Right from the word go, SMART utilised a philosophy of: “Reduce to the Max”. They stuck to this concept as they developed a new model – a super-compact, practical, efficient yet genuine sportscar.
The SMART Roadster and Roadster Coupé was introduced in 2003, based on an extended version of the Fortwo platform – the well-known city car which we’ve all grown accustomed to seeing on our roads. You know; the one that looks as if it’s ready to topple over at any given moment. But the new model was to be different, offering two versions both of which would be low and sleek in their attempt to be the modern incarnation of the traditional small British sportscar such as the Austin Healey Sprite or Triumph Spitfire. The SMART Roadster and Roadster Coupé were largely identical except for the Coupé having a glass targa roof and not least an extended rear glass canopy lending it an almost shooting brake like silhouette – only much smaller of course.
The engine in the Roadster was either a 61hp or 82hp version of the turbocharged 0.7-litre 3-cylinder engine which Mercedes-Benz had constructed for the original SMART. The Roadster Coupé was only available with the more powerful version of the two. Traction on the driving rear wheels was excellent thanks to the weight distribution of the rear-mounted engine. A steering wheel with Formula 1 inspired paddle shifters for the 6-speed semiautomatic transmission was optional. And wrap all that up with a featherweight 790kg and new SMART was meant to deliver the feel of a pure sportscar only at a fraction of the price and with excellent fuel economy to boot.
In case that wasn’t enough for you, there was always the Brabus version of both the Roadster and the Roadster Coupé. The small 3-cylinder engine now exceeded 100hp and you also got a twin sports exhaust, lowered and stiffened suspension and of course bigger alloys complimented by a Brabus bodykit.
Granted, the SMART Roadster and Roadster Coupé are of course still a tad too new for all of us here at ViaRETRO. But time flies and before you know it, they’ll be fully-fledged youngtimers receiving admiring glances from classic car enthusiasts. Already now, I must admit that I see very few other cars which are quite as strong candidates for classic car approval.
For a sportscar, they’re of course not really all that fast: The sprint to 100 km/h takes about 10 seconds and it’ll continue to a topspeed of approximately 160 km/h. But that just means that you can actually use all that the SMART has to offer, wring its neck and have fun throwing it down some twisty – but public – back lane. You can’t do that with the expensive and exotic modern day sportscars – at least not legally!
Just the other day, I saw a SMART Roadster on the motorway. It truly is diminutive, but then again, that’s precisely what a sportscar should be. Small, focused and with zero excess fat. The design is different than anything else and I was impressed with how it still looked interesting and sharp – even 17 years after its introduction.
SMART ceased production of their evocative little city sportscar towards the end of 2005 when they were forced to halt production due to warranty claims. Sales figures had been good but the cost of these warranties prevented SMART from starting up the production line again. As a result, only 43,091 SMART Roadsters and Roadster Coupés were manufactured.
A daring and funky design, rear wheel drive, a small turbocharged engine which is very fuel efficient, low weight and a limited production run are just some of the factors which will help the SMART Roadster and Roadster Coupé rise within the classic car market. It’s certainly not there yet, but surely it won’t take long.
Prices are still low, so perhaps now is the perfect time to find a clean and unmolested example and stash it away for better times?
