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Photo of a Smart Roadster

Smart Roadster

British roadster spirit, starting at just 790 kg.1

Researched November 1, 2026 from 29 sources

At a glance

0100200
60–101 hpPower
01020
9.8–15.5 s0–100 km/h
0100200
160–195 km/hTop speed
0150300
95–130 N·mTorque
05001,000
790–852 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.278

Engine
698cc M160 turbo inline-three; Brabus has a water-cooled intercooler12
Layout
Rear mid-engine, rear-wheel drive1
Gearbox
6-speed single-clutch automated manual; optional steering-wheel paddles1
Built at
Smartville, Hambach, France1
Units built
43,091 (August 2002–November 2005)1

The story

Smart set out to revive the British roadster with stretched Fortwo hardware and a rear-mid-mounted 698cc turbo triple. The Coupé keeps the Roadster's footprint but adds a glass rear body for more luggage.12

1999: Frankfurt debut wins production support19992000: Coupé concept gets a glass Targa roof20002002: Hambach production begins20022003: April launch, May entry model20032005: Brabus Xclusive and smoother shifts · Warranty claims end the short run20052006: 30 brown Collector's Edition cars20062012: London–Athens endurance rally victory2012 Smart City-Coupé / Fortwo: 1998–2007Smart City-Coupé / FortwoSmart Roadster concept: 1999Smart Roadster-Coupé concept: 2000Smart Roadster / Roadster-Coupé (W452): 2002–2005W452 200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones131220
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1998–2007Smart City-Coupé / Fortwo
1999Smart Roadster concept
2000Smart Roadster-Coupé concept
2002–2005Smart Roadster / Roadster-Coupé (W452)
1999Frankfurt debut wins production support
2000Coupé concept gets a glass Targa roof
2002Hambach production begins
2003April launch, May entry model
2005Brabus Xclusive and smoother shifts
2005Warranty claims end the short run
200630 brown Collector's Edition cars
2012London–Athens endurance rally victory
  1. 1999

    Frankfurt debut wins production support

    STOLA's Roadster show car wins enough support at Frankfurt to push the project toward production.13

  2. 2000

    Coupé concept gets a glass Targa roof

    The Paris show car adds a glass Targa roof and a rear body shaped like a small shooting brake.1

  3. 2002

    Hambach production begins

    Manufacturing starts in August at Smartville in Hambach, France.1

  4. 2003

    April launch, May entry model

    Roadster and Roadster Coupé sales start on April 11; the cheaper entry Roadster follows on May 26.2

  5. 2005

    Brabus Xclusive and smoother shifts

    The old Brabus specification becomes Xclusive as the regular Brabus sheds equipment; gearbox revisions reduce the lurch between shifts.24

  6. 2005

    Warranty claims end the short run

    Warranty claims help end production in November despite sales meeting expectations. Output totals 43,091 cars.15

  7. 2006

    30 brown Collector's Edition cars

    Unveiled at Geneva, the Brabus Xclusive-based Collector's Edition gets satin brown paint and brown leather; just 30 of 50 planned cars are made.1

  8. 2012

    London–Athens endurance rally victory

    Al Young and his wife Fiona win over 4,000 miles of rough terrain, beating Porsche, Jaguar and Lotus entries despite backing into a ditch.6

Every generation

  • Smart City-Coupé / Fortwo
    Smart City-Coupé / Fortwo1998–2007
  • Smart Roadster / Roadster-Coupé
    W4522002–2005

Power over the years

From 60 hp to 101 hp in 1 year.

050100150 20022004 hp 2003 · 60 hp · Entry Roadster2003 · 80 hp · Roadster / Roadster Coupé2004 · 101 hp · Brabus Roadster-Coupé 101 hp Brabus Roadster-Coupé 60 hp Entry Roadster
1278
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
200360Entry Roadster
200380Roadster / Roadster Coupé
2004101Brabus Roadster-Coupé

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Roadster / Roadster-Coupé

    Standard

    Roadster / Roadster-Coupé

    2003–2005

  • Special

    Roadster Light

    2004

    80 hp
  • Brabus

    Performance

    Brabus

    2004–2005

    101 hp
  • Brabus Xclusive

    Performance

    Brabus Xclusive

    2005

    101 hp

  • Special

    Affection

    2004

    80 hp
  • Speedsilver

    Special

    Speedsilver

    2004

    80 hp

  • Special

    Finale Edition

    2006

  • Limited

    Bluewave

    2003

    80 hp

    500 built

  • Limited

    MTV Roadster

    2004–2005

    60 hp

  • Special

    Pitchblack / Bluestar / Blackstar / Ultimate

    2006

  • Roadster-Coupé Racing (RCR)

    Limited

    Roadster-Coupé Racing (RCR)

    2005

    50 built

  • Collector's Edition

    Limited

    Collector's Edition

    2006

    100 hp

    30 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Black or silver Tridion frame shows at the roof, sills and pillars, often against contrasting body panels.2
  • Rounded, muscular fenders echo a Lotus Elise.7
  • Flat rear deck on the Roadster; a glass rear canopy marks the Roadster-Coupé.2
  • Fabric-roof cars fold the top rearward; the side roof rails also lift out.9

Year by year

  1. August–November 2003

    Sidelights moved from between the fog light and indicator to the upper outer headlight corners.4

  2. August–November 2003

    Fuel-cap Smart logo and driver's-wiper spoiler added; door seals changed at the mirror/A-pillar. Coupé carpets turned dark gray.4

  3. 2004

    The Coupé gained a standard electric soft-top. The glossy hardtop disappeared, leaving a textured replacement.4

  4. 2005 Brabus range

    Headlight surrounds and rear center panels became body-colored; Xclusive added labels below the side indicators.4

  5. Early vs. revised cars

    Mirror triangles changed from clips to visible screws, helping distinguish early hardware from revised cars.19

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Smart Roadster
    Roadster
    Photo of a Lotus Elise
    Lotus Elise

    Lotus Elise

    Similar rounded fenders; the Smart's exposed black or silver Tridion frame is the detail to look for.79

Prices

Value today $3.4K–$12.3K182526

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$100$1K$10K$100K 20052010201520202025 Value today: $3,400–$12,300 2003 · $16,914 · Germany 60 hp base (USD equiv.)2003 · $20,673 · Germany 80 hp base (USD equiv.)2003 · $28,800 · Belgium Bluewave (approx. USD)2004 · $22,000 · UK Light (approx. USD)2004 · $31,100 · UK Brabus Coupe (approx. USD)2004 · $18,600 · Germany MTV (approx. USD)2005 · $17,300 · Germany MTV (approx. USD)2006 · $16,400 · Germany Pitchblack (approx. USD)2006 · $20,100 · Germany Bluestar/Blackstar (~USD)2006 · $26,400 · Germany Ultimate (approx. USD) 2003 · $16,914 · Germany base, 2003 (USD equivalent) 2024 · $16,088 · 2006 Brabus Final Edition, 5,567 miles, Iconic Auctioneers2025 · $12,300 · 2006 RCR, ~30,332 mi (GBP converted), Trade Classics2026 · $12,000 · 2003 Coupe, 112k km, BaT2026 · $463 · 2003 Roadster 80 automatic, Spicers Auctioneers2026 · $4,810 · 2004 Roadster 80, Mathewsons2026 · $6,110 · 2006 Roadster, Mathewsons2026 · $6,923 · 2005 Roadster Brabus, Evoke Classics2026 · $4,605 · 2005 Brabus Roadster, WB & Sons2026 · $1,950 · 2006 Roadster, Mathewsons2026 · $7,794 · 2006 Roadster Brabus, WB & Sons $16.1K Iconic Auctioneers, 2024
247813151718272829
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2003Launch price$16,914Germany base, 2003 (USD equivalent)
2003Price when new$16,914Germany 60 hp base (USD equiv.)
2003Price when new$20,673Germany 80 hp base (USD equiv.)
2003Price when new$28,800Belgium Bluewave (approx. USD)
2004Price when new$22,000UK Light (approx. USD)
2004Price when new$31,100UK Brabus Coupe (approx. USD)
2004Price when new$18,600Germany MTV (approx. USD)
2005Price when new$17,300Germany MTV (approx. USD)
2006Price when new$16,400Germany Pitchblack (approx. USD)
2006Price when new$20,100Germany Bluestar/Blackstar (~USD)
2006Price when new$26,400Germany Ultimate (approx. USD)
2024Auction sale$16,0882006 Brabus Final Edition, 5,567 miles, Iconic Auctioneers
2025Auction sale$12,3002006 RCR, ~30,332 mi (GBP converted), Trade Classics
2026Auction sale$12,0002003 Coupe, 112k km, BaT
2026Auction sale$4632003 Roadster 80 automatic, Spicers Auctioneers
2026Auction sale$4,8102004 Roadster 80, Mathewsons
2026Auction sale$6,1102006 Roadster, Mathewsons
2026Auction sale$6,9232005 Roadster Brabus, Evoke Classics
2026Auction sale$4,6052005 Brabus Roadster, WB & Sons
2026Auction sale$1,9502006 Roadster, Mathewsons
2026Auction sale$7,7942006 Roadster Brabus, WB & Sons
2026Value today$3,400–$12,300

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 13 stories from its legend
    • “A rally win despite reversing into a ditch”
    • “Three Brabus Roadsters hunt a Ducati”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 4 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 29 sources
  1. Smart Roadster - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Smart Roadster – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  3. STUDIOTORINO - 010 Smart studiotorino.com
  4. Geschichte des Smart Roadster – Smart Roadster Club Schweiz smart-roadster-club.ch
  5. Smart Roadster (2003-2006): Review, Problems, Specs | DriveMag Cars drivemag.com
  6. Endurance victory for Smart Roadster | Smart Motoring smart-motoring.com
  7. Smart Roadster — Car and Driver caranddriver.com
  8. Smart Roadster-Coupe Brabus | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  9. 2004 Smart Roadster, Roadster Coupe: Smart and Smarter: We probably won’t get these fun cars,but we’ll likely get a four-door version autoweek.com
  10. Smart Roadster Coupe | evo evo.co.uk
  11. BUYING USED: Smart Roadster-Coupé (2003-’05) - CAR Magazine carmag.co.za
  12. modellhistorie roadster smart-club.de
  13. MCC Smart Roadster | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  14. Smart Roadster Brabus | evo evo.co.uk
  15. Première van de smart roadster en smart roadster-coupé bluewave edition op de IAA Speciaal model met exclusieve en sportieve uitrusting media.mercedes-benz.be
  16. Smart MTV roadster - AUTO BILD autobild.de
  17. Smart Roadster: Vier neue Sondermodelle kfz-betrieb.vogel.de
  18. 2006 Smart Brabus Roadster Coupe RCR – Trade Classics tradeclassics.com
  19. Smart Roadster kaufen: Tipps zum Kauf des Zweisitzers autozeitung.de
  20. Heritage | smart Newsroom media.smart.com
  21. My Members’ Meeting: Gordon Murray goodwood.com
  22. Film Knight And Day:Sarat Aksi Kejar-Kejaran - Otomotifnet.com otomotifnet.gridoto.com
  23. Rebuffed in Rover Bid, Project Kimber Now Eyes Smart | WardsAuto wardsauto.com
  24. smart: siamo stati al raduno mondiale a Lucerna - News - Automoto.it automoto.it
  25. 2004 SMART ROADSTER 80 AUTO | Sat 22nd & Sun 23rd June | Anglia Car Auctions angliacarauctions.co.uk
  26. 2005 SMART ROADSTER COUPE BRABUS AUTO | Sat 5th & Sun 6th April | Anglia Car Auctions angliacarauctions.co.uk
  27. 2003 Smart Roadster Coupe for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $11,000 on April 28, 2026 (Lot #239,869) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  28. Smart Roadster For Sale & Price Guide | The Classic Valuer theclassicvaluer.com
  29. Sold | 2006 Smart Brabus Roadster Final Edition theclassicvaluer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • studiotorino.com
  • smart-roadster-club.ch
  • drivemag.com
  • smart-motoring.com
  • caranddriver.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • autoweek.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • carmag.co.za
  • smart-club.de
  • media.mercedes-benz.be
  • autobild.de

Photo credits

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