There’s no denying that the smart car is iconic. At the height of the 90s, the tiny fortwo city car was practical, new and plenty of fun too. Yet many don’t know the manufacturer’s pioneering background and its evolution into an electric powerhouse.
In celebration of all things smart, we’re delving into their origin story right up to today’s manifesto. Read ahead to find out all there is to know about smart cars, past and present.
When did smart car launch?
Contrary to popular opinion, the smart car isn’t exclusively a 90s phenomenon, the story goes all the way back to the 1970s.
In 1972, Daimler (now Mercedes-Benz), was keen to find a solution to ever-increasing congestion and air pollution in big cities, and wanted to explore the concept of a small city car that would help get people from A-B whilst emitting minimal pollution.
A prototype was launched in the early 1980s but sadly failed to meet rigid safety standards set by Daimler. So, it wasn’t until 1997 when the ‘smart’ car that we know and love was finally released at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The 90s smart – the cultural phenomenon
What we now know as the smart fortwo, was the brainchild of unlikely duo Swatch and Mercedes (Swatch Mercedes ART). After displaying at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the car went into mass production in 1998 and became an instant hit.
Famous for its tiny size, the car was a dream drive for city dwellers looking to take up less space and squeeze into small parking spots. The car was featured in films, came in a wide selection of vibrant two-tone colours, and became famous for the world’s smallest turning radius.
The car was notable for its ultra-compact size, distinctive design, and impressive fuel efficiency, quickly earning attention as a bold new approach to personal transportation.
The 00s smart – the electric innovation
Fast forward a decade and smart was experimenting with its style – launching a few model variations and the arrival of the smart forfour – the brand’s first four-seater in 2004.
However, the big news for the 2000s was smart’s pioneering use of electric vehicles. In 2007, a test fleet of 100 all-electric fortwos launched in London with full-scale production launching several years later.
Electrification really set the tone for smart’s future car production and in 2019 set its sights globally which saw a 50/50 ownership formalise between Mercedes-Benz and Chinese manufacturer, Geely.
With a re-brand and steadfast focus on all-electric vehicles, smart launched the first all-electric company SUV in April 2022, with the smart #1. The cars are a departure from the fortwo, they’re bigger, more family-friendly but still packed with fun. These sustainability-focussed vehicles are progressive, comfortable and a look into the smart’s future.
2025 and beyond
Over the years, the smart brand expanded its lineup and embraced electric powertrains, aligning with its original mission to promote sustainable urban travel. Today, smart remains a symbol of innovative city mobility, paving the way for future advancements in smart, connected, electric vehicles. The smart #5, a mid-size all-electric SUV, was unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show 2024 and we await the launch!
Timeline of smart models
The smart models have evolved over time, here is a full breakdown provided by smart:
1998-2000 smart City-Coupé
2002 smart Crossblade
2001-2007 smart City-Coupé & City-Cabrio
2001-2004 smart K
2003-2005 smart Roadster Coupé & smart Roadster Cabrio
2004-2006 smart forfour
2007-2015 smart fortwo & smart fortwo Cabrio
2008-2016 smart electric drive
2015-2017 smart fortwo & forfour
2017- Now smart EQ family, including the smart EQ fortwo, fortwo cabrio & forfour
Interested in smart? Take a look at our offers to find out more about the brand and its exciting future.