Like most carmakers that had initially pledged to go fully electric, Smart is renegading on that promise with the Smart #5 EHD (electric hybrid drive), its first plug-in hybrid based on the pure electric #5.
The process to turn the #5 into a hybrid sees a 1.5-litre BHE15-CFZ turbocharged four-cylinder mill – sourced from Geely – receive some updates before being paired with a 272 hp electric motor. Coincidently, that figure is also the total output of the fully electric #5. There is also a 3DHT Evo three-speed hybrid transmission in the mix.
That petrol engine is definitely one to write home about, with a record thermal efficiency of 47.26%. That translates into up to 3.75 kWh of electricity generated per litre of petrol.
Most of the figures listed for the Smart #5 EHD sound similar to the Geely Galaxy M9 and its EM-P powertrain. While the Geely has a more powerful electric motor, the engine should deliver an identical 163 HP and 255 Nm of torque.
ALSO READ: Geely’s next-gen THOR PHEV system aims its crosshairs on BYD’s DM 5.0 tech
Even the battery should be the same – a CATL-produced Aegis short blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) 41.46 kWh battery with a pure electric range of 252 km. There should be DC fast charging, allowing it to go from 10% to 80% in 20 minutes.
Smart claims a fuel consumption figure of 4.4 litres per 100km and a total range of 1,615 km, albeit on the lenient Chinese CLTC cycle.
Plenty of development focus centred on refinement. Cabin noise levels are quoted as only 30 dBA, with just an extra decibel with the engine on. Apart from refinement, the #5 EHD underwent a combined ten million kilometres of extreme testing for durability.
Mercedes-Benz engineers in Germany were roped in to fine-tune the suspension, an integral part of achieving the refinement and comfort desired.
Smart didn’t spend much on visually differentiating the electric and hybrid variants of the #5. The only way to tell them apart is by the additional flap on the rear quarter panel for the fuel filler. Even the cabin is kept identical with a 10.3-inch digital instrument cluster and dual 13-inch infotainment touchscreens for the centre and front passenger.
ALSO READ: Smart #5 previewed in Malaysia – 3 variants, up to 590 km range, Brabus gets 646 hp
