2005 smart roadster BRABUS first drive review | Is this unique roadster a future classic?
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ก.ค. 2024
- Only 20 years after its public debut, we get the smart roadster in front of the cameras and drive it for the very first time. This unique compact sports car has been turning heads for years but does the drive live up to the looks? Join us to find out.
Model featured in this video: 2005 smart roadster BRABUS in speed silver
Key stats
Engine: 698 cc 3-cylinder turbo
Power/torque: 101 hp and 95 lb ft
0 - 60 mph: 9.8 seconds
Top speed: 119 mph
Gearbox: 6-speed semi-auto
Dimensions: 3427 mm length/1615 mm width/ 1192 mm height
Find out more about servicing and parts from Mercedes-Benz Hertfordshire: www.landlautomotive.co.uk/ser...
Discover the new smart #1 SUV: www.landlautomotive.co.uk/new...
How many smart roadsters are on UK roads? www.howmanyleft.co.uk/?q=smar...
0:00 - Intro
0:55 - Origins and exterior styling
3:51 - Interior
8:52 - Driving
16:22 - Final thoughts
18:24 - Further watching
Written and presented by Ken Pearson.
Filmed by Ken Pearson and the L&L Automotive Marketing Team.
Edited by Ken Pearson.
Additional media used:
Photos from Mercedes-Benz Global Media: group-media.mercedes-benz.com/
Photos from smart UK press: smartukpress.co.uk
Image "2006 RenaultSport Clio V6 255" by The Car Spy: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Image "BMW M Coupe" by ilikewaffles11: commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... - ยานยนต์และพาหนะ
This was the golden era of smart. I have a 82hp roadster since 2013 am will never sell it 😊. Best wishes from Germany
Bought my all black Roadster Coupé (non-Brabus) in 2004 and sold it just a few months ago. I hope the current owner of LJ53 VGP is enjoying it as much as I did. Brought a smile to my face every time I drove it. A future classic for sure.
Glad you really enjoyed the Roadster. I have a 80BHP standard bright yellow Roadster and have had her for over 17 years. Doesn’t have those fragile monobloc wheels of the Brabus nor quite the same power but loads of fun all the same. A seriously underestimated car, cheap to run and maintain in the main and fantastic to drive. Though it is very hard to drive without a smile on your face 😋 😂😂. Has a bit of a cult about it and various clubs and groups to have lots of fun with it too.
Fantastic! These cars are real head turners, especially in yellow I bet! Next on my list to drive is the 80BHP version.
Defo nice car, shame about design flaws (ECU not being waterproofed), leaky roof and jumpy gear changes. Had one, had to sell it due to electrical fault, ABS and ESP fault.
What an appreciating video for this completely underestimated car!! I have also an Xclusive Coupe and a 82HP Roadster (the third red one in my profile picture left meanwhile) and still have to say that this car is sooo adicting. Also had all the Porsche's, AMG's and BMW M's before but never felt so grounded before...
Lightweight Notchback owner here. The Leakster never fails to be and enjoyable drive. Love mine.
I’m also 6ft 4in tall and the drivers seat isn’t even all the way back. Built for Germans, see.
Excellent review. Nice to see a modern dealership not afraid to give the ‘back catalogue’ a play - there’s some real gems in there to discover.
Of course if you want an even bigger, and madder, smile on your face then there’s another old smart to take for a cruise… a crossblade! I still can’t stop grinning even after 9 years😁
Old but gold - I couldn't resist the chance to get behind the wheel of this! Thankfully it met and exceeded my expectations. A crossblade makes a Murcielago seem common - I'm glad there's one in use and putting a smile on your face! I'd love to see one in the flesh someday.
@@LandLAutomotive We are friends with 5 other crossblade owners who also drive them regularly so they are around if you keep your eyes open! If you really want to see one then either chat to the right person or get yourself along to one of the public events\meetings\shows run by enthusiasts.
With fond memories of driving one back in 2006, I bought a Roadster Coupe Brabus Xclusive to sell at my company, but loved it SO much I've kept it for myself! Excellent review Ken, spot on.
Fantastic! I love the style of the roadster coupé - that'd be the one to have for me! I would love to spend some more time with the car. I hope you enjoy yours for many more miles to come and thank you for your kind words.
Hiya. I’m just down the road in Bucks. I have a roadster too and love everything about it. As a retired enthusiast, I have to admit, I’ve had time to modify it a bit but you’re review is spot on and I felt the need to say thank you. Makes nice change from reviewers that just want to highlight its shortcomings.
Thank you for watching and I'm glad you enjoyed the video! Your words are much appreciated - this one was non-scripted throughout too. I've heard that a lot more power can be extracted from the engine with a bit of tuning as well but as a standard car, it truly blew me away. I can't wait for my next drive in one but until then I'll keep my eye out for roadsters in Bucks!
@@LandLAutomotive If you’re genuinely interested in keeping the car and making the most of it, I have to tell you that ownership can be tricky with precious little information about them. I highly recommend joining on of the very enthusiastic owners club’s dotted around the country. They have a lot of very experienced owners often willing to impart their knowledge. Great for sourcing hard to find parts and techniques for tuning and maintenance. You won’t regret it.
Fair play, great review, I already wanted one, but you've added to that mix, well played
I have mine from 2004, when I ordered it to factory. Absolutely love it. Truly special car.
I have had a Brabus Roadster for the last ten years, I don't think I'll ever sell it. It's just too much fun.
I will like to buy it, if only you’re willing to sell it
Well 8 months later, it still is fun to drive and the smiles still there . Bugger got caught in a speed camera .😍
I have a 2005 roadster,I love on the island of Crete so ideal,it has disc brakes all round,boost is up to 1•5.and is 115hp,had it for 3years and no problems,every time you drive it it puts a smile on your face,and I'm 72 years old.😄😄
Πιστεύεις ότι έχει την υποδομή/χώρο για περισσότερη δύναμη ή λίγο μεγαλύτερη μηχανή?
I will like to buy it, if only you’re willing to sell it for me
I got a roadster brabus notch. Electric blue. Beautiful car. I will never sell lol. I am also from hertfordshire! Your sam unit is the upgraded version with roof opening. Nice
I'll keep my eyes out for you on the local roads! They look fabulous in blue. I only had 8 hours with this car but would love to spend some more time with it. I will own one, one day.
Great video of an iconic car that I wish had been sold in the US!
I have an 04 Brabus Roadster, have put it on the 15" wheels and it handles just as well and smooths out the handling, 50+ to the gallon, smiles all the way
The smart roadster brabus coupe was my first car. Oh how i miss it... After having owned many other sports cars i have to say, that for public roads, the smart has the most smiles per horsepower!
Well you sold this to me as an idea , had mine for a week now and yes smiles per mile , full on .
I'm still itching to have another small petrol convertible in my possession! Enjoy every mile in your roadster.
Great video! I wish the roadster had made its way to the US. I fear most of us will see it only when it reaches 25 years old, and even then, there is no guarantee it will import. And the repairs! A great car.
Thank you! It's hard to believe it'll be turning 25 in just a couple of years. Fingers crossed it will be able to be imported.
I still love these cars; especially in the red/black colour and it still looks modern
Hi , do you know if the ca had the SB2 REMAP ? which was an upgrade via MB on the service records . Thanks for the video .
Pilot Sport 4's are NOT available for the Smart Roadster. The rear tires have an uncommon 225/35 17 size. Only Hankook, Falken, Kumho and Yokohama make tires in that size. Michelin does, unfortunately, not.
Very true! If available, the Yokohama AD08R would be top of the list now - I remember they take a while to warm up but once warm the compound is like glue. The tyre size is quite hard to find fitting variants for - maybe a step up in width would help although it certainly doesn't need any more turn-in.
If you think I'm searching for a reason to spend more time with a smart roadster you'd be absolutely correct.
Great video! I agree about the “F word”. I’ve taken to calling it a “Froot” since it’s a front boot rather than the other word 😂
As almost retiring I'm just buying a coupe high line model in metallic blue it's the only sports car that reminds me of my father's Honda S800 . Honda's first sports car made in late sixties.
@Mercedes-Benz Hertfordshire I must be one of the truly lucky ones, I have had my 2004 silver Brabus Roadster Coupe from new and it only has 42k miles on it plus I have one of the very rare CROSSBLADE’s plus another 5 Smart models.
Yes for some of us it became an addiction. Best still I met my wife because of the Smart car.
Fantastic! That's quite the collection you've got there - the Crossblade is a car I have to drive one day. A passion for cars bringing people together is brilliant to hear too.
..watching this vid my imaginary tuning workshop is re-building it into SEMA beast....this toy begs for elevation into new fun & performance dimension of current standards....
Yo acabo de comprar la versión normal y aunque no sea brabus me encanta se siente tremenda mente diferente a un smart 450 aunque trae el mismo motor ... me encanta .. no creo encontrar un brabus en México...saludos ..
This is the one I like coupe with brabus motor and paddle shift
Been a fan and owner for years now looking like any other Chinese electric cars bring back the real smart car,
Came across this video by chance. It sort of made me miss my black Brabus Xclusive even with its crashy ride and temperamental drivetrain. Mine was tricked up with proper carbon interior parts, a V6 steering wheel and a mapped engine putting out 120bhp. I ran it alongside a mk1 mx5 (Eunos) which i still have and is ultimately a better car to drive.
I have always wanted a smart roadster but it is hard to get one in the US.
Out of interest, did the car sell quickly and how much did it go for, looked in very good condition, mines a little tired but runs very well, like many others I have no thought of getting rid of it.
Wait you can open the roof with your key? I have had my Roadster for over two years and never knew about that. What do you need to do for it to work?
It was a pure accident finding that out! With the car unlocked, press the unlock button again and it will drop the roof - no need to hold the unlock button as the roof lowers. I didn't try it with closing but give it a go by pressing the lock button and see if the roof will raise again.
@@LandLAutomotive Very interesting and thanks for the response! I'll give it a shot
@@TDDPhoto Early Roadsters don't have this feature.
I will like to buy it only if you’re willing to sell it for me please 🙏
Can you connect your phone to the car?
Richard Hammond reviewed the Brabus roadster
I watched that review, and Jeremy Clarkson's original review as my research for this one.
The Brabus is a decent amount of fun. But the wheels, although gorgeous, bend too easily on it holes and the brabus suspension (lowered when compared to stick car) is too hard. Non brabus smart wheels and standard suspension is a game changer. I'd probably go hard top over soft top as it's expensive to fix if things break.
But it's tremendous fun and feels quicker than it is..
Great insight there! Very handy to know. I'd love to try a non-Brabus version on the smaller wheels and feel the difference for myself. Fingers crossed we get another one coming our way!
How tall are you?
I'm 6'2" myself, there's certainly more room in the smart roadster than a first generation MX-5!
I like how you don't use the f word XD
I can’t wait for the Smart #1 268 BHP. You might like the dual motor 400 BHP Brabus version?
Me too - I'm itching to get my hands on the #1 on the road! There's a lot to come from the new model.
@@LandLAutomotive here is a Teaser for you… th-cam.com/video/ZvMfz_r-UT8/w-d-xo.html did you know that at 4:00 that’s a drinks cooler?
This is what you also can do with a Smart Roadster .
th-cam.com/video/zAJJlGxeNtk/w-d-xo.html
Have a look. it's a lot of fun to drive.
Smiles per gallon.
Oh man put an electric motor and the torque of it on this
My guy did a whole Brabus V6 review giving the inline -3 specs 😅😅😅 It's been 1 year and nobody noticed nor gave a Fk
Performance
0 - 100 kph 5.8 s
Top speed 225 kph (140 mph)
Powertrain specs
Engine type V6 Biturbo
Displacement 1.4 l (85 ci / 1396 cc)
Power 170 ps (168 bhp / 125 kw)
Torque 220 Nm (162 lb-ft)
Power / liter 122 ps (120 hp)
Transmission 6 speed manual
Layout middle engine, rear wheel drive
You don’t drive in Automatic . . . you just don’t
Such an oddly shaped head...
Thank you : )
my father wants to buy this for me on my 16th birthday
you wont regret it
How tall are you ?
I'm 6'2" myself. My head is well above the windscreen surround in a first/second generation MX-5 so it was a very pleasant surprise to fit into this.