Last year Mercedes-Benz and Geely announced that they would be partnering up to build electrified vehicles under the Smart brand, and we now have a better idea of what’s in the product pipeline.

Smart has released teaser sketches of a new compact SUV, which it intends to reveal in concept form later this year, and then launch in production guise around 2023.

Details remain thin on the ground, but Auto Express speculates that the new high-rider will be somewhat longer than four metres, perhaps equalling the Mini Countryman in size. This would make it significantly bigger than the two- and four-seat city cars that Smart has produced until now.

Auto Express also spoke to Mercedes design chief Gordon Wagner, who told the publication that the reinvented Smart brand would be “cool, sexy and grown-up instead of cute and playful”.

While Mercedes will take charge of the design, the Smart SUV will be built around Geely’s new electric-focused architecture and the company is promising ‘smart’ interior packaging.

When it announced the joint venture last year, Mercedes-Benz also confirmed that the new Smart models would be built in China and that the product portfolio would be extended into the B-segment with a focus on pure premium electric and connected vehicles.

“The smart brand has a unique value and global influence, it has grown to be a leader in urban mobility,” Geely Chairman Li Shufu said.

“Geely Holding will fully support the Smart brand with its full advantages in R&D, manufacturing, supply chain and other fields into the joint venture and support its development in China and globally.

“We will work together with Mercedes-Benz to transform the smart brand into a leading player in urban premium, electric and connected vehicles to successfully develop the brand’s global potential.”

For the record, Geely also currently owns Volvo Cars and the recently launched Chinese brand Lynk & Co.