Every Smart Car Model Ever Made: The Complete Timeline from City Car to Electric SUV
There’s a moment in every city driver’s life when you spot a parking gap that looks impossible, only to watch a tiny Smart car slip in like it was built for that exact space—and you realize this brand has been quietly reshaping urban mobility for over two decades.
From its quirky beginnings as a Swatch-inspired microcar to today’s premium electric SUVs, Smart has come a long way. Let’s walk through every production model the brand has ever made.
TL;DR
Smart started in 1998 with the City-Coupé (later Fortwo) and has produced eleven distinct production models across its history. The lineup ranges from the iconic Fortwo two-seater to sporty models like the Roadster, practical four-seaters like the Forfour, and the new all-electric #1, #3, and #5 SUVs. The brand went fully electric in 2020, shifting from quirky city cars to premium urban EVs.
Key Takeaways
- Smart has produced 11 distinct production models since 1998, ranging from microcars to SUVs
- The Fortwo is the brand’s longest-running nameplate, spanning three generations and 26 years of production
- Unique models like the Crossblade and Roadster showcase Smart’s experimental, daring design philosophy
- The brand went fully electric in 2020 and has since launched the #1, #3, and #5—its first crossover SUVs
- Geely’s partnership with Mercedes-Benz (2019) transformed Smart into a premium all-electric brand
The Birth of Smart: A Swiss-German Dream
The Smart story actually begins way back in 1972, when Daimler-Benz first envisioned an ultra-compact city car . But it wasn’t until 1981 that the idea became a physical concept—the NAFA (short for “Nahverkehrsfahrzeug,” German for “short-distance vehicle”) . It was Daimler’s take on a small city car, but safety technology for tiny cars wasn’t quite there yet.
Fast forward to 1994, when Daimler partnered with Nicolas Hayek of Swatch Group fame . The name “smart” comes from combining Swatch, Mercedes, and art—a fitting origin for such a creative brand .
A Complete Timeline of Smart Models
1998: Smart City-Coupé (First Generation Fortwo, W450)
The model that started it all. The Smart City-Coupé premiered at the 1997 Frankfurt Motor Show, with production starting in July 1998 . It was tiny (just 2.5 meters long), quirky, and had a 0.6L turbocharged three-cylinder engine mounted in the rear . In 2002, it got a facelift and was renamed the Smart Fortwo .
The original had a jerky automated manual transmission and a “Tridion” safety cell that was surprisingly robust for such a small car. From 2000, a cabriolet version was also available .
2002: Smart Crossblade
This was Smart at its most daring. The Crossblade was a wild, roofless, doorless, windshield-less variant of the Fortwo . It was basically a street-legal go-kart with no roof, no doors, no side windows, and just a tiny wind deflector. Only 2,000 were made, and it remains one of the brand’s most collectible models .
2002–2005: Smart Roadster (W452)
Based on a stretched Fortwo platform, the Roadster was Smart’s take on a lightweight sports car . It came in two versions: the standard Roadster (with a removable Targa roof) and the Roadster Coupé (with a fixed roof) .
Power came from a turbocharged 0.7L three-cylinder engine, producing either 61 hp or 82 hp . It weighed just 790 kg and had Formula 1-style paddle shifters. Top Gear named it “Fun Car Of The Year” for 2005 . Despite selling over 43,000 units, production ended in November 2005 .
2004–2006: Smart Forfour (First Generation, W454)
Smart’s first four-door, four-seater was a bit of a departure. This Forfour (codenamed W454) shared its platform with the Mitsubishi Colt and had a front-engine layout—unique for Smart . It was only produced for about two years and sold primarily in Europe .
2007–2014: Smart Fortwo (Second Generation, W451)
The generation that went global. This Fortwo was bigger and more refined than its predecessor, with a 1.0L three-cylinder engine producing around 70 hp . It was also the first Fortwo officially sold in the United States (starting in 2008) . Brabus versions got a turbocharged 0.9L engine with 89 hp.
In 2009, the Micro Hybrid Drive (MHD) version added start-stop technology to improve fuel efficiency . This generation stayed in production until 2014.
2009–2016: Smart Fortwo Electric Drive (ED2 & ED3)
Smart’s electric journey began with 100 prototypes tested in London in 2007 . The first production electric Fortwo (ED2, 2009–2012) used a 16.5 kWh lithium-ion battery provided by Tesla and had a range of about 84 miles .
The third-generation ED (2013–2016) brought a more powerful motor and improved range to 87 miles . By mid-2014, combined sales of the second and third generation EVs had reached nearly 9,000 units globally .
2014–2024: Smart Fortwo (Third Generation, C453)
The most modern Fortwo was co-developed with Renault and shared its platform with the Twingo . It had a proper dual-clutch automatic transmission (finally!), a choice of 71 hp or 90 hp engines, and a much more refined interior .
This generation also saw the return of the Forfour (see below). From 2019 onward, all Fortwo models were exclusively electric—the Smart EQ Fortwo .
2014–2021: Smart Forfour (Second Generation, W453)
After an eight-year hiatus, the Forfour returned—this time sharing its platform with the Fortwo and Renault Twingo . It was a proper city car with rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout .
An electric version—the EQ Forfour—joined the lineup in 2017, featuring an 82 hp motor and a 17.6 kWh battery . Production ended in 2021 .
2017–2024: Smart EQ Fortwo & EQ Forfour
From 2017 onward, the Fortwo and Forfour were offered as pure electric vehicles under the EQ sub-brand . The EQ Fortwo had an EPA range of 58 miles and was available as both a coupe and cabriolet—making it the only electric convertible on the market at the time .
In 2019, the models received a facelift and were rebranded simply as “Smart EQ” . This was the final chapter for the classic Smart platform before the brand’s reinvention.
The New Era: Fully Electric and Premium
2019: The Geely Partnership
This was a major turning point. In 2019, Smart became a 50-50 joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Chinese automaker Geely . The brand pivoted to become a premium, all-electric, intelligent automotive brand . Development would be led by Smart’s R&D team, while Mercedes’ global design team would handle styling .
2022: Smart #1
The first product of the new era. The Smart #1 is a compact all-electric SUV with a 66 kWh battery, up to 273 miles of range, and 272 PS that can do 0-62 mph in 6.7 seconds . It’s a massive departure from the original Fortwo—bigger, more powerful, and packed with modern tech.
2023: Smart #3
Following closely behind, the #3 is a coupe-like SUV with up to 283 miles of range . It offers a sportier design while maintaining the brand’s focus on urban mobility.
2024: Smart #5
The largest Smart ever made. The #5 is a mid-size SUV measuring 4,705 mm in length with a 2,900 mm wheelbase . It’s designed for families and can handle everything from daily commutes to weekend adventures .
Timeline Visual
Smart Model Timeline
Timeline of Smart's production models and key milestones
The Complete Model Summary
| Model | Years | Generation Code | Body Style | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-Coupé/Fortwo | 1998–2007 | W450 | 2-door hatch | The original; renamed Fortwo in 2002 |
| Crossblade | 2002 | – | Open-top microcar | Only 2,000 made |
| Roadster | 2002–2005 | W452 | 2-seat sports car | 43,091 built; Top Gear’s “Fun Car of the Year” |
| Forfour | 2004–2006 | W454 | 5-door hatch | Shared platform with Mitsubishi Colt |
| Fortwo | 2007–2014 | W451 | 2-door hatch | First Fortwo sold in US (2008) |
| Fortwo Electric Drive | 2009–2016 | ED2/ED3 | 2-door hatch | Tesla batteries in early models |
| Fortwo | 2014–2024 | C453 | 2-door hatch | Co-developed with Renault; dual-clutch auto |
| Forfour | 2014–2021 | W453 | 5-door hatch | Return of the Forfour; shares Twingo platform |
| EQ Fortwo/Forfour | 2017–2024 | – | 2/5-door hatch | All-electric; only EV convertible |
| Smart #1 | 2022–present | – | Compact SUV | First Geely-era model; 273-mile range |
| Smart #3 | 2023–present | – | Coupe SUV | 283-mile range |
| Smart #5 | 2024–present | – | Mid-size SUV | Largest Smart ever made |
So, What’s Your Smart?
The brand has come a long way from that quirky 1998 City-Coupé. Whether you love the original’s charm, the Roadster’s sportiness, the Fortwo’s city practicality, or the new generation’s premium electric SUV vibe, there’s a Smart for every era.
What’s your favorite Smart model? The classic Fortwo, the wild Crossblade, or the new #1? Drop a comment below.
References
Sources and Further Reading on Smart Car Models and History:
- Wikipedia – Smart Fortwo (Comprehensive Model History & Generations)
- Wikipedia – Smart Roadster (Production Figures & Specifications)
- Wikipedia – Smart Crossblade (Limited Edition Model Details)
- Wikipedia – Smart Forfour (Both Generations Overview)
- Wikipedia – Smart (Marque History & Brand Evolution)
- Smart Official Global Website – Current Electric Vehicle Lineup (#1, #3, #5)
