Zakirin
The smart #1 is striking back against intense competition in the electric SUV market with a significant update. Scheduled to launch in China on August 6, the Geely-Mercedes-Benz joint venture is rolling out an upgraded 2026 model designed to keep pace with closely-related rivals like the Volvo EX30 and Zeekr X.
While the exterior remains largely familiar, the real story lies beneath the sheet metal with a shift to a much faster charging architecture.
800-Volt Architecture and Powertrain Upgrades
The most crucial update for the 2026 smart #1 is its adoption of a new 800-volt electrical architecture. It is the first among the smart-Volvo-Zeekr trio to gain this “6C” DC fast-charging capability.
- Ultra-Fast Charging: The new 800V system allows the battery to surge from a 10 percent to an 80 percent state of charge in a blistering 12 minutes.
- Thunder 16-in-1 Motor: The EV will feature Geely’s latest Thunder 16-in-1 electric motors, which boosts operational efficiency to a class-leading 93.8 percent.
- Power Output: The single rear-wheel-drive motor configuration now produces 333 PS (245 kW). This represents a power increase from the original 272 PS model, though it is slightly down from last year’s 340 PS version.
- Battery and Range: The new 61.52 kWh battery pack is slightly smaller than the previous 66 kWh unit and is likely a Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) pack rather than NMC. It offers a CLTC-rated range of 535 km, translating to roughly 440 km under the WLTP cycle—matching the outgoing model’s range.
Interior Tech: Sennheiser Audio and a Larger Screen
Inside the cabin, the signature T-shaped flowing dashboard and 9.2-inch instrument display are retained, but key touchpoints and tech have evolved.
- New Infotainment Screen: The cabin features a much larger central infotainment touchscreen. The row of capacitive touch buttons along the lower edge has been removed, with some of those controls relocated to the roof console.
- Tripod Accessory Mounts: Reflecting current trends in China, the dashboard now features tripod-style interfaces on either side. These mounts can power accessories like action cameras or phone holders at up to 72 watts.
- Sennheiser Sound System: The 13-speaker audio system has transitioned from Beats branding to Sennheiser, aligning the #1 with the new smart #5.
Subtle Exterior Tweaks and ADAS
Because the original design of the smart #1 still stands out, exterior modifications were kept to a minimum.
- New Door Handles: The vehicle now utilizes mechanical pull-up door handles to comply with China’s impending ban on electronic door releases.
- Fresh Colors: Buyers in China can select new Blue Gold and White Gold paint finishes, which are paired with Corona Gold door inserts and roof.
- Advanced Driver Assistance: The #1 gains Geely’s G-Pilot H5 highly-automated city and highway driving system. This includes an expanded sensor array with a roof-mounted lidar unit, though this advanced ADAS suite will likely remain exclusive to the Chinese market.
