Smart launches new-generation #1 in China with 800V charging — starting around $22,100

Smart has introduced a new-generation #1 in China, repositioning the small electric SUV with an 800‑volt silicon carbide high‑voltage architecture, a 61.52 kWh LFP battery, and fast‑charging claims that the company says let the car go from 10% to 80% in 12 minutes. The model launches in two trims and comes with optional advanced driver‑assistance hardware on the higher variant. Limited‑time pricing starts at about RMB 149,900 (roughly $22,080), according to the manufacturer.

What the new #1 is and who makes it

The Smart #1 is the latest small all‑electric SUV from Smart, a joint venture between Mercedes‑Benz and Geely Auto. The 2026 new‑generation model is Smart’s first product to use an 800‑volt platform as standard across the range, a step the company highlights to compete on charging speed and system efficiency.

Key specifications verified from the launch

• Platform and power electronics: an 800‑volt silicon carbide (SiC) high‑voltage platform is standard across the lineup.
• Electric motor: a single rear motor with peak power of 245 kW (329 hp) and peak torque of 320 Nm; official 0–100 km/h time is 6.7 seconds.
• Battery and range: a 61.52 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery rated for 535 km under the CLTC cycle.
• Charging: the car uses what Smart calls 6C ultra‑fast charging; company material states 10% to 80% in 12 minutes for the higher‑performing charge capability.
• Dimensions: 4,270 mm long, 1,822 mm wide, 1,636 mm tall, with a 2,750 mm wheelbase.

Trim levels, pricing and launch incentives

The new model is offered in two main versions at launch: the 535 Max and the 535 Ultra. Official list prices are RMB 152,900 for the Max and RMB 172,900 for the Ultra. Smart is advertising limited‑time prices of RMB 149,900 and RMB 169,900 respectively; the lower limited‑time price converts to about $22,080. The company is also promoting purchase incentives worth more than RMB 25,000 in aggregate, including cash deductions, discounted upgrades for assisted‑driving hardware and reduced options for wheels and an official home charger. Trade‑in discounts for current Smart owners are also listed on the launch materials.

Intelligence and assisted driving: what’s standard and what’s optional

Smart emphasises upgraded intelligence in the Ultra trim. That version is fitted with a roof‑mounted LiDAR, Nvidia’s Orin Y compute chip and Geely’s Afari Smart Driving (G‑ASD) H5 assisted‑driving system. The announced sensing suite counts 31 components and a peak compute capability of 200 TOPS; Smart says that configuration supports navigation assistance on urban roads and highways without relying on high‑definition maps. On the Max trim those features are optional, with the G‑ASD H5 package initially offered at a promotional half price (RMB 14,000 at launch).

How this compares with rivals

The launch material positions the new #1 against several compact electric SUVs in China. Direct competitors named by the company include the Zeekr X, the Mini Aceman (electric Mini), and Nio’s Firefly EV. In a broader price band, Smart expects to compete with value‑oriented offerings such as BYD’s Yuan Plus and Xpeng’s Mona L03. The main technical differentiator Smart highlights is the move from the previous 400‑volt architecture to an 800‑volt SiC platform, which it presents as an improvement in fast‑charging capability.

What matters globally — and what remains unverified

Why this launch matters: 800‑volt architecture and SiC power electronics are widely seen in higher‑performance EVs because they can enable faster charging and smaller, lighter powertrains. Making 800V standard on a lower‑priced compact SUV is noteworthy if charging infrastructure and real‑world charger compatibility support the advertised charging rates. The claimed 10–80% in 12 minutes would be a competitive charging time if delivered under accessible public DC fast‑charging conditions.

Limits and open questions: the launch materials use the CLTC test cycle for range (535 km), which is generally more optimistic than WLTP or EPA numbers used outside China; readers should not assume equivalence between CLTC figures and internationally used range standards. The 10–80% in 12 minutes claim is manufacturer‑stated and depends on charger availability, battery thermal state, ambient temperature and battery state of health — factors not detailed in the announcement. The information packet does not provide independent test data, real‑world charging power curves, or the number of production units planned, so production scale and how frequently buyers will be able to reach the peak charging rate in everyday use remain unconfirmed.

Timeline and product positioning

1. Launch announcement: Smart unveiled the new‑generation #1 in early August 2026 in China.
2. Trims and pricing announced at launch: two trims (535 Max and 535 Ultra) with official and limited‑time promotional prices published by Smart.
3. Availability: the launch coverage presents the model as a commercial product available for purchase in China; the materials do not state international availability or specific export timelines.

Practical implications for buyers and fleet operators

For Chinese consumers, the new #1 offers a relatively affordable entry point to an 800‑volt SiC EV if the limited‑time pricing is applied. Buyers who prioritise rapid charging and assisted‑driving options will need to evaluate whether local DC fast‑charging networks offer compatible power delivery and whether the optional sensing and compute package meets their desired level of driver assistance. Fleet operators should seek independent verification of charging throughput, duty‑cycle performance and the effects of repeated fast charging on LFP battery longevity before committing at scale.

Takeaways

• Smart’s new‑generation #1 is a production model launched in China with an 800‑volt SiC platform and a 61.52 kWh LFP pack rated for 535 km CLTC.
• The company claims 10–80% charging in 12 minutes using 6C ultra‑fast charging; this is a manufacturer claim that depends on charger availability and operating conditions.
• Higher‑end Ultra models include roof LiDAR and Nvidia Orin Y compute for assisted driving; those features are optional on the Max trim.
• Limited‑time prices start at RMB 149,900 (about $22,080); official list prices were posted at RMB 152,900 and RMB 172,900 for the two trims.
• Range figures use the CLTC cycle and are not directly comparable to WLTP or EPA numbers used in other markets.

All technical specifications, prices and promotional offers cited above are taken from Smart’s launch information published at the time of the model’s China introduction. The company lists competitors and positioning in its materials; independent third‑party testing and broader availability outside China were not included in the launch documents.