Smart ROADSTER
June Neary Takes To The Lanes In Smarts Cheeky Little Roadster
Sales of roadsters and open-topped cars are down pretty much across the board. With one exception the
smart roadster. Which, given that this car will disappear from British showrooms late in 06, is rather ironic. On the other hand, perhaps that fact has something to do with the current demand for this little sportster.
A future classic? Many seem to think so. Im not quite so sure but I do think this little smart is individualistic especially in pricey BRABUS guise, which was the way I tried it. My colleagues had told me not to go this route, pointing out that for £17,000 (the asking price of this flagship model), there were plenty of more desirable rivals. However, I couldnt face the stripped-out nature of the entry-level smart roadster lite (which costs £11,995).
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And in any case, the BRABUS is the most individual version of a car thats all about individuality. Even at £17,000, it kind of makes sense to me: there is, after all, nothing else like it.
Well of course, there arent any. Yes, it would be nice to at least have enough bootspace for a couples weekend luggage (as you would in, say, a
Mazda MX-5). As it is, the couple in question would have to be on intimate terms, not only in the cockpit but in the selection of clothes they brought along for the bedroom and wherever else they were headed. But again, perhaps this is, in a funny way, an appealing concession to have to make.
Im just about young enough to remember why it might be appealing anyway. In spite of its size, the roadster manages to be pretty versatile. The passenger
seat folds flat and incorporates a cup holder on the back. Passenger or Pepsi? The choice may come down to that.
The engineers claim that cabin room for front seat occupants is better than a VW Polo. Elbowroom is the only concern with two burly adults on board, but otherwise the little
smart feels surprisingly, well, big. Theres more than a hint of old
Porsche 911 from the view ahead, the twin humps of the headlamps allowing you to position the car very accurately. The TRIDION safety cell can be specified in either black or silver and the can be specified in either jack black, shine yellow or spice red.
Optional colours include champagne remix, star blue or glance grey. The interior trim is offered in scribble black or scribble red and black leather is available on standard models if youve got the funds. In non-BRABUS guise, the smarts three-spoke wheels hint that the mid nineties never really went away, but manage to look good at the same time. They also look very large, despite being a mere 16-inches.
Put that down to the height of the car less than 48 inches. Add a set of tyres and the wheel and tyre combination approach half the height of the car which Im told is something of a sports car designers Holy Grail.
The BRABUS edition I tried was one of the recently improved ones, cars which have been improved of late with a body-coloured front and rear grille and bumper, a re-positioned starter switch integrated at gear level, leather door and cockpit trim, a new central armrest with leather trim and daytime running lights. The engine however, is unchanged, still 23% more powerful than that used in standard roadster or roadster-coupe models, with a power to weight ratio of 120bhp per tonne. Yes, the outright output is still only 101bhp but that all-important power to weight ratio in the same ballpark as cars like a
BMW 320i. An increase in torque over standard models from 110 to 130Nm has also improved in-gear acceleration times and the top speed jumps from 113 to 122mph.
Expect 60mph to arrive in a shade over nine seconds. The extra power gives the roadster and roadster coupe that extra element of satisfaction for the enthusiast driver.
Well of course in BRABUS guise at £16,995, the smart roadster doesnt represent stellar value for money on paper at least. In the metal, its unique and people are prepared to pay for that. Not everyone wants a boring MX-5 or Golf GTI after all. Anyway, as I said, smart roadster prices start from £11,995.
No roadster makes practical sense and this one in particular is especially compromised whenever it comes to considerations that involve any kind of practicality. But its great to drive, looks unique, is nicely built and is said to be a future classic. Thats a pretty enviable combination of virtues.
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