SEPTEMBER 28, 2025 (SHANGHAI) — Smart Autos unveiled its first plug-in hybrid, the #5 EHD SUV, with presales kicking off at RMB 189,900 (USD 26,200). The Mercedes-co-developed model combines Geely’s 3DHT tech with Stuttgart’s luxury DNA, aiming to dethrone Li Auto’s L6 in China’s booming premium PHEV segment.
KEY FACTS
1. Disruptive Pricing & Launch Perks
- Base variant: RMB 189,900 (USD 26,200) after RMB 3,000 deposit bonuses
- Limited offers:
- 99 yuan ($14) deposit → RMB 1,000 discount (stackable to RMB 3,000 via referrals)
- Free “Star Blue” paint + Saville Tan leather interior upgrade (worth RMB 8,000)
- Test drives: Arriving at 38 cities during China’s National Day holiday
2. Powertrain Prowess
- “Thor EHD 2.0” system:
- 1.5TD engine + 3-speed DHT = 4.4L/100km fuel use ($0.03/km)
- 1615km CLTC range (252km EV-only)—enough for 5-day commute + weekend trips
- Award-winning NVH:
- 170+ sound dampeners deliver “S-Class silence”
- Certified “engine vibration-free” by China Automotive Tech Center
3. Tech & Luxury Fusion
- Cockpit:
- Dual 13″ AMOLED screens + AMD V2000 chip (faster than Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295)
- “Leo” AI voice with ByteDance’s Doubao LLM + voice cloning
- Autonomy:
- NVIDIA Orin-X x2 + lidar + Momenta’s end-to-end ADAD model
- Design:
- Boxy “micro-G-Class” silhouette with matte grille
- 2900mm wheelbase (bigger than Tesla Model Y) + 20-speaker Sennheiser 3D audio
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Smart’s shockingly competent PHEV play proves hybrids needn’t compromise on tech or luxury.
