The all-electric Smart #2 hatchback, based on the new scalable ECA (Electric Compact Architecture) platform, is currently undergoing a global testing programme ahead of the world premiere of the production model at the Paris Motor Show in October.
The development team has been testing the compact city car’s agility at various proving grounds, with the vehicle’s dynamics assessed against urban challenges such as reacting to unexpected obstacles, making emergency lane changes, and driving in low-grip wet road conditions.
The team is using feedback from the tests for the continuous refinement of the chassis hard points, steering ratio and rack travel, and suspension movement control.
The Smart #2 carries over the distinctive form of the first Smart, with the wheels pushed to the corners to enable a turning circle of 6.95 metres kerb to kerb, helping manoeuvrability in tight city spaces. The dynamics tests also help ensure the car is predictable, responsive and agile in city driving conditions.
Another part of the physical testing programme is cabin comfort, with the car’s NVH (noise, vibration & harshness) characteristics being validated in terms of wind noise, road noise, powertrain NVH, thermal NVH, squeak and rattle, and sound quality optimisation. The tests are being conducted in environments including wind tunnels, acoustic chambers, temperature-controlled four-post rigs, proving grounds and public roads.
The engineering team has also been testing various tyre compounds on road surfaces including rough asphalt, grooved concrete, and high-speed straights, to achieve an optimal balance between low rolling resistance and noise reduction.
The Smart #2 team has also conducted durability testing over various surfaces, including bumpy roads, continuous undulations, and potholed urban streets. Targeted impact tests have simulated common scenarios in city driving, such as mounting kerbs or striking deep potholes.
