Looking at the Smart #3 in person, you might be forgiven for thinking that it is essentially a Smart #1 with a lower roofline. After all, both the #1 and #3 are built on the same platform and share the same power outputs.

Smart Malaysia recently invited the Malaysian media to the Proton test track in Shah Alam for an exclusive first look and driving impression of the Smart #3. Two variants of the upcoming battery electric vehicle (BEV) were tested around the track – the Premium and Brabus variants.

We are only allowed to share photos of the camouflaged unit which was the Premium variant as there is an embargo. The shots of the interior and the Brabus variant are from international-spec units. The Smart #3 will be making its public debut at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024 from 22 to 26 May at MAEPS.

Take 1: #3 Brabus

As mentioned at the beginning of this quick review, the Smart #3 shares some similarities with the #1. Both crossovers are underpinned by the Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA) platform that is developed by Geely but the #3 appears lower than the #1.

We hopped into the Brabus variant first and just like the #1, the performance aesthetics are subtle with small Brabus emblems placed throughout the bottom part of the exterior. Also similar to its sibling are the performance figures with the #3 Brabus’s dual-motor (AWD) setup producing a combined 315 PS and 343 Nm.

On the high-speed section of the oval track, the Brabus is blisteringly quick and as I barreled through one of the banked turns, I felt some G-force running to my head. Glancing through the speedometer I was speeding at around 150 km/h in the bends. As we moved on to the straights, the speedometer reached 180 km/h very linearly, almost like I never felt it climbing.

Exclusive to the Brabus variant is Rocket Launch Mode which is basically launch control. Select it on the screen, put your left foot on the brake for 3 seconds, the rear of the car lowers its stance, a countdown appears, and then mash your foot on the accelerator.

Smart claims the #3 Brabus does 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and our acceleration experience felt within that claimed time. We will conduct our own century sprint once we get our hands on one for a full review to see if we can achieve a quicker time.

Also read: Review: Smart #1 Premium - EVs are boring? Not this one

But while the #3 Brabus presents blistering acceleration on the straights, around the corners, it feels heavy, almost clumsy. Perhaps it’s because of the AWD set-up as around the staggered gate course and the bends of the internal test track, the Brabus feels less like an agile sports crossover and more like a conventional SUV.

Then there are the brakes which Smart Malaysia claims to be calibrated better than the #1. Compared to the #1, one-pedal mode (or S-Pedal mode in Smart’s lingo) felt a bit more natural but after our 0-100 km/h acceleration run, we felt some awkwardness in the brake feel.

Turns out, S-Pedal mode was turned off and resumed to the default regenerative braking settings during our century sprint.

Take 2: #3 Premium

This strange braking behaviour does not only apply to the Brabus variant but also the Premium as well. Just like the #1 Premium, the #3 Premium also shares the same rear-mounted (RWD) electric motor (272 PS/343 Nm). Still, compared to the AWD Brabus, the Premium felt nimbler around the internal dynamic courses.

With only one motor running in the back and a 100 kg lighter kerb weight than the Brabus, the #3 Premium adds more joy to the drive. Frankly, I much prefer the driving experience to the literal overpowered Brabus. It’s a similar verdict I gave during the #1 Penang drive but as far as first impressions go, the lower Premium variant impressed me more.

Also read: Can the Smart #1 spark some joy in the EV landscape? We took a long drive to Penang to find out

I must admit that this was not my first time experiencing behind the wheel of the Smart #3. During the Geely Group mega test drive at Goldenport Park Circuit in Beijing, I sampled the Chinese-spec equivalents of the Premium and Brabus and felt the former to be more fun on track despite the power reduction.

The acceleration is not exactly what you might call a slouch either. It isn’t as brisk as the Brabus by a long shot but I managed to keep up with one around the high-speed oval test track. Around the banks, I managed to pull around 130 km/h while the fastest I have gotten on the straights is around 150 km/h.

In my brief drive around the test track, the Premium variant is also less stiff compared to the Brabus. Naturally, this is part of the course of a performance variant to sacrifice some levels of comfort but as a rear passenger, you might need to watch your head from the sloping roofline in either variant.

Verdict

The Premium variant offers a more sensible option in the real world compared to the Brabus. Overall, the #3 brings out a more dynamic drive compared to the #1 even though both models share a lot of things. The #3 is also a better-looking car than the #1 but I do admit that either one offers plenty of character.

The Smart #3 is more than just a similarly equipped sibling with a sloping roof, it is an enhanced improvement. I call that character development.

Smart Malaysia has opened a registration of interest (ROI) for the Smart #3 on its website ahead of its expected unveiling at Malaysia Autoshow 2024 next week.

In terms of price, we expect the #3 to be pricier than the #1. Both the #1 Premium and #1 Brabus starts from RM 219,000 and RM 249,000 respectively. Based on that, we speculate that the #3 Premium could start around RM 230k while the #3 Brabus could be around the RM 260k ballpark.