The Smart Roadster is a two-seat sports car that Smart built in Hambach, France, from 2002 to 2005. It used the running gear of the Fortwo in a much lower, longer body, with a turbocharged three-cylinder engine behind the seats and a removable Targa roof.
Smart Roadster at a glance
| Maker | Smart GmbH, Hambach, France |
|---|---|
| Production | 2002–2005 |
| Built | about 43,091 |
| Class | S-segment two-seater |
| Layout | rear engine, rear-wheel drive |
| Length | 3,427 mm |
| Engine | 698 cc turbocharged three-cylinder (Suprex) |
| Power | 45 kW (61 PS) or 60 kW (82 PS); 74 kW (101 PS) Brabus |
| Gearbox | six-speed automated manual |
| Weight | 790 kg (Roadster), 810 kg (Coupé) |
| Top speed | 175 km/h (Roadster), 180 km/h (Coupé) |
| Boot | 86 litres (Roadster), 189 litres (Coupé) |
History of the Smart Roadster
Development
Work on the Roadster began in autumn 1998, when Smart’s design and engineering team under Jens Manske started to sketch future models. The powertrain of the City-Coupé — a compact turbo engine driving the rear wheels through a six-speed automated manual gearbox — suited a small sports car, and the project followed Smart’s ‘reduce to the max’ philosophy. Michael Mauer took over design in May 1999 and pushed for a show car for the Frankfurt motor show that year; the full-size model was built by Stola in Italy in about three months. The concept was well received and convinced management to put the car into production. A coupé version was shown as a concept at the Paris Motor Show in 2000, with a glass Targa roof and a rear structure like a small shooting brake. Hartmut Sinkwitz succeeded Mauer in May 2000 and brought the design to production.
Launch and production
The production Roadster was presented in Berlin in August 2002. It went on sale on 11 April 2003 in the 60 kW version, at a base price of €18,610 for the Roadster and €20,240 for the Roadster Coupé. The cheaper 45 kW version followed on 26 May 2003 from €14,990. Both were built at the Smartville factory in Hambach, and about 43,091 cars were made before production ended in November 2005. The last Roadster built is kept in the Mercedes-Benz Museum.
Body and engineering
The Roadster and Roadster Coupé shared the 452 build series and the same dimensions, differing from the doors back: the Roadster had a notchback tail, the Coupé a fully glazed rear section that raised boot space from 86 to 189 litres. Both had a second luggage compartment of 59 litres under the front bonnet, and both could be ordered with a removable Targa roof or an electric soft top. The Tridion safety cell weighed 192 kg and was made of high-strength steel, with plastic body panels in colours such as Jack Black, Shine Yellow and Spice Red. The 698 cc three-cylinder Suprex engine was a development of the Fortwo unit and came in 45 kW (61 PS) and 60 kW (82 PS) forms; the Coupé was normally sold only with the more powerful engine, although 25 pre-production cars received the 45 kW unit. A six-speed automated manual gearbox with optional paddle shifters was standard, and the Roadster weighed as little as 790 kg.
Brabus versions
From March 2004 Smart offered the Roadster Brabus and Roadster Coupé Brabus at €24,950 and €26,570. Their engine produced 74 kW (101 PS), and the cars came with a twin sports exhaust, lowered suspension, polished six-spoke 17-inch Monoblock VI wheels with 205/40 tyres at the front and 225/35 at the rear, a front spoiler, side skirts and a special radiator grille. The Xclusive interior included a leather-trimmed dashboard.
Design and features
- Low weight: from 790 kg, with a plastic-panelled body over a 192 kg steel safety cell.
- Mid-mounted turbo engine: a 698 cc three-cylinder behind the seats in 61, 82 or 101 PS form.
- Two boots: 59 litres at the front and 86 or 189 litres at the rear.
- Open-air options: a removable Targa roof or an electric soft top.
- Sharp steering: a turning circle and dimensions close to the Fortwo’s, in a much lower car.
Smart Roadster versions
- Roadster 45 kW: the cheaper 61 PS version added in May 2003.
- Roadster 60 kW: the original 82 PS model from April 2003.
- Roadster Coupé: the glazed fastback with a larger boot.
- Roadster Brabus: the 101 PS version with 17-inch wheels and a sports exhaust.
- Roadster Coupé Brabus: the same tuning applied to the Coupé.
The Roadster used the engine and gearbox of the Smart Fortwo and sat alongside the four-seat Smart Forfour. The open Smart Crossblade was a different take on the same idea. More cars are in the Smart collection.
Sources
- Smart Roadster, English Wikipedia: development, production, body, Brabus
- Smart Roadster, German Wikipedia: prices, dates, dimensions, body variants
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