Smart Roadster: Which Version to Buy and Why
The Smart Roadster was produced from 2003 to 2006 as a Roadster in a single generation. The catalogue lists five versions, although four share the exact name 0.7 DSG and therefore must be distinguished by output: 61 hp, 82 hp, and two 101 hp entries. The remaining 1.4 DSG produces 170 hp.
The Smart Roadster was produced from 2003 to 2006 as a Roadster in a single generation. The catalogue lists five versions, although four share the exact name 0.7 DSG and therefore must be distinguished by output: 61 hp, 82 hp, and two 101 hp entries. The remaining 1.4 DSG produces 170 hp. For buyers comparing Smart Roadster specs, the 82 hp 0.7 DSG offers the strongest documented balance of performance, economy, and low weight; the 61 hp version prioritizes fuel consumption; and the 170 hp 1.4 DSG is the clear performance choice.
Smart Roadster generations
The only Smart Roadster generation ran from 2003 to 2006. It used the Roadster body and contains five catalogue versions. Because the data records one generation only, there is no intergenerational change to compare and no separate restyling listed. The meaningful buying decision is therefore between the five powertrain and specification combinations within this generation.
Smart Roadster engine and specs
All five versions use Gasoline, Turbo engines mounted at the rear, Distributed injection (multi-point), a 6-speed Robotic gearbox, and RWD. Each engine has 2 valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.
| Exact version | Power | Torque | Displacement | Fuel | Cylinders | Layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 DSG — 61 hp | 61 hp (45 kW) at 5250 rpm | 95 Nm at 2000 rpm | 698 cc | Gasoline | 3 | Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Robotic | RWD |
| 0.7 DSG — 101 hp, 84 kW | 101 hp (84 kW) at 5250 rpm | 130 Nm at 2250 rpm | 698 cc | Gasoline | 3 | Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Robotic | RWD |
| 0.7 DSG — 101 hp, 74 kW | 101 hp (74 kW) at 5250 rpm | 130 Nm at 2250 rpm | 698 cc | Gasoline | 3 | Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Robotic | RWD |
| 1.4 DSG — 170 hp | 170 hp (125 kW) at 5500 rpm | 220 Nm at 2250 rpm | 1396 cc | Gasoline | 6 | V-shaped | Turbo | 6-speed Robotic | RWD |
| 0.7 DSG — 82 hp | 82 hp (60 kW) at 5250 rpm | 110 Nm at 2250 rpm | 698 cc | Gasoline | 3 | Inline | Turbo | 6-speed Robotic | RWD |
The 698 cc versions provide approximately 87 hp per litre at 61 hp, 117 hp per litre at 82 hp, and 145 hp per litre at 101 hp. The 1396 cc 1.4 DSG delivers approximately 122 hp per litre. On torque, the 82 hp 0.7 DSG gains 15 Nm over the 61 hp version, while either 101 hp 0.7 DSG adds another 20 Nm. The 1.4 DSG has 90 Nm more than the 101 hp versions and 125 Nm more than the 61 hp car.
The two 101 hp 0.7 DSG entries have the same 698 cc displacement, 130 Nm output, engine speed figures, gearbox, and drive, but their recorded power figures pair 101 hp with different metric outputs: 84 kW in one entry and 74 kW in the other. Buyers should use the accompanying performance, weight, clearance, and suspension records to distinguish them rather than relying on the shared version name alone.
Smart Roadster performance, top speed, and fuel economy
| Exact version | 0–100 km/h | Top speed | City consumption | Highway consumption | Combined consumption |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 DSG — 61 hp | 15.5 s | 160 km/h | 6.2 L/100 km | 4.1 L/100 km | 4.9 L/100 km |
| 0.7 DSG — 101 hp, 84 kW | 10.9 s | 180 km/h | 6.4 L/100 km | 4.3 L/100 km | 5.1 L/100 km |
| 0.7 DSG — 101 hp, 74 kW | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 1.4 DSG — 170 hp | 6 s | 220 km/h | not measured | not measured | not measured |
| 0.7 DSG — 82 hp | 10.9 s | 175 km/h | 6.3 L/100 km | 4.3 L/100 km | 5.1 L/100 km |
The 82 hp 0.7 DSG reaches 100 km/h 4.6 seconds sooner than the 61 hp version and raises top speed by 15 km/h. Its recorded penalty is only 0.1 L/100 km in the city, 0.2 L/100 km on the highway, and 0.2 L/100 km combined.
The 101 hp, 84 kW 0.7 DSG matches the 82 hp version’s 10.9-second acceleration figure despite carrying 25 kg more recorded kerb weight. It adds 5 km/h to top speed, while using 0.1 L/100 km more in the city. Both record 4.3 L/100 km on the highway and 5.1 L/100 km combined.
For outright performance, the 1.4 DSG is substantially ahead: its 6-second 0–100 km/h result is 4.9 seconds quicker than the documented 101 hp 0.7 DSG and 9.5 seconds quicker than the 61 hp version. Its 220 km/h top speed exceeds those versions by 40 km/h and 60 km/h respectively. Fuel consumption for the 1.4 DSG is not measured, so the data cannot support an mpg or running-cost comparison with the 698 cc cars.
Acceleration, top speed, and consumption for the 101 hp, 74 kW 0.7 DSG are also not measured. It should not be assumed to reproduce the figures of the other 101 hp entry merely because the names and headline horsepower match.
Smart Roadster dimensions, weight, and tank capacity
Overall length, width, body dimensions, and wheel sizes are not measured for every Smart Roadster version in the supplied data. Weight and ground-clearance coverage also varies by version.
| Exact version | Kerb weight | Gross weight | Ground clearance | Fuel tank | Wheel sizes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.7 DSG — 61 hp | 790 kg | 1030 kg | not measured | 35 L | not measured |
| 0.7 DSG — 101 hp, 84 kW | 815 kg | 1030 kg | not measured | 35 L | not measured |
| 0.7 DSG — 101 hp, 74 kW | not measured | not measured | 126 mm | 35 L | not measured |
| 1.4 DSG — 170 hp | 840 kg | not measured | 126 mm | 35 L | not measured |
| 0.7 DSG — 82 hp | 790 kg | not measured | 126 mm | 35 L | not measured |
Using recorded kerb weights, the 61 hp 0.7 DSG carries about 13.0 kg per horsepower. The 82 hp version improves that to about 9.6 kg per horsepower without adding kerb weight. The 101 hp, 84 kW version has about 8.1 kg per horsepower, while the 170 hp 1.4 DSG reaches about 4.9 kg per horsepower.
The 1.4 DSG weighs 50 kg more than the 61 hp and 82 hp versions but provides 109 hp more than the 61 hp car and 88 hp more than the 82 hp car. Compared with the documented 101 hp version, it is 25 kg heavier and supplies 69 hp more. These ratios reinforce its position as the performance-focused choice.
Every version has a 35 L fuel tank. Ground clearance is recorded as 126 mm for the 82 hp 0.7 DSG, the 101 hp, 74 kW 0.7 DSG, and the 1.4 DSG; it is not measured for the other two versions.
The front suspension is Independent, spring throughout. The 61 hp 0.7 DSG and 101 hp, 84 kW 0.7 DSG have Semi-independent, spring rear suspension, while the other three entries have Dependent, spring rear suspension. Every version uses Disc front brakes and Drum rear brakes.
Which Smart Roadster version should you buy?
Choose the 0.7 DSG — 61 hp if the lowest documented fuel consumption matters most. Its 4.9 L/100 km combined figure is 0.2 L/100 km lower than the documented 82 hp and 101 hp alternatives. The tradeoff is clear: 15.5 seconds to 100 km/h and a 160 km/h top speed make it the slowest measured version.
Choose the 0.7 DSG — 82 hp for the best all-round set of documented numbers. It keeps the 790 kg kerb weight of the 61 hp car, adds 21 hp and 15 Nm, cuts 4.6 seconds from the 0–100 km/h time, and raises top speed by 15 km/h. Its combined consumption rises by just 0.2 L/100 km. Among versions with complete performance, economy, and kerb-weight figures, this is the most balanced choice.
Choose the 0.7 DSG — 101 hp, 84 kW if the 180 km/h top speed matters more than minimum weight or city consumption. It has 19 hp more than the 82 hp version but records the same 10.9-second 0–100 km/h time, weighs 25 kg more, and uses an additional 0.1 L/100 km in the city. Its strongest measurable advantage over the 82 hp car is therefore the extra 5 km/h of top speed.
Approach the 0.7 DSG — 101 hp, 74 kW as a specification-dependent choice. Its 130 Nm output is 20 Nm above the 82 hp version, but acceleration, top speed, consumption, kerb weight, and gross weight are not measured. Without those figures, the data does not justify treating it as equivalent to the other 101 hp version.
Choose the 1.4 DSG — 170 hp when performance is the priority. It has the highest power and torque, the quickest measured acceleration, the highest top speed, and the best calculated weight-per-horsepower figure. Its 840 kg kerb weight is also the highest measured value, and its fuel consumption and gross weight are not measured. No price or Smart Roadster-for-sale data is provided, so the extra purchase cost—and whether the additional performance is worth it—cannot be quantified here.