Smart Roadster And Roadster Coupe
Published: 29th August 2002
An Intensive Open-Air Motoring Experience
With the launch of the smart roadster and smart roadster-coupé in April 2003 the segment of the compact and purist roadster is being revived, which has not existed in this form since the 50s and 60s of the last century. With an engine output of around 60 kW and a weight of around just 790 kilogrammes, at 13.2 kilogrammes per kilowatt (9.6 kg per bhp) the smart roadster and smart roadster-coupé offer a power/weight ratio which is low compared with that of its competitors and this has a positive effect on the handling.
The dynamic, agile two-seaters from smart offer a unique driving experience where the focus is not on the destination, but on the journey there. The combination of direct handling, excellent cornering ability and a remarkable degree of comfort make it possible to experience the vehicle dynamics more intensively than in almost any other compact vehicle of this class. The smart roadster and smart roadster-coupé are equipped with ESP (electronic stability program) as standard.
With a roof system consisting of a soft top and a hardtop which can be used together or alternatively, the smart roadster and smart roadster-coupé offer their owners maximum open-air driving pleasure. As well as a two-piece removable plastic hardtop that can be stowed and transported in the rear luggage compartment, an electrically operated folding soft top is available as an option for both the smart roadster and the smart roadster-coupé. This can be fully opened and closed even when driving at top speed - a unique function in the entire competitive environment.
The launch of the smart roadster and smart roadster-coupé next year is a first decisive step towards extending the smart product range and also the brand itself. smart is being extended from a single product brand to a multi-product brand so that the brand and the product are no longer identical. Nevertheless, the features typical to smart remain clearly visible in the smart roadster and smart roadster-coupé.
The Smart Brand - Start Of The Product Offensive And Concentration On The Brand Values
The market launch of the smart roadster and smart roadster-coupé next year is a first decisive step towards extending the smart product range and this emphasises the potential of the brand. smart is being extended from a single product brand to a multi-product brand.
This important step in extending the product range is also being documented visually and in the communication. smart is moving into the future with a new company logo and the new brand slogan "open your mind.". The brand slogan applies to the customers, the products and the smart corporate philosophy. smart cars are full of ideas and offer their drivers individual solutions. Drivers of a smart see the world with their eyes wide open, they are unprejudiced and open to new experiences. Last but not least "open your mind." also embodies the spirit of the company itself.
The modified logo combines a graphic symbol with the smart lettering to create a word and pictogram logo. The pictogram is protected by copyright worldwide. The round shape of the symbol preceding the smart company name is associated with and stands for a wheel as a symbol of mobility. The orange arrow symbolises the dynamism of the brand and the products, whereas the metallic, silver-grey name lettering stands for the high quality and high technical workmanship of smart cars.
The new logo will be gradually introduced into smart's communication and corporate image, and it can already be seen on and in the smart roadster and smart roadster-coupé. The pictogram will be placed on the front lid and the lettering will be placed on the rear end of the cars. The whole logo or one of its elements can also be found on the light-alloy wheels, the window panes, the radio, the car key and the doorsill.
smart consistently implements the key brand values in all its activities: the smart roadster and smart roadster-coupé too are characterised by joie de vivre, functionality and innovation.
The first clear sign of smart brand identity is the TRIDION safety cell, with a safety concept which is not only unique in this vehicle segment. Secondly, the two material and two colour concept in connection with this, which is characterised by the visible, striking TRIDION safety cell in black or silver and the use of coloured bodypanels.
Thirdly, the modular construction which not only offers clear advantages in the production, but also benefits customers with regard to ease of maintenance.
Fourthly, the innovative design which offers an ergonomic interior with a feeling of spaciousness in a vehicle with compact dimensions. Like the smart city-coupé, the designers of the smart roadster and smart roadster-coupé have created cars with an unmistakable, dynamic and original shape.
And fifthly, the unmistakable driving pleasure and joie de vivre that are not only conveyed by the smart city-coupé, smart cabrio and smart crossblade, but even more intensively by the smart roadster and smart roadster-coupé which are designed for a different environment.
Smart Roadster And Smart Roadster-Coupé - Revival Of The Segment Of Compact And Purist Roadsters
With the launch of the smart roadster and smart roadster coupé in April 2003 the segment of the compact and purist roadster is being revived, which has not existed in this form since the 50s and 60s of the last century. The smart roadster and smart roadster-coupé are not only taking up the features of the smart brand familiar from the smart city-coupé and smart cabrio, but at the same time the main features of these classic cars. In this combination they reinterpret the segment of the purist roadster in form and design, coupled with today's demands for safety and comfort. The fuel consumption of the smart roadster and smart roadster-coupé will be less than 5.5 litres per 100 kilometres.
The dynamic, agile two-seaters offer a unique motoring experience where the focus is not purely on reaching the destination, but also on the journey there. The sporty, rear-wheel drive vehicles with the turbo engine familiar from the smart city-coupé and smart cabrio, but with more power and engine capacity, allow high lateral acceleration and therefore high cornering speeds. The combination of direct handling, excellent cornering performance and a remarkable degree of comfort make it possible to experience the road in an intensive and direct way which barely any other compact vehicle in this class is able to offer.
The short body overhangs, pronounced body-contoured wheelhouses, generously dimensioned wheels and low vehicle height give the cars a sporty appearance. The designers attached great importance to balanced proportions with an elongated front lid and a passenger compartment set a long way back. Their goal was a modern interpretation of classic roadster features. Contrasting areas at the front and rear with integrated lamp units together with a characteristic radiator grille demonstrate the development of design features specific to smart.
The steel structure visible in the door sill, B-pillar and roll bar areas signals safety awareness. The plastic panelling is a sign of robustness, suitability for everyday use, ease of repair and a lightweight construction. The design of the interior is characterised by a modular construction, the use of identical fabrics for the instrument panel and door trim and formal independence of the control elements.
The Size Concept: Compact And Fun To Drive
A size concept with the briefest dimensions and a low centre of gravity means that the smart roadster and smart roadster-coupé are not only extremely compact and fun to drive, they are also very comfortable and suitable for everyday use.
Thanks to a wheelbase of 2360 millimetres and a track width of 1357 millimetres at the front and 1392 millimetres at the rear, the roadster has the ideal prerequisites for markedly agile handling. The weight distribution to the front and rear axle is 44:56 percent.
The occupants' low seating position allows a total vehicle height of just 1192 millimetres. With a vehicle length of 3427 millimetres and a width of 1615 millimetres it was possible to realise two luggage compartments in the front end and the rear end. A capacity of 59 litres in the front and 86 or 189 litres respectively in the rear (smart roadster and smart roadster-coupé) provides sufficient stowage space for this type of vehicle.
Hard suitcases or clothes bags plus various small items can be stowed under the smart roadster's flat boot lid. The glazed rear section of the smart roadster-coupé extends the usable volume so that there is space for a suitcase, a clothes bag and a sports bag, for example. When the hardtop is taken off it can also be transported in the rear luggage compartment. The special made-to-measure luggage which is part of the smartware programme also makes optimal use of the space available.
The purist interior typical to sports cars is comparatively spacious. The feeling of space is given by strongly sloping side windows and windscreen.
The total spring travel of 125 millimetres at the front and 122 millimetres at the rear allows a high degree of ride comfort with exceptional agility - compared with the standard in this vehicle class. The axle load shift is very slight when accelerating and braking on account of the low centre of gravity, which only slightly restricts the usable spring travel.
As the passenger and vehicle centres of gravity are very low and close to each other, the driver feels the vehicle response very directly, i.e. without misleading lever force. This is why the roll angle is perceived as extremely slight when cornering.
