The smart #3 will be the second model to come to Malaysia after the smart #1
Smart recently unveiled its first-ever sports utility coupé, the smart #3, at an exclusive brand event at the recent Auto Shanghai show where Proton’s senior management members were also present.
In case you didn’t know, Proton is the official importer and distributor of smart vehicles in Malaysia and Thailand, a position it holds via its subsidiary PRO-NET. The national carmaker confirmed that it will launch the smart #1 in Q4 of 2023, followed by the smart #3 which will go on sale in China and Europe before heading to other markets such as Malaysia.
Design-wise, the exterior of the smart #3 features slimmed-down CyberSparks LED headlights that are paired with a distinctive “shark nose” and an A-shape wide grill. On the sides, the prominent two-tone roof meets the smooth, continuous e-line that connects the A-pillar and C-pillar, creating an elegant sporty silhouette.
Meanwhile the spoiler, C-pillar, and the rear fender combine with the bumper to create a modern curvature, while taillights with pixelated elements enhance the vehicle’s premium feel. Furthermore, the smart #3 will come in new and exciting colours including a vibrant Photon Orange Metallic and a futuristic Electric Blue Matte exterior as well as a new Vibrant Brown interior variant.
In the interior, the cockpit reaffirms the model’s sporty energy with circular shapes evocative of turbine intakes, embedding voluminous elements throughout the calm and stylish architecture. The sculpted dashboard flows seamlessly into a high console, housing the central cockpit, a 12.8-inch elevated central screen.
The combination of natural light from the halo roof and artificial illumination from multi-coloured ambient lighting further enhances the airy interior atmosphere. Thanks to a longer wheelbase than the smart #1, the smart #3 offers a more spacious interior.
The infotainment system on the other hand, comes equipped with a 13-speaker Beats Soundsystem, which complements the avant-garde smart #3 cabin experience.
smart has not revealed any technical details of the #3 but we expect the compact SUV to be powered by a similar powertrain package as the #1, producing a total output that is rated between 154 hp and 270 hp depending on variant.
Looking at the picture above, the presentation in the background hints at a range of up to 520 km, a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 3.6 seconds in Launch Mode, as well as a cruising speed of 103 km/h.
“We are proud to finally present our first-ever sports utility coupé, the all-new smart #3 to the world. As an all-electric pioneer smart is committed to uncompromising quality of experience and interactions. Our goal has always been to address the multifaceted and changing needs for mobility.”
“Therefore, smart will keep on expanding its product family to offer a variety of cars that optimally suit different customer groups and lifestyles,” said Dirk Adelmann, CEO of smart Europe.
“Proton will soon enter the NEV market in Malaysia as we heed the government’s call to transform the country into a regional hub for next generation vehicles (NxGV). Our first step is to launch the mild hybrid powered Proton X90 followed by the introduction of the smart #1. However, following the signing of a Heads of Agreement (HoA) document with Geely earlier this month and the subsequent visit to the Zeekr intelligent factory by the MITI Minister, we are considering accelerating our timeline for model introductions,” said Dr Li Chunrong, Chief Executive Officer, PROTON, and Chairman, PRO-NET.
