Smart Roadster
Smart Roadster
The Smart Roadster (internal: Series 452) is a two-seat roadster in the Smart brand. Smart is an automotive brand of Daimler AG, which operated at production time under the name Daimler Chrysler AG.
Development
The Smart Roadster was to be a smart typical vehicle having the characteristics compact dimension, driving fun and innovative concept. To stand out from the Smart Fortwo, the new car should be a roadster. Smart wanted to build on the classic, purist roadster of the 1950s and 1960s. Development began in the fall of 1998 under the direction of Jens Manske. In May 1999, Michael Wall, the development line. In May 2000 he Hartmut Sinkwitz followed.
A first show car was on display at the IAA 1999. It was the Roadster model variant and was built in only three months. It was the drive of the Fortwo and was roadworthy and fully functional. The idea of this first show car was so successful that it quickly passed a series production at Smart. At the Paris Motor Show 2000, a second show has been presented in the Roadster Coupe model variant. The production vehicle was unveiled in August 2002 in Berlin the public.
The launch took place on 11 April 2003 as a 60 kW variant at a base price of € 18,610 for the Roadster and € 20,240 for the Roadster Coupe. The 45 kW variant was filed on 26 May 2003 at a cheaper starting price of € 14,990. Both versions of the Smart Roadster were produced in the Smartville mentioned factory in Hambach (France). As a top versions of the Smart Roadster Brabus and Smart Roadster Coupe Brabus there from March 2004 for a base price of € 24,950 or € 26,570. This Brabus models were produced in Hambach (France ) along with a 74 kW (101 hp) uprated engine and advanced equipment.
Body
Karosserievarianten
The Roadster was offered in two versions, as a smart roadster and smart roadster - coupe as both the series designation 452 and identical dimensions.
Both models are identical except for the trunk. The Roadster has a notchback coupe, however, a fully glazed rear assembly (glass dome ), which provides additional storage space. The side windows are made of Makrolon (polycarbonate). The boot capacity increases in this variation from 86 to 189 liters. In open soft top ( soft top ), the volume reduced to 45 liters to 104 liters on the Roadster and the Roadster Coupe. Under the front hood, both versions have a second boot with 59 liters volume.
Because of the design change is subject to other differences between the two versions. Thus, the Roadster weighs 790 kg and the Roadster Coupe 810 kg ( curb weight without driver). The coupe has also reflected because of the " more closed " form a better drag coefficient of 0.38 compared to the roadster of 0.41, which has the same engine performance even at the maximum speed (Coupe 180 km / h, Roadster 175 km / h ).
Tridion safety cell and body panels
Like other models of the brand Smart called the Tridion safety cell is also the smart roadster and smart roadster - coupe the supporting base of the body. On her other body parts and units are attached. With a weight of 192 kg, and from high-strength steel alloys made , it forms a sturdy passenger compartment, providing a high level of crash safety. In the areas of the roof frame, the door sills, B- pillars and the roll bar the Tridion safety cell is visible. The fenders and doors, the bonnet and the Smart Roadster, the tailgate and the other front and rear areas consist of the so-called body panels. They are made of plastic and significantly lighter than steel and can be easily replaced. For the body panels paint in the colors " Black Jack ", "Shine Yellow", "Spice Red ", " Champagne Metallic Remix ", "Star Blue Metallic" and " Glance Grey Metallic" were offered. The Tridion safety cell was painted only in silver or black, thus forming with the different colored body panels typical of smart two-color look.
Motorization
All Roadster come with either a 45 kW (61 PS) - fitted or a 60 kW (82 PS) suprex turbo engine with intercooler. The coupe there were standard with the 60 kW ( 82 hp ) engine. From Coupe 25 pre-production models were built with the 45 kW ( 61 hp ) engine. Later they wanted to thus offer a cheaper version of the coupe, but more on that there was not more by the production halt. However, the pre-production model never officially arrived in the sale and were purchased mainly by smart employees. The exclusively appointed Brabus Roadster and coupe are powered by a 74 kW (101 hp) turbo engine. All three engines have 698 cc 3 cylinders that meet the EU4 emission standard and based on the engine block of the Smart Fortwo. The built- in rear motor drives with an automated six-speed sequential gearbox to the rear wheels. The gears are shifted either automatically or manually. This is done either a lever or shift paddles on the steering wheel when a 3 -spoke leather sports steering wheel is fitted.
* The engine designation is encrypted as follows.
Equipment
All Smart Roadster are equipped as standard with ESP with hill start assist and ABS with electronic brake force distribution and brake assist. As standard there were airbags for driver and front passenger, belt force limiters and belt tensioners with. Side airbags in the seat back could be ordered as optional equipment. For the Roadster Coupe, there was in addition the air conditioning as standard.
The list of optional equipment was extensive. Extras could individually be ordered in the following packages: Comfort Package (on-board computer, Regen-/Lichtsensor, cruise control ), safety plus package ( fog lamps, electrically adjustable and heated exterior mirrors, side airbags ), Sport Package ( 16-inch alloy wheels "spike line ", 3- spoke leather sports steering wheel with steering wheel gearshift ), Leather package (Leather sport seats, heated seats ), light package ( daytime running lights, ambient light).
The Roadster has either a hard shell roof ( hardtop ) or an electric Faltstoffverdeck ( soft top ). The hardtop is made of two halves and can be stowed in the rear trunk of the car when no soft top was installed. It is made of glass fiber reinforced polyurethane foam and weighs about 10 kilograms. The soft top time is rare in this market segment, it can be opened and closed while driving at any speed. It folds into a part of the trunk under the roll bar of the tridion cell together. The whole process takes about 10 seconds. In addition, the roof bars can be removed and stowed in the front luggage space when the roof is fully open. The roadster with the 45 kW engine was fitted with a frosted hard top, the 60 kW version with the fabric top. The Roadster Coupe got a shiny hard top as standard equipment. The frosted hardtop and the soft top, however, were offered as optional equipment.
The Smart Roadster has no spare tire and no spare wheel, but a so-called breakdown set with compressor. A breakdown spray is used to seal a puncture. A power -supplied via the cigarette lighter compressor pumps to the sealed tire.
Brabus model versions
Smart founded in 2003 together with the tuner and car manufacturer Brabus a joint venture, to produce smart - Brabus GmbH tuned models of Smart cars. The company was located at the Brabus headquarters in Bottrop and new industrial plants were built individually.
The models Brabus Roadster and Roadster Coupe Brabus are technically identical. The engine's power was increased from Brabus at 74 kW (101 hp). The two versions were, among others, in addition with a sports suspension, 17 -inch aluminum wheels, sport exhaust, special attachment parts ( front spoiler, side skirts, rear spoiler with centrally disposed dual exhaust, radiator grille ), aluminum trim and accent parts in the interior and full leather interior (seats, fittings, door panels ) equipped. Later, there was even a starter button in the shift knob. Both were only available in the finishes " Jack Black " and "Speed Silver Metallic".
From the 2005 model year there was another Brabus variant, the Brabus Xclusive model. This is actually the previous Brabus version, only with some more extras. Thus, Eyebrows and the rear center part were now painted in body color and there was a little more leather in the interior. You have up to the comfort package and the light of a nearly complete package full equipment. The base price was € 26,270 for the Roadster and € 26,570 for the Roadster Coupe. After the cessation of production, these prices were even slightly raised. With the appearance of the Brabus Xclusive classified one by the equipment was pared down the normal Brabus model down. Among other things, the sports steering wheel with integrated gearshift paddles and also the special Brabus - mounted and interior parts fell off, but which were now available as an accessory.
Special models
In the relatively short construction period of almost 2 years of Smart Roadster brings it to a number of special models. This was due in large part to the fact that at the end of production 11,000 vehicles were not sold yet and they wanted to sell off this quickly on special models. Thus, the models Pitch Black, Blue Star, Black Star and Ultimate existing vehicles who were older than 12 months.
As of 9 September 2003, there were two body styles in the Blue Wave Edition, which is painted in "Star Blue Metallic" and has some extras of the Brabus models before they are published in 2004. It was offered only in the 60 kW engine. The edition was limited to 500 vehicles. The list price for the Roadster was € 23,900 and the Roadster Coupe € 24,500.
Of 19 January to 7 May 2004 the model Affection was available only as a roadster version. It offered for the price of € 16,930 except a black interior, the 60 kW ( 82 hp ) engine, a matt hardtop instead of the canvas top and spin Line alloy wheels no special equipment, but the entire range of equipment was almost ordered.
The "successor" is the model speed Silver, which was produced from 10 May to 30 July 2004. This special model was available only as a roadster version with 60 kW ( 82 hp ) engine. It was completely in the color " Speed Silver Metallic" painted ( body panels and tridion cell ) and equipped with the fabric top, the extra gauges for boost pressure and engine temperature, and air conditioning. The price amounted to € 19,490.
From November 2004 you could buy the limited edition of 200 copies model MTV Roadster. It was only available in Germany, completely painted in black and with a CD radio and iPod ( 20GB ) together with the iPod car kit fitted. In addition to the other facilities with a sports package ( leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, 16 - inch alloy wheels), and air conditioning no extras were ordered. The MTV Roadster, there was only a roadster in the 45 kW version for the price of € 14,990.
In September 2005 came a new edition of the MTV Roadster with the same equipment as in 2004, but without the leather steering wheel with shift paddles. For this he was now also available in Austria and the price dropped to € 13,990.
Only 58 units were built by the Special Pitch Black model. The only available as a special edition roadster version was completely painted in the color " Black Jack " and equipped with the 45 kW ( 61 hp ) engine. It cost € 12,990 budget and slowly led ultimately sales of the model a.
The models Black Star and Blue Star, it was for both body versions, differing only in the painting and the light alloy wheels. They were equipped with the SB2 -performance kit from Brabus, which meant an increase in power to 66 kW (90 hp) and were well equipped for the price of € 15,990.
The Roadster Coupe Brabus Ultimate as special models was inspired by the Racing Edition for England. They differed from each other not externally (complete "Racing Red" painted tridion cell and roof rails silver), only the elaborate interiors lacked. In addition there were other extras except the SB2 -performance kit and mounting parts from Brabus for a price of € 20,990.
The last special edition is the Collector's Edition. It was presented at the Geneva Motor Show 2006. 50 copies were to be built, but there were only 20 and 10 Roadster Roadster coupe it. The technical basis was the Brabus Xclusive version. These included a fully equipped and has been finished with a matte brown paint ( " Mojave Brown" ) and a color-coordinated leather ( Nappa Cognac Brown ). The name of the special model was also found in the seat backrests and the glove compartment embroidered again.
Two special editions were published exclusively in England. The Roadster Coupe Racing was the Roadster Coupe V6 biturbo modeled prototypes. The body panels and BRABUS body components were painted in "Racing Red", the tridion cell and the roof bars deposited silver. Also in the interior parts of the cockpit were covered with Alcantara and accent parts also painted red. He had the 60 kW engine, but which could be provided without charge upon request to the SB2 -performance kit and so 66 kW (90 PS ) carried out. It 50 RHD models were built, which cost the equivalent of € 25,500. In April 2006, the final special model appeared as a farewell model for England. It was offered in two body styles with a leather interior for € 20,200 ( roadster ) or € 21,200 ( coupe ).
Roadster Coupe Brabus V6 Biturbo
The Smart Roadster Coupe Brabus V6 Biturbo was a prototype project not street legal, with which you wanted to show only the technical feasibility. Only 10 prototypes were built. They were first presented in July 2003 at the "100 Years of Solitude race ". It was a joint project of Smart, Mercedes -Benz (motor development) and Brabus. These two series motors were connected with each 698 cc, 3 cylinders and their turbochargers on a newly constructed crankcase and built into the rear of the coupe. Hence the designation V6 Biturbo is derived. This now 1396 cc engine developed 125 comprehensive kW (170 hp) at 5500 rpm and had a maximum torque of 220 Nm at 2250-4500/min. With a curb weight of 840 kg without driver which resulted in a power to weight ratio of 4.9 kg / hp, which helped the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 5.8 seconds. The top speed was 225 km / h
Since the two engines in the rear, of course, claimed more space, weighed more and produced more power, otherwise various modifications were necessary. To give the two engines place, the tank came in the front luggage compartment. The special tank from racing consisted of plastic, took 50 liters and it cost about 20,000 €. Since the serial transmission would not have withstood the higher torque, it was replaced by the new six-speed manual transmission from the ForFour CDI, which was limited and automated in 5 courses. Also the rear axle, together with the suspension had to be rebuilt. At her drum brakes were replaced by disc brakes. In this case, the ESP and ASR was thrown overboard, only the ABS remained. In a power steering, air conditioning and a radio was omitted due to space and weight reasons. Instead of the radio came a red-painted cover in which the start button was located for the engine. The most striking change in the interior were the gray suede and related verses with existing four-point harness straps shell sport seats. This provided with red stitching suede also found himself at the door panels and the instrument carrier. The accent pieces inside were to match the exterior paint in " Rosso Corse ", a Ferrari painted, varnished. Besides the silver red paint signs affixed to the front fenders black flaps and the revised rear spoiler were the most striking external changes. In the rear side windows, additional air intakes were worked that were simply glued shut in the rain. The engine had no cover, so that was guaranteed by the air inlets in the side windows, better ventilation. The rear area was delineated by a bulkhead made of carbon and a cutting disk to the interior.
Due to the high performance and the very high maintenance costs ( for an oil change, the engine had to be removed) there is only a drivable copy, which is owned by the company Brabus. Another is in the works museum in Hambach.
End of production
The Roadster models were offered from April 2003. But you could be as a result of unfavorable price policies (maximum 1 % rebate was fixed for all traders) and because the drive unit ( low power motor, gear shift with long pauses) hardly survive on the market.
There was also a Daimler Chrysler redesigned business model for the smart brand to set up this economically better. When a restructuring meets the DaimlerChrysler Board of Management decided in the spring of 2005, the cessation of production of the smart roadster at the end of 2005. On 4 November 2005, the last car rolled off the line. This model was a Roadster - Coupe Brabus Xclusive in the variant in the color " speed Silver Metallic " with the vehicle identification number WME 4523371L043091. It was directly after production, the Mercedes -Benz Classic Center in Stuttgart- Fellbach. A total of 43,000 units were produced. At the time of end of production 11,000 vehicles were not sold.
" Project Kimber "
In November 2005 it was announced that various car, design and start- up companies applied for licenses and plans for the Smart Roadster to bring out the new vehicle under another name. With the British consortium " Project Kimber " was subsequently signed a letter of intent in February 2006 to draw up a contract for the licensed production. By December 2006, a contract for the rights for the development and sale of a car based on the Smart Roadster and the associated production came about. In spring 2007, a restyled roadster should be presented at the Geneva Motor Show and the production will commence in mid-2007. Under the name of the traditional brand AC Cars he should be sold as "AC Ace" and reach a sales target of 7,000 vehicles per year. As price range were called 17500-28000 €.
The official website of " Project Kimber " is not accessible and that seems to have been closed since December 2008. It was also announced a new AC project in April 2009, suggesting that the " Project Kimber " was shelved.