Peter Lyon
July 10, 2024
After much anticipation, the highly rated Smart #3 has now debuted in Malaysia. It comes in three specs—the Pro, Premium, and Brabus, with prices starting from RM175,000 for the Pro model stretching up to the Brabus spec at RM225,000.
The brand’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform, which also serves as the underpinnings for the Smart #1 is employed on Smart #3. The Smart #3 Pro, Premium, and Brabus are perfect for Malaysian roads measuring 2,788 mm for the wheelbase, 4,370 mm in length, 1,844 mm wide, and 1,556 mm high.
All Malaysian versions come with 19-inch alloy wheels, a power tailgate and LED headlamps. As expected, the Brabus aero package gives the Smart #3 Brabus a more aggressive exterior appearance and beefier street cred. Additionally, the illuminated side emblems on the more expensive Premium and Brabus models pulse while the vehicle is charging.
There are five different colour options available for the Smart #3 Brabus in Malaysia. Among these are Photon Orange, Meta Black (having a radiant red roof), Atom Grey-Matte, and Digital White (with an eclipse black roof) and two for the Pro — Digital White and Meta Black.
All of the Smart #3 versions have the same power output as the #1 models, but because of the reduced drag coefficient (0.27 vs. 0.29 in the #1), there is a modest improvement in efficiency and acceleration.
In terms of performance, the Smart #3 Pro and Premium in Malaysia are equipped with a single motor setup that produces 272 hp and 343 Nm at the rear wheels. Three drive modes—Eco, Comfort, and Sport—are included in Smart’s new electric vehicle to better meet the demands of the driver. It will jump from zero to 100 km/h in 5.8 seconds before reaching a top speed of 180 km/h.
Conversely, the top-of-the-line Brabus model gets a 428 hp dual-motor setup and four wheels drive. The Brabus slo has the same drive modes as its less expensive Pro and Premium siblings. However, it also has a Brabus mode that mimics the sound of an Italian V6 engine, a sound experiment that more carmakers are embarking upon.
According to reports, the 49 kWh LFP battery of the entry-level Smart #3 Pro in Malaysia allows it to drive up to 325 km (WLTP) but expect that to drop below 300km in the real world. In contrast, the Premium variant’s 66 kWh ternary (NCM) battery allows it to drive up to 455 km (WLTP), a number that should fall to the low 400s in the real world.
Despite the Smart #3 Brabus also sporting the same battery capacity as the Premium variant, it has a shorter range of 415 km (WLTP) due to the more powerful dual motors.
Moving inside, the 2023 Smart #3 in Malaysia comes as standard with equipment such as a 9.2-inch digital instrument cluster, a 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen head unit with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a Cheetah mascot, rear air-con vents, and a panoramic halo roof with electric sunblind, among other features.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
This could be the perfect EV for buyers wanting something compact, prestigious, fun to look at and drive, and boasting adequate range and performance with acceptable charging capability. And the price is even reasonable.
