold two-tone paint stands out right away. It gives the car a softer, more lifestyle-focused, fashion-led look instead of a purely practical one. Smart paid attention to the details, adding strap-like features, subtle textures, and finishes that feel more like accessories than standard car trim.
Other elements, including the wheels, match the same approach. The design is simple but not boring, with details that become more noticeable the longer you look. Smart says it's a mix of function and style, and that's evident in how the car stays clean while still standing out.
Sketches of the car back up this direction. The #2 looks wide for its size, with rounded shapes and a stance that feels more confident than the old ForTwo. It still looks friendly, but now it seems more purposeful and less like a toy.
What Smart Has Confirmed So Far
Smart has started to share what the project means beyond just design. The Concept #2 is the first real move toward a production car that will slot below the current models. It will be fully electric and use a platform made for small city cars.
Smart plans to show the concept at its global brand event, then bring it to a bigger stage at Auto Beijing 2026. At the same time, the brand will reveal the #6 EHD, a fastback sedan that shows how much the lineup is expanding.
The #2 is expected to launch in late 2026, with key markets to follow. It won't replace Smart's current SUVs, but will sit alongside them. Smart is aiming to offer both small city cars and larger, more traditional models again.
It's still unclear if a small two-seater can succeed in today's market. But Smart is ready to try again, this time with a stronger design focus and a fully electric setup.
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This story was originally published April 21, 2026 at 10:45 AM.