New Smart #5 electric SUV packs up to 637bhp

The new Smart #5 is not just the brand's largest model yet but by far its most powerful, too, putting out more than 600bhp in its most potent guise. 

The new Volkswagen ID 4-rivalling electric crossover was shown in concept form at the Beijing motor show earlier this year, but official specifications remained under wraps. Now the first pictures of the production car have been published by China's ministry of technology, revealing its final design and confirming its key technical specifications.

The headline figure is the 637bhp output of the top-rung dual-motor car, which outpunches the most potent version of the smaller #1 and #3 crossovers by more than 200bhp - and is more, even, than the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N and Kia EV6 GT.

Unlike its performance-focused siblings, though, it doesn't appear to wear Brabus branding. 

Full performance figures haven't been detailed yet, but so equipped, Smart's new SUV is expected to hit 62mph from rest in well under 3.0sec.

There will be a less potent dual-motor option, although still with a lofty 579bhp, as well as a pair of single-motor, rear-driven cars with either 335bhp or 358bhp.

The RWD cars use lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) batteries, while the 4WD models use conventional lithium ion batteries. 

Capacities haven't yet been given, but Smart has already confirmed that the #5 will be available with more than 100kWh of capacity in its longest-range form, and that it will be equipped with an 800V electrical architecture for 10-80% charges in 15 minutes.

Measuring 4705mm long by 1920mm wide and 1705mm tall, the #5 is a close match in size terms for the likes of the new Peugeot 5008, but it will come with five rather than seven seats. 

Design-wise, it stays true to the straight-backed, blocky proportions of the concept, although it swaps that show car's off-road ethos for a more road-focused positioning, sitting lower and with a more overt urban billing.