Smart Malaysia has announced that the smart #3 electric crossover has been awarded the title of Best Compact Premium EV at the 2024 Car of the Year (COTY) Awards organized by Carlist.my and Wapcar.
According to Zhang Qiang, the Chief Executive Officer of PRO-NET, “This award is a testament to our strong commitment to delivering an exceptional fully electric crossover experience for our customers.”
“The smart #3 has received an outstanding reception among Malaysians, and we are very grateful to the judges and the smart supporters for this recognition,” he further explained.
Officially launched in the middle of last year, the smart #3 is available in three main variants: Pro, Premium, and the sportier Brabus version.
The Pro and Premium variants are powered by a single rear-wheel-drive electric motor delivering 272 hp and 343 Nm of torque, while the Brabus variant features an additional electric motor on the front axle, bringing the total power output to 428 hp and 543 Nm.
As standard, the smart #3 offers a driving range of 455 km, or 415 km for the Brabus variant.
The smart #3 is priced from RM175,000 to RM255,000.
Pro-Net also announced several warranty packages during the launch, including:
22kWh smartCharge home charger worth RM3,200
Accessories package worth RM2,500
V2L adapter worth RM800
Complimentary 60GB internet data for 5 years
Standard warranty package
In addition, the standard warranty for the smart #3 includes a 4-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty, an 8-year/150,000km high-voltage component warranty, an 8-year/200,000km battery warranty, and 24/7 roadside assistance.
In terms of specifications, the Pro variant has a 49kWh battery, while the Premium and Brabus variants have a 66kWh battery.
The Pro and Premium variants feature a single rear electric motor with an output of 272hp and 343Nm torque, allowing acceleration from 0-100km/h in 5.8 seconds.
The smart #3 Brabus, on the other hand, has two motors on the front and rear axles, with a total power of 428hp and 543Nm torque. As the #3 Brabus is an AWD vehicle, its acceleration from 0-100km/h is much faster, around 3.7 seconds.
The maximum speed for all variants is 180km/h. The driving range is approximately 455km for the Pro and Premium, and 415km for the Brabus.
Both the BRABUS and Premium variants offer the best-in-segment 22kWh AC charger with the ability to charge the battery from 10 to 80 percent in less than 3 hours.
Furthermore, the smart #3 also enhances the latest safety technology, with 23 high-precision sensors supporting 21 ADAS functions to ensure driver safety on the road.
Standard features of the smart #3 include a Panoramic Halo Roof, CyberSparksLED+ with adaptive lighting assistance, and an illuminated front grille.
Recently, smart Malaysia conducted a preview session for its latest model, the smart #3, exclusively at the Pro-Net headquarters. We had the opportunity to get a closer look and even test drive the smart #3 on the Proton test circuit in Shah Alam. But first, a little background.
Background
For those who are uninitiated, smart is now owned by Geely and Mercedes-Benz, focusing solely on producing fully electric vehicles (EVs) at the moment.
The smart #3 is not just a sportier coupe version of the #1; it comes with several technical differences. Firstly, it is built on the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform shared with the #1 and several models under the Geely group.
In broad terms, the smart #3 is longer and wider than the #1 but lower, with approximately an 80mm difference between the two. Therefore, theoretically, the smart #3 is expected to offer more stable handling, right? We’ll discuss this further.
Unique features of smart #3
One distinctive feature of the smart #3 is its curved coupe-style roof, unlike the straight roof of the #1. The roof of the smart #3 has unique color play on the A-pillar and C-pillar, giving it a ‘floating roof’ effect.
Other features include front and rear LED lights, flush door handles, frameless windows, and illuminated logos. The smart #3 is also more aerodynamic than the #1, with a drag coefficient of 0.27 (0.29 for the #1).
Specification details
The lineup offers variants similar to the smart #1: Pro, Premium, and Brabus. The Pro variant has a 49kWh battery, while the Premium and Brabus variants come with a 66kWh battery.
The Pro and Premium variants have a single rear electric motor with an output of 272hp and 343Nm of torque, achieving 0-100 acceleration in 5.8 seconds.
On the other hand, the smart #3 features two motors on the front and rear axles, delivering a total power of 428hp and 543Nm of torque.
As the #3 Brabus is an AWD vehicle, its 0-100 acceleration is much quicker, around 3.7 seconds. The maximum speed for all variants is 180km/h, with a driving range of approximately 455km for Pro and Premium, and 415km for Brabus.
Initial impressions
So, how was the initial drive of the smart #3? From our experience on Proton’s high-speed oval track, the smart #3 accelerates smoothly.
The Premium variant reaching 100km/h in 5.8 seconds is more than sufficient. Imagine cruising this smart #3 on the highway; a smooth acceleration means easier lane changes and smoother traffic flow. Agree?
We also tested the dynamics at Pro-Net’s provided dynamic section, including figure-8, slalom, and straight-line acceleration. The smart #3’s chassis felt sturdier and agile due to its stiffer springs, shock absorbers, and anti-roll bars compared to the #1, giving it a sportier character.
The technical changes seem crucial and complement the sporty appearance of the #3. Turning in the figure-8 felt stable, with smooth torque delivery at low speeds.
This makes it suitable for everyday city driving by regular motorists. Among our experiences, the slalom tested the chassis stability, tire grip limits, and power delivery. The smart #3 easily reaches grip limits due to its rapid torque delivery, following your right foot’s commands.
However, the safety systems and strengthened chassis ensure the car remains in control and assists the driver in navigating through various situations. Body roll is noticeably reduced, making the smart #3 more nimble and agile when changing directions while accelerating and braking.
Overall, the smart #3 exhibits a distinct character compared to the #1, suitable for young buyers seeking an enjoyable EV for daily driving. Stay tuned for our extensive daily test drive report in both city and long-distance driving once we receive the smart #3 test unit shortly.
In the meantime, you can visit the Malaysia Autoshow 2024 from May 22 to May 26, 2024, as the smart #3 will make its debut appearance there. smart Malaysia representatives will be at Hall A2 (Premium Hall), MAEPS, Serdang.
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