Smart—yes, that smart, the one you used to associate with squeezing into parking spaces the size of a shoebox—has decided it’s had enough of being the cute one. It rocked up in Beijing and basically said: “We’re premium now. Deal with it.”

And leading this identity crisis—sorry, evolution—is the smart Concept 2. Think of it as the rebellious grandchild of the Smart Fortwo. Still tiny, still perfect for cities, but now it’s dressed like it’s on the cover of a fashion magazine. Matte white, gold accents, posh materials—this is less “cheap runabout” and more “designer accessory with wheels.”

Underneath, there’s a new electric platform, about 200 miles of range, and charging quick enough to grab a coffee and pretend you understand modern art before it’s ready to go again. It’s also absurdly nimble, which means threading through city traffic should feel less like driving and more like cheating.

Then there’s the smart 6 EHD. And this is where things get weird. Because smart—yes, smart—has made a big, sleek fastback saloon. For China. It looks like a shark, apparently, which is car designer language for “pointy and expensive.” It’s got space, presence, and the sort of vibe that suggests it absolutely does not want to be parked next to its tiny ancestors.

All of this is part of a bigger plan: more models, more markets (40 and counting), and a push to convince you that smart isn’t just about being small—it’s about being stylish, electric, and a bit clever.

In short: the brand that once made cars you could practically carry has now decided it wants to be taken seriously.

And oddly enough… it might just pull it off.