MOTORING REVIEW: First drive in Smart’s #3 SUV Coupe

THE latest all-electric car to arrive in Ireland is the new Smart #3 SUV Coupe launched mid last week and now on view in selected dealer showrooms within the Mercedes-Benz network. It comes hot on the heels of the brand’s recently introduced smaller Smart #1. Smart brand cars are all electric cars, developed by brand owner Mercedes-Benz in a joint venture with Chinese carmaker Geely.

Smart people claim the car is designed to meet all the driving needs in city and suburban environments and those looking for a dynamic driving performance coupled with the latest technology and peer-to-peer connectivity. It is the first SUV Coupe designed car to compete in the SUV segment. The car’s design doesn’t interfere with rear seat space.

Grades are the entry-level Pro, a Pro+ model, Premium model, an a Limited Edition celebrating smart’s 25th anniversary limited to a total of 500 units for Europe, and an exclusive Brabus AWD edition described as ‘a performance-oriented version likely to appeal to motorists who relish individualism and character’. Brabus GmbH is a German high-performance automotive aftermarket tuning company that collaborates with Mercedes-Benz. Sporty in appearance, it adds racy paintwork, larger wheels, sporty pedals and a specially developed ‘engine sound’ with a distinctive motorsport resonance.

Smart #3 comes with a 2.7m wheelbase which allows more rear leg room than its #1 sibling, a bigger 370 litre boot expandable to 1,160 litres, and has a 15 litre front trunk.

Having driven the Pro+ car at launch last week, I can confirm it is impressive from every angle. Ditto for the premium quality interior that sits five people in comfort. Once inside, as with many cars nowadays, you discover there’s no On/Off switch which I am always uneasy about. Your eye is drawn to the huge high-resolution and very colourful floating touch screen, a mix of key information and weird but wonderful graphics. But it’s distracting to say the least. The digital cluster is long and narrow with your current speed shown quite small.

On the road, I found it offered a comfy driving position, had strong acceleration, and was a pleasure to drive … except for the audible safety alert bongs which, as in many other cars, I find an annoying distraction and prefer to turn off.

The 272hp electric motor drives the rear wheels; torque is 343Nm. The two batteries are a 49kWh with a claimed range of 325km (WLTP rated) and a more powerful 66kWh offering up to a 455km range. From 0-100km/h takes 5.8 seconds for all models except the AWD Brabus which, with its 428bhp and 543Nm torque, can do the job in 3.7 seconds. Charging times from 10-80pc take under 3hrs (22kW AC charging) and from 10-80pc in just below 30 mins (150kW DC charging - CCS).

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The generous level of standard equipment in the entry level Pro grade, with the smaller battery, includes Matrix LED headlights, 19-inch alloy wheels, 7 airbags, an extensive driver assistance package with 360deg camera, blind spot monitor, front and rear parking sensors, panoramic sunroof, frameless doors, customisable infotainment, digital voice control, and connectivity interface features.

The distributors say they worked hard to ensure all grades are priced at under €60,000 to qualify for the SEAI government grant. The car comes with a 3-year vehicle warranty and 8-year battery warranty.

Smart #3 is priced from €38,714; the Limited 25th anniversary version from €51,765; and the Brabus variant from €56,500.