New entry-level Smart #1 trim slashes price by £5000

The #1 is positioned as a premium crossover rivalling the Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric and Kia Niro EV, with an emphasis on maximising interior space. The result is a cabin comparable in size with that of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class but in a much more affordable package.

It is the first Europe-bound EV to use Geely's new SEA architecture – as first deployed on the Chinese-market Zeekr 001 shooting brake and soon to provide the basis for the Volvo EX30.

The German and Chinese companies sharing management of the Smart brand have already outlined their respective responsibilities: Geely will supply the fundamental architectures and Mercedes will take care of design.

Mercedes design chief Gordon Wagener has called the new design language Sensual Product, adding that it's "grown-up, cool and embodies beauty with smart solutions".

Certainly, the #1's efficiency and range figures stack up agreeably against its competitors. In the pricier models, power is stored in a 62kWh nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery that's good for a maximum range of 273 miles, while 150kW rapid-charging capacity means a 10-80% top-up can be completed in less than half an hour.

Smart's focus on maximising that range is evident in a design that clearly majors on aerodynamic efficiency. Indeed, a drag coefficient of 0.29Cd – achieved with the help of concealed door handles, an active grille shutter and a slippery, curved silhouette – puts it almost on a par with the Volkswagen ID 4.

The #1 also bears distinctive design cues expected to become hallmarks of the reinvented Smart range, namely its charismatic wrap-around front light bar, two-tone paint scheme, 'flying' roof and squat, compact proportions.

Inside, Smart has prioritised connectivity and 'user-centricity' as the defining features. The high-definition 12.8in infotainment screen is fully customisable and provides an interface for an avatar that responds to speech commands – currently a fox, but other characters will come with future updates.

Importantly, this system is unrelated to Mercedes' own MBUX infotainment platform, nor is it lifted wholesale from any car sold by Geely. It is instead sourced from Geely affiliate Ecarx, whose combination of a Qualcomm chip and bespoke software is claimed to give the #1 one of the most advanced systems on the market.

An associated app gives access to a raft of connectivity functions and live data, while over-the-air compatibility means a claimed 75% of the car's ECUs can be updated remotely.

The Pro+ brings a panoramic roof, heated seats and a 360deg camera as standard. It omits the heat pump available on more costly trim levels, so range is limited to 260 miles. Pro+ cars also lack a 22kW AC charger so are limited to 7.4kW from a home wallbox.