smart has grown two sizes larger – following Sprite #1 and #3, now Sprite #5 has arrived.
On August 28, smart Sprite #5 made its global debut in Australia. This debut of Sprite #5 did not announce detailed versions or prices, but it featured two distinctive points.
One is the product itself – Sprite #5 is a 4.7m midsize SUV, contrasting dramatically with smart’s traditional image of high-quality compact cars. Another is the timing – the debut of Sprite #5 coincided with Sprite #1/3’s launch in Australia. This portrays smart’s determination to expand its product line, enhance global influences, and grow its market.
Zhang Mingxia, CMO of Smart, once said “Don’t belittle Smart.” With the expanding product line and growing market, Smart’s influence is undeniable.
The Biggest Smart in History
Sprite #5 is the largest smart ever.
From the discontinued fortwo and forfour to Sprite #1/3/5, smart has always been known for high-quality compact cars, but in fact, the models it introduces have been expanding.
This trend began with Sprite #1. The length, width and height of Sprite #1 are 4270mm, 1822mm, and 1636mm respectively, with a wheelbase of 2750mm, which is already much larger than that of fortwo and forfour.
Sprite #3 is even larger, with dimensions of 4400mm, 1844mm, 1556mm and a wheelbase of 2785mm, which is much bigger than Sprite #1. As for Sprite #5, it’s even bigger, reaching mid-sized SUV size with dimensions 4705mm, 1920mm, 1705mm and a 2900mm wheelbase.
Regardless of whether it’s the previous fortwo, forfour or the current Sprite #1/3/5, smart’s products are getting larger, but its delicate and personal traits have remained consistent.
In terms of appearance, unlike the smooth rounded body of Sprite #1/3, Sprite #5’s design adds a lot of bold lines, such as its headlights and bumpers, which matches Sprite #5’s off-road-oriented temperament.
It’s worth noting that the headlight designs of Sprite #1/3 are very similar to the taillights of Benz EQE, EQS, etc. Moreover, the taillight design of Sprite #1/3 is generally symmetrical to the headlights. Sprite #5’s headlights and taillights completely depart from Benz’s style and adopt smart’s original design. Interestingly, like the recently launched Xpeng MONA 03, the headlight and taillight designs of Sprite #5 are exactly the same.
Returning to the side, the design of the Sprite #5 bears a strong resemblance to that of the Sprite #1/3, providing a visually appealing round and fluid aesthetic. This not only facilitates a reduction in wind resistance but also lends a more refined and trendy appearance to the Sprite #5. Adding to the luxurious feel, the Sprite #5 features a wheel design with a floating hub cap, while the D-pillar retains an illuminated logo.
Speaking of the side, let’s interject a story about the car doors. The concept car of the smart Sprite #1 and the actual production car have a notable difference – the former features a gull-wing door, while the latter adopts a conventional swing-out door, just like the Sprite #5.
Earlier this year at the Beijing Auto Show, smart had already exhibited the concept car of the Sprite #5. The design of the car was nearly identical to the actual production car we see now, where the car door was initially designed as a gull-wing door. However, in the actual production car, smart resorted to the more conventional swing-out door design for the Sprite #5, thus inducing anticipation for future smart models to feature a gull-wing door.
Next, let’s turn our attention to the interior. The Sprite #5’s interior is noticeably different from that of the Sprite #1/3, heavily drifting away from the Benz influence and incorporating more smart-specific features.
On the dashboard, the Sprite #5 exhibits an instrument display, a central control screen, and a co-driver screen, all aligned in a row, with an AR-HUD residing directly in front. Both the central control screen and co-driver screen measure 13 inches, whereas the AR-HUD is sized at 25.6 inches.
Although the Sprite #5 is plentifully equipped with screens, it still retains some physical buttons such as the headlights, hazard lights, and trunk release. Even on the steering wheel, the Sprite #5 maintains a hefty number of physical buttons.
Furthermore, with closer inspection, one would note that the central control screen and co-driver screen aren’t directly placed on the dashboard but rather form a slender arch with it. As the designers explained, the inspiration originates from a tie clip.
Worth mentioning, the interior of the Sprite #5 incorporates an abundant number of real wood panels, seat adjustment buttons displayed on the door panel, and atmospheric lights emitting splendid glowing colours, thereby preserving some luxurious traits of the Benz style.
Additionally, the Sprite #5 has also embarked on a significant modification in terms of the sound system – switching from Beats to Sennheiser, compared to the Sprite #1/3.
The set of Sennheiser audio mounted on the elf #5 consists of 20 speakers, with a peak output power exceeding 2,000 watts, and also supports Dolby Surround Sound. Additionally, this sound system incorporates Sennheiser’s patented audio algorithm technology, including the Concerto immersive audio software module with AMEBO and the Contrabass bass enhancement algorithm.
Moreover, the elf #5 is equipped with a portable HiFi speaker with a battery size of 42 Wh and a volume of 3.2 L. It can act as a speaker in the car, integrating with the overall sound system, or be used separately outside the car.
Overall, despite having all the necessary interior elements, the elf #5 appears a bit crowded, a bit dazzling due to elements stacked together. Of course, many elements together can also be understood as rich and full.
In terms of intelligence, electrification, and driving control, the information revealed by the elf #5 this time is not much, let’s take a brief look.
In terms of intelligence, the elf #5’s smart cockpit carries the AMD V2000 chip, with computing power approaching twice that of Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295, laying the hardware foundation for a smooth car machine experience; smart driving is equipped with lidar and supports the [smart] Pilot Assist 3.0 intelligent driving system.
For electrification, the elf #5 carries an 800V high-voltage architecture and is equipped with a 100 kWh battery. Official data shows that the maximum mileage of the elf #5 CLTC condition is 740 km, the shortest time to charge the battery from 10% to 80% is 15 minutes.
In terms of driving control, the elf #5 has 8 driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Sport, sand, snow, mud, rock, adaptive, and the elf #5 also has a maximum wading depth of 500 mm.
Additionally, the elf #5 also has a Jungle Elysium special edition, equipped with an X-shaped roof platform, backpack, side ladder, chassis safety armor, side steps, external projector, V2L external configuration, etc.
In summary, the elf #5 is a mid-size SUV that can be driven daily in the city and occasionally for outdoor off-road, showcasing individuality. Based on our understanding, the elf #5 will be on sale and delivered domestically by this October, and we will have to see its price.
As for the actual product strength of the elf #5 in all aspects, everyone can continue to pay attention to our tests.
[smart] is not just about big products
The birth of the elf #5 represents [smart]’s adherence to its own brand personality, and at the same time it is a challenge to a larger market territory and wider brand influence by [smart].
During the Chengdu Auto Show last year, Zhang Mingxia once stated to us that, “The hardest part of the strategy is choosing what not to do”, “[smart] brand wants to do things with a brand tone”.The current car market is riddled with an abundance of trend-chasing or imitation. As soon as a product becomes popular, replicas promptly appear. Objectively speaking, it is inevitable for automakers to have their own difficulties, with the market increasingly crowded and competition dramatically intense. In order to swiftly produce hit products, grab market shares, and generate profits, automakers have to exhaust unremittingly all means at their disposal.
Though smart is a niche brand, it does not indicate that it should not have a certain scale. Without an adequate scale and profit, we can hardly talk about the long-term development of the brand.
Since the complete revitalization of its brand in 2022, with the support of Elf #1/3, the production scale of smart has exceeded 100,000 units to date. However, from a sales perspective, smart still unavoidably faces the problem of under-achieving delivery volumes.
Therefore, given the fierce competition in the car market, smart still holds on to its brand individuality. It takes resolute courage and strategic perseverance to introduce products like Elf #5. Nevertheless, through Elf #5’s initial show in Australia, it is evident that smart has its own deliberation and pace for expanding scale and profits.
On one hand, as an SUV with a somewhat off-road focus, Elf #5 does not appeal to the mainstream market, but its brand attractiveness, recognizable appearance, and multi-scenario driving capabilities may have a chance to resonate with more users.
On the other hand, if the past smart evolved from Europe to the world, then the current smart is launching from China to the globe.
Regardless of where it originates from, smart is ultimately aiming for the global market. Only in doing so can smart enlarge its market range while maintaining its brand tonality, and garner additional sales and profits. Plus, based on a global standpoint, the capability of smart as a whole to resist risks will also grow stronger.
According to official information, smart’s market reach now covers over 30 countries and regions. As Zhang Minghua puts it, “Don’t underestimate smart.”
In brief, the current smart is not just magnifying its products, but also its market scale. It is further magnifying its brand through product and market. To what extent smart will grow is unknown, yet what is certain is that smart should not be overlooked.
This article is a translation by AI of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.