Smart has shared the first images of its upcoming crossover SUV, which is currently being co-designed with Geely and is the largest Smart vehicle yet.
The company announced the intention to go full-electric in 2018 before being acquired by the Daimler-Geely Joint Enterprise. The merger means several things for Smart: for one, all cars will be made in China from now on.
For another, the cars themselves will undergo major technological transformations. The upcoming CUV in particular will come based on Geely’s SEA platform (Sustainable Experience Architecture), which is also used in the opulent Zeekr 001.
In this new project, Geely handles the technical side of things, while Daimler AG Design Director Gordon Wagener handles the design. Judging by the sketches, the new Smart will look much more aggressive than the current models (see video). Feature-wise, a multimedia system with OTA updates and voice commands is going to be present.
Smart will be unveiling the first concept car at the IAA Show in the early fall, which moves from Frankfurt to Munich this year. The final production version is slated to arrive next year.