Upcoming EV in Nepal: Smart #1

CG Motors, which entered into a business cooperation agreement with Smart in September 2023, is expected to unveil the Smart #1 (pronounced "hashtag one") electric compact SUV at the NADA Auto Show 2024. Smart Automobile Co., Ltd., a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz AG and Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, was established in 2019.

The #1 is fitted with a 62kWh battery that is good for up to 440 km (WLTP). The Smart #1 is available in four variants - Pro, Pro+, Premium and Brabus. The entry-level Smart #1 has a 268bhp electric motor driving its rear wheels and is quicker than any of its direct rivals. It can officially do 0-100kph in a zippy 6.7 seconds.

In the Chinese market, the #1 is available in both single and dual-motor configurations. The single-motor model offers a maximum power of 202 kW and peak torque of 343 Nm, with a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 6.7 seconds. The dual-motor variant boosts performance with 315 kW of maximum power, 543 Nm of peak torque, and an impressive 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 3.9 seconds.

Based on Geely’s SEA platform, which is also used by the Zeekr 001 and Lotus Eletre, the #1 is a spacious electric compact SUV with dimensions of 4270/1822/1636 mm and a wheelbase of 2750 mm. It features a 12.8-inch main screen, a 9.2-inch instrument panel, and a HUD head-up display.

The #1 has also received a full five-star rating from Euro NCAP for safety. It is equipped with the Smart Pilot L2 autonomous driving system, which is powered by the Qualcomm 8155 chip. Additionally, it comes with an impressive array of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, and front and rear cross-traffic alerts.