The Smart #2 has entered its final global testing phase ahead of its official world premiere at the Paris Motor Show this October.

The all-electric two-seater marks Smart’s official return to the A-segment. It is the spiritual successor to the iconic Smart Fortwo, which originally launched 27 years ago. Now operated as a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, Smart is positioning the new model to deliver “unmatched urban agility”.

The vehicle is currently undergoing public road trials wearing a bespoke black-and-white camouflage livery styled by the Mercedes-Benz Global Design Team.

Unlike the previous electric Fortwo EQ, which shared its architecture with an internal combustion engine platform, the Smart #2 is built from the ground up on Smart’s Electric Compact Architecture (ECA), which delivers an “all-new proprietary architecture and technological platform”.

The final production vehicle will retain classic Fortwo traits that include a two-door, two-seat cabin configuration, rear-wheel-drive dynamics and the Fortwo’s signature ‘wheels-at-the-corners’ stance and ultra-compact footprint.

Inside, Smart is replacing the separate front seats of the #2 with a bench seat, as previewed by the recent Smart Concept #2. By removing the centre console, the carmaker aims to create an open, shared cabin that maximises the perception of interior space.

Smart has confirmed the new EV will offer a WLTP range of 186 miles (300km) and a rapid 10-80% charge time of under 20 minutes.

Pre-production testing is currently focusing on severe city challenges at dedicated proving grounds. Engineers are validating the vehicle’s agility through emergency lane changes, obstacle avoidance and low-grip wet road conditions. Ongoing chassis tuning includes refinements to the steering ratio, rack travel and suspension control to ensure a responsive, composed ride in tight city environments.

Beyond agility, the rigorous physical testing programme aims to ensure the compact vehicle can deliver an elevated, serene cabin experience.

To deliver a premium experience within its compact footprint, the Smart #2 is undergoing strict noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) validation. By testing various tyre compounds on rough asphalt, grooved concrete and high-speed straights, engineers sought an optimal balance between low rolling resistance for maximum range and exceptional noise reduction.

The rigorous validation programme ensures that the final production model delivers a reinvented interior, a new generation of the tridion safety cell that meets modern safety requirements, and a serene cabin environment that preserves the essential DNA of the original Fortwo.

Full specifications, pricing and launch dates will be revealed during the world premiere in Paris this October.