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Smart denies plans for a forfour successor while confirming the fortwo #2
British outlet Autocar recently floated the idea that smart might revive the four-seat forfour as a new model called the #4. The rumor was put to rest by smart’s global PR director Jack Bailey in a conversation with Carscoops: there are no plans to develop a #4. Instead, smart is focused on a two-seat electric city car—the upcoming #2—slated to arrive in the latter half of 2026.
Demand for A-segment, four-seat city cars has softened across many markets since smart’s heyday. A compact, two-seat electric car—true to the fortwo DNA—gives the brand a clearer chance to succeed commercially in Europe and the UK, where tight urban environments and EV incentives still favour ultra-compact models.
What we know about the #2
Details remain limited, but smart has revealed a few key points that matter to enthusiasts and city drivers:
- Launch window: late 2026.
- Layout: Expect a rear-mounted electric motor and a floor-mounted battery pack, continuing the fortwo’s compact rear-drive architecture.
- Platform: The #2 will use a new platform developed in collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, differentiating it from smart models developed primarily by Geely.
That Mercedes involvement could mean the #2 is more than a rebadged Geely city car; under the skin it may retain engineering cues and quality standards aligned with Mercedes’ urban mobility ambitions.
Design and production context
Since 2019 smart has operated as a joint venture with Geely, with Mercedes contributing styling and engineering direction on certain models. The crossover-like #1, #3 and #5 were styled by Mercedes but sit on Geely platforms and are manufactured in China by Geely’s Hangzhou partner. The Concept #1 revealed at the 2021 Munich Motor Show marked the public start of this collaboration.
However, the #2 stands apart. Its dedicated platform and the expected rear-motor configuration point back to smart’s original compact DNA—short overhangs, tight turning circle and maximum interior use for city driving.
Brief history: from City-Coupe to modern smart
smart was founded in 1994 as a joint venture between SMH (which later became the Swatch Group) and Daimler-Benz. The City-Coupe was delayed from a planned March 1998 launch to October that year due to handling tweaks; it was later renamed the fortwo in 2002. Across three generations the fortwo evolved through collaborations—Renault contributed to the 2014-era forfour (briefly sold by Renault as the Twingo) and electrification efforts accelerated in the 2000s.
Both the fortwo and forfour were produced until 2024, ending their runs as fully electric models. smart withdrew from the U.S. after the 2019 model year because the brand’s tiny, Europe-focused cars struggled to gain traction in America.
Market lessons and the road ahead
A few market realities shaped smart’s recent journey:
- Sales slump: Sales fell dramatically around 2018 after the brand pivoted to an all-electric lineup in certain markets, driving a 58% drop in the U.S. vs. 2017.
- Brand shift: Financial pressure and poor sales accelerated Geely’s operational role, making smart more of a Sino-German collaboration than a purely Mercedes sub-brand.
Still, there’s cautious optimism. If Mercedes’ engineering fingerprints run deep in the #2, the car might capture the spirit of the fortwo—compact, cleverly packaged, and city-optimized—while benefiting from modern EV efficiency and safety.
"The #2 is our chance to bring smart back to its roots," a source familiar with the project suggested. "Two seats, small footprint, maximum agility—that’s where smart historically resonated."
Highlights:
- No #4 (forfour successor) planned.
- fortwo replacement (#2) confirmed for late 2026.
- New Mercedes-collaborated platform, rear motor, floor battery expected.
For city car fans, the #2 represents a potential reset: a smaller, purer smart focused on urban EV mobility rather than the broader Geely-styled crossover range.
Source: autoevolution
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