After it was first previewed at the KL Car Free Morning event last month, the Smart #3 will have its official Malaysian debut at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024. It will become the second electric vehicle to be released by Proton’s EV-oriented subsidiary, Proton New Energy Technology (Pro-Net) after Smart #1 was launched last November.
Smart #3 Malaysia pricing
Since the EV has not yet been launched in Malaysia, Pro-Net is keeping the pricing of Smart #3 under wraps at the moment. Based on what we have seen in other markets that have received the EV, the Smart #3 will likely cost more than #1 in our market.
To refresh your memory, the base-spec Smart #1 Pro currently costs RM189,000 while the higher-end Premium variant is available for RM219,000. As for the top-of-the-range Smart #1 Brabus, it is priced at RM249,000.
With that, we expect the corresponding variants of Smart #3 to cost an additional RM20,000 to RM30,000.
Smart #3 quick specs
As noted earlier, the new Smart #3 can be obtained in three different variants including Pro, Premium, and Brabus. However, do note that Pro-Net has yet to make any official announcement regarding variants that will be made available in Malaysia.
Nevertheless, let’s start with the Smart #3 Pro and Premium which share the same single-motor rear-wheel drive (RWD) setup. The motor can deliver 200kW (268hp) alongside 343Nm of torque which allows both variants to accelerate from 0 to 100k/h in 5.8 seconds.
That being said, they are powered by two different types of batteries that have different capacities as well. Smart has chosen the 49kWh LFP battery for the Pro option while the Premium variant received the 66kWh NCM battery instead.
Naturally, the battery capacity determines their range as the Smart #3 Pro can deliver a WLTP-rated range of 325km as opposed to its Premium counterpart which can provide up to 455km of range.
Meanwhile, Smart also has fitted the same 66kWh NCM battery into the Brabus model as well. Despite that, the Smart #3 Brabus has a lower range than the Premium at 415km although you do have to consider that this option comes with a much more powerful drivetrain.
Featuring a dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) setup, the Brabus option has a peak output of 315kW (422hp) together with a maximum torque of 543Nm. This allows it to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h much quicker than other Smart #3 variants at just 3.7 seconds although its top speed is still the same at 180km/h.
In terms of dimensions, the Smart #3 is a slightly longer vehicle than the Smart #1 with a wheelbase of 2,785mm (Smart #1: 2,750mm) and overall it is 4,440mm long (Smart #1: 4,270mm). While it is slightly wider at 1,844mm (Smart #1: 1,822mm), the Smart #3 is lower at 1,556mm (Smart #1: 1,636mm).
Aside from that, there are also other noticeable differences between the two EVs. For example, the illuminated Smart logo has moved from the rear pillar to the front wheel arches and gets a more aggressive-looking wheel design.
The seats are different too with a one-piece design for the front seats which now feature the “Smart” logo at the back of the headrest. The dashboard has been revised with three circular aircon vents in the centre.
Storage-wise, the boot offers 370 litres of space and it can be expanded up to 1,160 litres with the rear seats folded. Not to forget, there’s also a 15-litre frunk underneath the bonnet.
Malaysia Autoshow 2024 dates, ticket price
As for the Malaysia Autoshow 2024 itself, the event will be open to the public starting on Wednesday, 22 May and will last until Sunday, 26 May. To be held at MAEPS in Serdang, the general entry ticket for the event is priced at RM20 although children aged 9 and below, persons with disabilities (OKU), and senior citizens aged above 60 years old can visit the event for free.
