Last Chance To Buy
by David Finlay (13 Sep 05)

It seems strange to be writing about the roadster several months after its death knell was sounded as part of DaimlerChrysler's €1.2 billion revitalisation programme of the smart brand, but the explanation is simple. The roadster has sold reasonably well in these parts, and smart's UK arm has ordered a new batch to keep it on the market for one final year.

About 15% of the 2006 roadsters will be of the Brabus persuasion, as tested here. My opinions of the original roadster Brabus - not all of which, I have to admit, were well received by people who had actually bought the thing - were explained in a previous test. Much the same applies to the 2006 model-year version, since the few changes involved are almost entirely cosmetic.

Those wise in the ways of smart roadsters will recognise the final cars from the outside through the fact that the front and rear grilles are painted in the same colour as the rest of the body (rather than black or grey as before). They will also spot that it has daytime running lights, as previously found on the fortwo Brabus. They could also look at the number plates, of course, but any fool could do that.

The interior alterations are similarly subtle, and consist of a newly black, leather, Brabus-branded starter button and leather trim on the foldable centre armrest.

More . . .

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