SMALL WONDER (some text hidden) --NONE--

BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Introductionword count: 79

How much do you need to pay to land a car that feels a little exotic? £15,000? £20,000? Actually a good deal less. The decidedly unconventional Smart Roadster and Roadster Coupe offer a hefty dose of fun and a real sense of occasion at affordable prices. Cars like the Mazda MX-5 and the MG TF have enjoyed a long spell as kings of the affordable cabrio market but these little Smarts are well worth a look second time round.

Modelsword count: 15

Models Covered: (698 cc petrol [roadster light, roadster, roadster Brabus, roadster coupe, roadster coupe Brabus])

Historyword count: 234

By the autumn of 2003, we'd already become accustomed to the sight of Smart City Coupe and Cabrio models on our roads. We'd even been treated to the bizarre Crossblade limited edition version, so the idea of a sportier Smart was already well founded when the Smart Roadster and Roadster Coupe models were launched in September of that year. Both models were powered by the same 698cc 80bhp turbocharged three-cylinder engine, the key difference being the Roadster Coupe's glazed-in rear section. Both were capable of exposing their passengers to the sun's rays but neither were notably cheap. With Roadster-Coupe prices starting at £13,495, this was the sort of money most customers were used to paying for something a good deal more, well, substantial but cannily less than the big sellers like the MX-5, the MG TF and the Peugeot 206 CC. Upspec Brabus models with engines boosted to 101bhp were launched in Spring 2004. Aware that models across the range were perceived as being a little expensive, Smart launched the Roadster Light in summer 2004, a stripped out version of the Roadster with steel wheels, no stereo or air conditioning and a generally lighter equipment list. Retailing at £11,995, this changed many opinions about the Smart's value proposition. The last Roadster models were sold by the middle of 2007 as struggling Smart reverted to what it did best with a one citycar model range.

What You Getword count: 373

The Roadster and Roadster-Coupe models differ largely in the way they lose their heads. The roadster features an electrically powered soft top along the lines of the Smart Fortwo Cabrio, although a matt hardtop can also be specified. This model has a notchback boot, in contrast to the roadster-coupe that boasts a high-gloss hardtop with a soft top as an option. It's up to you to decide which you prefer the looks of. In spite of their size, the Roadster Coupes are pretty versatile although luggage room isn't so generous in the Roadster. 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. From new, the TRIDION safety cell could be specified in either black or silver and the paintwork could be specified in either jack black, shine yellow or spice red. Optional colours included champagne remix, star blue or glance grey. The interior trim was offered in scribble black or scribble red and black leather was available if buyers had the funds. The Smart's 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 - something of a sports car designer's Holy Grail. In standard form, this car can turn out to be a little pricey - which is why the Roadster-Light entry-level car makes such a lot of sense. After all, specify the electric roof version with the paddle shift gearchange and a couple of other options and you're looking at the same money as a Mazda MX-5 or, if you can be swayed from the open roof angle, a nicely specified Mini Cooper S. This is certainly a fun little car, but for some, the novelty may wear off rather quickly. One salvation is that there will probably be a long queue of takers if and when that happens.

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