MONACO – With the world premiere of Concept # 1 close to production and unveiled at the Munich Motor Show, Smart traces the lines not only of the first SUV in its over twenty-year history but also of the new generation of models that will be built with the Chinese company Geely, of which Smart Concept # 1 leads the way. The two equal partners intend to transform the brand into a global leader in premium electric vehicles. The Geely network will be responsible for the development of the new Smart generation, while the interior and exterior styling will be handled by the Mercedes-Benz design network.
” The new smart Concept # 1 – said Daniel Lescow, Vice President Global Sales, Marketing & After-Sales of Smart Automobile – represents the first sign of our vision of a new sustainable mobility. It is characterized by a modern design, premium equipment and advanced technology ”. Concept # 1 is distinguished by LED strips on the front and rear, which offer a dynamic play of light, ambient lighting, which extends to the foot space and under the dashboard and a UI / UX concept of new development, with artificial intelligence. In Concept # 1 the glossy white livery that makes it is immediately recognizable as a member of the Smart family, it is combined with decisive design elements in anthracite and black in the lower part of the body, which emphasize the robustness of the SUV. One of the central elements of the design is represented by the glass roof, profiled by an illuminated frame, which gives brightness to the interiors, which are extremely spacious compared to the compact external dimensions (length / width / height in mm: 4.290 / 1.910 / 1.698; wheelbase: 2.750 mm).
The native BEV architecture means that, like the future production five-seater model, the four-seater concept offers leg and arm room equal to that of higher segment vehicles, as well as significant volume for luggage. . Ambient lighting integrated into the vehicle floor or the sophisticatedly designed air vents underline the premium ambition of the new generation of Smart models. One of the most significant design elements of the interior is the center console, which extends between the front seats and integrates seamlessly with the dashboard design. The central control element is the independent 3D touch screen with 12.8-inch display.
The new generation of Smart models will offer the highest level of dynamic management and passive safety, as well as important battery life, fast charging functions, a wide availability of cloud-based over-the-air (OTA) updates for the vehicle software, state-of-the-art infotainment features and innovative driver assistance systems. Connectivity will be entrusted to a powerful central computer that controls four main domains: infotainment, driver assistance systems, specific functions for electric mobility and electric / electronic vehicle architecture. Thanks to OTA software updates, over 75% of all engine control units (ECUs) can be continuously updated remotely. An AI avatar helps the user navigate the different menus and functions. Thanks to artificial intelligence, this virtual assistant continuously learns from the user’s behavior and can thus increasingly adapt to individual preferences.
A new smartphone app, specially developed for Smart, will help increase the level of comfort. In addition to the digital key function, it will allow the integration of various networked services and functions into the user’s digital ecosystem. For its new generation of models, Smart is also implementing an extensive overhaul of its sales structures. A data-driven approach will redefine omnichannel commerce and allow direct interaction with customers and enthusiasts, favoring targeted solutions to meet the individual needs of customers in the pre-sales, sales and post-sales phases.
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