Smart #5 EHD is the brand’s first PHEV

Smart has unveiled the #5 EHD, a PHEV capable of a claimed electric range of 250km and a total range of 1600km. The former is on the back of its 41kWh battery pack. Overall claimed fuel consumption is 4.4L/100km.

At its core is a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine that delivers 120kW. This pairs with an electric motor that likely makes 250kW/373Nm, if it uses the same as that in the RWD #5.

Styling is the same boxy design as its pure electric stablemate. A roof-mounted lidar indicates advanced driver-assistance capabilities.

CATL supplies its lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, enabling a CLTC range of 250km. The WLTP figure is a claimed 208km.

The #5 EHD should therefore be seen as a long-distance companion to the existing BEV models. These currently offer up to 740km of range.

Currently, the smart #5 is not yet available in New Zealand. It was due to launch here at some point this year but hasn’t yet become available. Perhaps that’s because this PHEV model was on the radar of importers Armstrongs. Here smart is already well represented with pure EVs in the form of models #1 and #3. 

At 4705mm long, 1920mm wide, and 1710mm tall, with a 2900mm wheelbase, the #5 is comfortably the largest vehicle in Smart’s line-up.

It evidently weighs in at 2190kg so the hybrid #5 is lighter than the electric equivalent, largely due to its smaller battery.

Read our review of smart #1 and #3.

The #5 BEV has struggled since launch, even in China, but the introduction of the #5 EHD could help revive demand. Larger SUVs tend to do better as hybrids than fully electric models.

The new variant goes on sale in China later this year.