This is the Smart #3, and it’s hashtag frowning

This is our first look (well, first that isn’t a sketch) at the new Smart #3, an SUV-coupe that - much like the Smart #1 - looks like it’s permanently very, very cross about something.

We can only guess why: it’s Smart’s second new electric car and it should be positively delighted that its makers have avoided calling it the Smart number two. Bullet dodged by the marketing team there.

Anyway, the hashtag three has been revealed for the first time at the Shanghai motor show, ahead of its European debut in Frankfurt this September and eventual European roll-out early in 2024.

There are no performance details to dish out as the car’s still being homologated, however there is much to talk about in terms of design. Following the same philosophy as the #1, the #3 gets slimmed-down LED headlights, Smart’s ‘shark nose’ grille, a two-tone roof, pixelated taillight elements and a spoiler, among other things.

Inside there’s a 12.8in central touchscreen and a fully digital driver display, plus a 13-speaker Beats sound system and a halo roof to let in lots of natural light. If for some reason you prefer unnatural light, multi-colour ambient mood lighting is available.

That interior image above also gives us a couple of clues: the ‘B’ badge and ‘Brabus Mode’ on the screen heavily suggest/completely give away the presence of a Brabus variant or trim level, and the battery gauge on the screen suggests maximum range of 415km (258 miles). This tallies with the smaller #1, which achieves 273 miles on paper.

“We are proud to finally present our first-ever sports utility coupé, the all-new smart #3 to the world,” said Smart Europe CEO Dirk Adelmann. “As an all-electric pioneer smart is committed to uncompromising quality of experience and interactions.

“Our goal has always been to address the multifaceted and changing needs for mobility. Therefore, smart will keep on expanding its product family to offer a variety of cars that optimally suit different customer groups and lifestyles.”

Both cars sit on the Geely-derived SEA2 electric vehicle platform, although the wheelbase is longer in the #3 for improved interior space.

And get this ‘new and exciting’ colours are incoming, including an interior variant dubbed - and you should brace yourself for this - Vibrant Brown. Wow…