Iconic compact convertible hinted at return after 20 years away – and could compete with the Mazda MX-5

The Irish Sun

7 days ago

AN ICONIC convertible could be returning to the road - some 20 years after it was discontinued.
Better yet, the compact roadster might produce some fair competition for the world's most popular little convertible, the Mazda MX-5.
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Smart's iconic Roadster could return, 20 years after its discontinuation, to take on the Mazda MX-5
Credit: Getty
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The compact convertible was once championed by F1 legend Gordon Murray
Credit: Getty
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Over 43,000 units of the Roadster were produced between 2003 and 2005
Credit: AFP
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The brand is currently focussed on two models set for release in the near future
Credit: Alamy
According to Auto Express, Smart has left the door open for the return of the Smart Roadster - with the brand preparing a successor for its famous ForTwo city car.
Indeed, back in March, we reported on how the much-loved ForTwo - the quintessential 'park anywhere' city car of the noughties -
That could spell good
news
for the Roadster model too, a two-door, two-seater convertible that was Smart's sports car offering at the time.
Introduced back in 2003, it was widely respected for its balanced mid-engined layout - with iconic F1 designer Gordon Murray a famous fan who used the Roadster as his daily driver.
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The model was ultimately discontinued in November 2005, with just over 43,000 units produced.
In a recent interview, Smart UK CEO Jason Allbutt talked fondly about the Roadster, saying: 'We used to have one of those in the family, and [it was] particularly good fun.
'For a country that has more rain than probably any other European market, we are lovers of coupés and roadsters.
'So yes, I could see a possibility for such a car in the UK.'
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Allbutt did however reiterate that nothing is concrete and that the brand currently focussed on the launch of its biggest model yet - the all-new Smart #5 SUV - with an electric family hatchback called Smart #6 to follow.
ELECTRIC FEEL
As the industry continues to transition into electric
power
, several marques are lining up all-electric sports cars to replace their ICE counterparts.
New Nissan Leaf tested - it's bigger, better and goes further
An electric version of the universally acclaimed Alpine A110 is already in the pipeline, while Porsche is rumoured to be lining up some kind of Boxster/Cayman EV.
Meanwhile, Lotus are waiting for battery tech to catch up - especially in terms of weight - before drawing up an exciting electric sequel to the Elise.
Even the aforementioned MX-5 is being earmarked for an electric replacement in the coming years.
But according to Auto Express, Allbutt appears to have reservations about whether petrolheads are ready to embrace electric convertibles.
Smart Roadster history
First introduced in 2002
43,091 produced between August 2002 and November 2005
Produced in Hambach, France
Created following Smart's "reduce to the max" philosophy
Coupe and Roadster introduced in 2002 were designed to be reminiscent of classic British roadsters like the Triumph Spitfire and MG B
Roadster was powered by a 45 or 60kW version of the turbocharged 698cc 3-cylinder Suprex engine in the rear
Roadster Coupe had the more powerful 60kW option only
Car weighed as little as 790kg - creating the emotion of driving a sports car at an affordable cost
Awarded Fun Car Of The Year by Top Gear in 2005
He said: 'I think a lot of people that drive these cars historically have been traditional car enthusiasts.
'Part of the joy of having the roof down, in case you have less
hair
to be ruffled nowadays, is also to hear the sound of the engine.
'Maybe there's a new audience that would be looking at [an electric roadster] in a different way. I'm not quite sure yet as to who the buyers of that car really are.
'It's too early to tell right now, but we'll see.'
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Smart Roadsters were designed to give drivers the feel of a sports car but at an affordable price
Credit: Getty
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It is thought a new Smart Roadster could compete with the popular Mazda MX-5
Credit: Getty