2 September 2002: DaimlerChrysler has released details of the Smart Roadster which it will launch next April. It will change the whole public perception of the Smart car range.

The car, along with its roadster/coupe companion car, will be equipped with an electronic stability programme as standard.

The roof system consists of a soft top and a hardtop which can be used together or alternatively and an electrically operated folding soft top is available as an option. This can be fully opened and closed even when driving at top speed – a unique function in the entire competitive environment.

The car will have a wheelbase of 2360 millimetres and a track width of 1357 millimetres at the front and 1392 millimetres at the rear. The occupants’ low seating position allows a total vehicle height of just 1192 millimetres.

There are two luggage compartments in the front end and the rear end. 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 engine is 698cc and 3-cylinders in configuration. The car has a six-speed transmission and the roadster version can accelerate to 62mph in 10.9sec and fuel consumption is promised at around 51mpg.