The Smart Crossblade is a limited-edition open car built by Smart in 2002. Based on the first-generation Fortwo City Cabrio, it dispensed with the roof, the doors and even the windscreen, leaving only a low body and a pair of small deflectors.
Smart Crossblade at a glance
| Maker | Smart, Hambach, France |
|---|---|
| Production | 2002 |
| Built | 2,000 |
| Based on | Smart City Cabrio (first-generation Fortwo) |
| Body | no roof, doors or windscreen |
| Weight | 740 kg |
| Engine | 599 cc turbocharged three-cylinder, Brabus-tuned |
| Power | 52 kW (71 PS) |
| Notable owner | Robbie Williams, car number 008 |
The Crossblade has no Wikipedia article of its own; it is covered in a section of the English Wikipedia article on the Smart Fortwo, which is the only source used here.
History of the Smart Crossblade
A limited-edition City Cabrio
In 2002 Smart created a version of the first-generation Fortwo without a roof, doors or a proper windscreen and called it the Crossblade. It was a limited-edition variant of the City Cabrio, the convertible form of the two-seat city car, and only 2,000 were produced. Despite the missing body parts the car weighed 740 kg, about the same as the standard Fortwo of the time. Its 599 cc three-cylinder engine was tuned by Brabus and developed 52 kW (71 PS), giving the light Crossblade lively performance for a city car.
Robbie Williams and the brand
The Crossblade found a famous owner when the singer Robbie Williams bought car number 008. After that purchase Smart began a marketing association with him, using him to promote the brand and the new Forfour. The Crossblade remained a one-off exercise: no second generation followed, and the idea of a completely open Smart was not repeated in later ranges.
Design and features
- No roof, doors or windscreen: the most extreme open body ever offered on a Smart.
- Limited production: exactly 2,000 cars, all built in 2002.
- Brabus tuning: a 599 cc turbocharged three-cylinder with 52 kW (71 PS).
- Light weight: 740 kg despite the added stiffness needed for an open body.
- Celebrity connection: car number 008 was bought by Robbie Williams.
Smart Crossblade versions
- Crossblade (2002): the standard limited-edition car, all 2,000 examples.
- Car number 008: the car bought by Robbie Williams, which started Smart’s association with him.
- Brabus engine: the tuned 599 cc unit shared with other sporting Smarts of the period.
The Crossblade was built on the Smart Fortwo City Cabrio, and its open idea was taken further in the Smart Roadster. More cars are in the Smart collection.
Sources
- Smart Fortwo, English Wikipedia: Crossblade section: production, weight, engine, Robbie Williams
