The Smart #5 could be the brand's first vehicle with a plug-in hybrid version

Smart, the joint venture created by Mercedes-Benz and Geely with a 50 percent stake each and until now dedicated exclusively to the sale of electric vehicles, is considering reconsidering its initial strategy. According to a recent report, the fully electric Smart #5 SUV that is already on sale in China and should soon arrive in Europe too, could soon offer a plug-in hybrid version.

Rumours about this possibility began to surface in China recently, after images of several test prototypes leaked on social media in the country. These rumours were then fuelled shortly afterwards by statements from a spokesperson for the Smart division in Europe, who said the company saw plug-in hybrid propulsion technology as a viable option for the transition towards fully electric mobility. He added that the top priority for Smart was to meet the demands of its customers and, therefore, it could not rule out any propulsion technology solution for its vehicles in the future.

Although the specific technical specifications of this possible plug-in hybrid version of the Smart #5 are not yet known, some sources claim it could be based on Geely’s Thor Hi-X technology, developed precisely for this type of vehicle. This system, seen in the Galaxy Starship 7 EM-i launched in China in December 2024, combines a 1.5-litre petrol engine delivering 82 kW with an electric motor of 160 kW.

Plug-in hybrid technology still has its place in the market

Customers can also choose between two LFP battery packs, of 8.5 or 19.1 kWh capacity, which allow for between 55 and 120 km of fully electric driving on a single charge, under the CLTC homologation cycle. However, it should not be forgotten that the Galaxy Starship 7 and the Smart #5 use different platforms, and there are doubts about the compatibility of this technology with the latter.

Since its relaunch as a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and Geely, Smart has focused its production on fully electric vehicles. Currently, its range consists of the Smart #1 and Smart #3 models, plus the Smart #5, which for now is only sold in China. The latter is the brand’s first vehicle with fairly generous dimensions, and also the first to feature an 800V architecture in its fully electric version.