The new electric Smart vehicle, code-named HC11, was spied in the wild. It is based on Geely’s SEA platform and got a performance version from Brabus. Chinese media speculate its name will be #2.
The Smart HC11 
The Smart #1
The Smart HC11 was spied in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. The first thing we have noticed is its body shape. The HC11 has got a sloppy coupe-shaped roofline. Its design is similar to Smart #1. It has the same headlights, pop-out door handles, and mirrors. The HC11’s length probably stays in line with the #1. But the new model is much lower. The rims of the HC11 also have a unique pattern with five spokes. Wheels also got red brake calipers. In general, its appearance looks way sportier than Smart #1.
Spies have also shot the interior of this mysterious EV. We can see that its seats have a Brabus logo on them. So the HC11 will get a performance version branded Brabus, just like the #1, continuing a long tradition of Brabus-branded speedy smarts. The HC11’s seats have a sporty shape with good lateral support. Their material is difficult to distinguish. It looks like leather with perforated alcantara or so.
Of course, we don’t know the Smart HC11 output yet. We may guess that it will share the same motors as Smart #1. So the standard version will get a rear engine for 272 hp. And the Brabus one will have an extra motor at the front that will add 128 horses. So the HC11’s total power might reach 400 horses. It’s a pretty decent number for such a small vehicle.
It might also get a 66kWh ternary lithium battery operating at 400V for a 420-440km WLTP range. Charging from 10% to 80% battery takes 3.5 hours on a standard charger. On a fast charger, max 150kW DC, this takes only 30 minutes.
In China, Smart plans to launch all sorts of versions and unique variants aimed at specific target audiences. Next for Smart are a smaller SUV, a larger one, a sedan, and possibly a compact MPV. It’s clear that the HC11 is that “smaller SUV”. We will surely keep an eye on this gem!
Source: Weibo, Pcauto
Hope they can PRICE this competitively. However do NOT think it would happened … ” Mercedes ” Branding !!!
Hi, EVFuture! Thank you for your comment.
I think the regular RWD #2’s price will be reasonable as it will be produced in China. But I’m not that sure about the Brabus version. Anyway, it seems that the key change of the Brabus #2 will be just an additional electric motor at the front and some badges :). So I believe the price won’t be extremely high. Fingers crossed, we’ll keep an eye on it!
Any idea when we are going to see small reasonably priced chinese cars for sale in the EU . All we have at the moment is the Ami plastic egg box .
Hello David!
Thank you for your comment. Personally, I think Chinese brands currently try to export mainly their halo cars to the EU. Their goal is to elevate their stature here. I think they are afraid no one would buy cheap Chinese vehicles, simply call it junk. By the way, a lot of Chinese cars are so expensive in the EU. And even the Ora Cat (Good Cat in China), which is going to hit the European market soon, will be a pricy car for ~£25,000. But, I believe, this situation will change slowly through the years.
I understand what you are saying but I think the manufacterers are making an obvious mistake in comparing their cars with the likes of Telsa and Nissan Leaf when they should see the Citroen Ami and the Renault Twizzy neither of which have a level of comfort the micro chinese cars have . The Citreon Ami in particular is a plastic egg box with less than 100km range , hard plastic seats https://store.citroen.fr/ami/my-ami-orange?gclid=CjwKCAjwjZmTBhB4EiwAynRmDyJqXE2-jyrEz2FhgCGTFMZSsebtBP12wucB-Xv7_NOA1qWafA8MERoCp88QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds plus it only comes in grey ! If any chinese car producer wants me to test drive and show off one of their microcars in France I would be happy to help for free although a bit of a discount when I come to buy one would be nice . 🙂