The all-electric Smart brand is working on its third vehicle and a heavily camouflaged prototype has been spotted testing in China. Despite the vehicle being wrapped in camouflage, it’s clear it will have a much more upright design than Smart’s existing #1 and #3 models and instead, looks remarkably similar in its profile to the Mercedes-Benz GLB.
The vehicle is currently known as the HY11 and has been described by some Chinese media outlets as a minivan, although it looks much more like a traditional SUV in our eyes. While the #1 and #3 look quite similar to each other, Smart has gone back to the drawing board with the HY11 to create something very different.
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The front end of the upcoming Smart model stands upright and is quite tall and while the headlights have been largely hidden, we can see that they include two horizontal strips serving as the LED daytime running lights. The front overhang is also very small and the carmaker has looked to push the axles to the extremities to maximize interior space.
This prototype is wearing a set of striking silver wheels with aero caps that will probably be found on the production model and to allow a few extra miles out of its battery charge. When viewing the HY11 from the rear three-quarter angle, the similarity in its shape to the GLB immediately stands out thanks to the upright rear window, LED taillights, and short overhang.
Underpinning the new model will be Geely’s SEA architecture with Autohome reporting that it will likely have an 800-volt electrical architecture and could be unveiled as soon as the Beijing Auto Show starts in late April.
