Nevertheless, type is smooth this way (4,2)
I believe the answer is:
even so
'nevertheless' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'smooth this way' is the wordplay.
'smooth' becomes 'even' (similar in meaning).
'this way' becomes 'so' (I've seen this in other clues).
'even'+'so'='EVEN SO'
'type is' acts as a link.
This may not be correct. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for even so that I've seen before include "'Nevertheless (4,2)'" , "Despite that, nevertheless" , "however" , "'In spite of that (4,2)'" , "yet" .)