• Two variants of the 2022 Smart #1 offered in China
• SUV-style EV gets a range of up to 560 km
• Malaysia launch on the cards

This is the brand-new 2022 Smart #1, the first model by Smart under its new Mercedes-Benz and Geely joint venture. The new electric vehicle (EV) SUV has just gone on sale in China with prices starting from RMB 190,000 (~RM 125k to RMB 230,000 (~RM 153k). Two variants are offered at launch, namely Pro+ and Premium. 

Differentiating the Pro and Premium are equipment count and range. The Pro+ has a 535 km range, while the Premium offers a 560 km range. Both are rated under the CLTC (China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle) test cycle.

As covered in our earlier post, the Smart #1 (pronounced as number one) is developed on Geely’s modular SEA platform.

Also Read: First look at Smart #1 - Soon to be Proton Edar's first EV, developed by Mercedes-Benz, built by Geely

Power for the 2022 Smart #1 comes from a battery pack with a 66 kWh capacity. The rear-mounted motor can deliver 272 PS and 343 Nm, enabling the Smart #1 to complete the century sprint in just 6.7 seconds.

The 2022 Smart #1 uses a CCS Combo 2-type charging connector, which supports up to 22 kW AC charging and DC charging up to 150 kW. It takes 7.5 hours to charge from 5 percent to 80 percent state of charge, while fast charging takes less than 30 minutes for a similar state of charge.

Exterior-wise, the Premium variant offers automatic Matrix LED headlights (Pro+ variant gets regular LED units), as well as LED-illuminated daytime running lights (DRLs) and tail lights. The Pro+ offers 18-inch wheels wrapped in 235/50R18 tyres, while the Premium ups the tyre size to 235/45/R19. 

Also Read: Spied: Malaysia-bound Smart #1 seen, first model under Geely and Mercedes-Benz partnership

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Stepping inside the cabin of the Smart #1 and you’ll be greeted by a large 12.8-inch 1080P touchscreen infotainment display, as well as a 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster. There’s also a 64-colour ambient lighting system for both variants, while the Premium variant adds a massive 10-inch heads-up display and a 13-speaker Beats sounds system.

As with any Geely-developed model, safety is rather comprehensive. In the Smart #1, it is capable of Level 2 semi-autonomous driving, which includes niceties like Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go Function, Active Lane Keeping Assist, Blind Spot Assist, Highway and Traffic Jam Assist, Auto Parking Assist, and Adaptive High Beam Assist.

What about Malaysia?

Back in January, Proton signed an agreement with Smart which will see Proton Edar being appointed as the importer, distributor, and dealer for Smart in Malaysia and Thailand.

But that’s not all – Proton has also opened no less than 30 new positions for its New Energy Vehicle (NEV) department - a Chinese term for electrified vehicles (xEV,new energy vehicle, including mild-hybrids and plug-in hybrids).

The job vacancy poster carries the 2022 Smart #1 photo, which pretty much confirms the arrival of said electric SUV in Malaysia.

Also Read: Proton aggressively hiring talent for Smart and xEV department