smart has released the first official design sketches and detail images of the Concept #2, offering the clearest sign yet that the brand is preparing to revisit the small two-seater city car that made its name.
The concept is due to take centre stage at the smart Global Brand Event in Beijing on April 22, before appearing at Auto Beijing 2026. smart is positioning it as a modern take on the original fortwo, keeping the core idea of a compact urban runabout but reworking it for the electric era.
From the images and description released so far, the Concept #2 looks less like a retro remake and more like a design-led reboot. smart said it preserves the essential character of the old two-seater while reimagining it for current tastes and expectations.
The car keeps a very compact silhouette, but the styling appears more fashion-conscious than before, with a matte white and warm gold two-tone finish, cleaner surfacing and small detailing touches such as buckles and leather trim elements.
That design direction matters because smart is clearly trying to push the car beyond being merely practical transport.
The company said the Concept #2 is meant to reflect personal identity as much as urban functionality, which suggests the brand still sees style as a major part of its appeal, especially in dense city markets where small EVs need to stand out.
The Concept #2 will not be alone in Beijing. smart also said the event will host the world premiere of the smart #6 EHD, described as the brand’s first premium fastback sedan.
Unlike the Concept #2, though, the #6 EHD, a plug-in hybrid, is set to be offered only in China for now.
Together, the two models show how far smart’s portfolio has moved from its old single-car identity.
One points back to the brand’s roots, with a fresh electric two-seater for urban use.
The other pushes further into larger, more aspirational territory. smart said both were styled by the Mercedes-Benz Global Design Team and follow its current “Love, Pure, Unexpected” design philosophy.
The strategy indicates smart wants to show it can still do compact city cars, but without being boxed into them.
The Concept #2 may be the nostalgic draw here, but it also looks like a test of whether there is still room in the EV market for a small, distinctive two-seater with a strong personality.
