Smart has confirmed plans to launch a new all-electric city car, channelling the spirit of the iconic Fortwo.

Currently in development, the two-seater is due late 2026 and heralds a return to the A-segment for Smart, now run by Geely and Mercedes and repositioned as a leading design brand with an all-electric line-up.

The newcomer will team up “cutting-edge EV technology” with evolved core qualities of the original Smart Fortwo, first launched 27 years ago and later expanded with an electric variant. As with the original Fortwo, which spanned three generations until it was axed in 2024, Europe is a key market for the reinvented “icon of urban mobility”.

Its forthcoming international debut follows a successful feasibility study of the car, codenamed ‘Project: Two’.

Smart’s model range already includes the #1 compact SUV, the #3 electric coupé-SUV launched last year and the soon-to-be-launched #5 SUV.

As with these models, the #2 will be co-developed, with styling from the worldwide Mercedes-Benz Design network and engineering likely to be provided from Geely global engineering centres. The new city car will also introduce new technology for the segment.

Dirk Adelmann, CEO of Smart Europe, said the #2 marks a milestone moment for the Smart brand on a global scale.

“The Smart #2 will shape a new era of individual urban automobility, especially in classic smart cities such as Rome, London or Paris. The decision comes at the right time, as we benefit from the respective strengths of our main shareholders Mercedes-Benz and Geely, and strong backing by new investors, along with the successful market launch of the Smart #5. The new Smart #2 will be a unique, authentic addition to the all-electric product portfolio of Smart in Europe.”

The Smart #2 will be produced in China and is currently in the final design and development phase.