Smart has released official interior sketches of its upcoming #6 EHD, a luxury liftback sedan scheduled for a global debut at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show. This release offers a first look at a vehicle that represents a significant pivot in the brand’s identity and product strategy.
A Shift Toward Premium Dimensions
The #6 EHD is not your traditional Smart. Moving away from the compact, urban-centric microcars that defined the brand’s history, this new model is designed as a mid-size premium vehicle specifically for the Chinese market.
With a length of 4,906 mm and a wheelbase of 2,926 mm, it stands as the largest vehicle in the Smart lineup to date. This expansion into the sedan segment—following the brand’s recent SUV offerings like the #1, #3, and #5—signals a strategic move toward higher-margin, larger-format electrified vehicles.
Luxury Design: Beyond Minimalism
The interior sketches suggest a departure from the sparse, minimalist aesthetic of earlier Smart models. Instead, the brand is leaning heavily into a luxury design language influenced by its Mercedes-Benz heritage.
Key design details revealed in the sketches include:
– Aviation-inspired elements: Turbine-style air vents that reference aircraft engines.
– High-end textures: Upholstery featuring a classic houndstooth pattern.
– Innovative integration: A unique pop-up speaker embedded directly into the dashboard.
These “easter eggs” indicate that Smart is aiming to compete more directly with established premium sedan manufacturers by focusing on tactile materials and intricate visual detailing.
Performance and Range: The PHEV Advantage
Under the hood, the #6 EHD utilizes a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain, a choice that reflects a broader trend in the Chinese automotive market. The system combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine (120 kW) with electric propulsion.
According to official data, the vehicle offers a CLTC-rated pure-electric range of up to 285 km. This high range is a critical competitive factor, as it allows drivers to rely almost exclusively on electric power for daily commutes while maintaining the flexibility of an internal combustion engine for long-distance travel.
This hybrid approach addresses a major consumer pain point: the need for long-range electric capability without the “range anxiety” associated with inconsistent charging infrastructure.
Strategic Context: The Geely-Mercedes Alliance
The development of the #6 EHD is a direct result of the joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely. By leveraging Geely’s advanced electrification technologies and Mercedes-Benz’s luxury design principles, Smart is attempting to carve out a unique niche.
The vehicle has already undergone rigorous extreme cold-weather testing in northern China, with temperatures dropping below -35°C, ensuring that the hybrid system and battery performance remain reliable in harsh environments.
Conclusion
The Smart #6 EHD marks the brand’s transition from a niche microcar maker to a serious contender in the premium mid-size sedan market. By blending luxury design with high-range plug-in hybrid technology, Smart is positioning itself to capture the growing demand for sophisticated, versatile electrified vehicles in China.
