Latest news with #JasonAllbutt
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Could Smart Build Another Miata Rival? This Time, It's Electric
When Smart introduced the ForTwo before the world panicked over the Y2K bug, the company realized that it had a platform for a fun sports car. A few years later, the Smart Roadster was born, based on the Fortwo platform but stretched to accommodate the sleek styling. It was meant to revive the love for open-top sports cars in the Old Continent, before bowing out in 2005 after over 43,000 units rolled off its French factory. A Smart Roadster revival would be nice, and apparently, it's entirely possible given that the brand is already preparing a successor to the ForTwo. There's one big catch, though – the Roadster will be entirely different, thanks to Smart's EV-only strategy. In an interview with Auto Express, Smart UK CEO Jason Allbutt was asked if there's a possibility of a new Smart Roadster given the Fortwo's upcoming turn. Albutt recognized the "particularly good fun" that the convertible brought to the table before, and the UK's love of coupes and top-downs. "For a country that has more rain than probably any other European market, we are lovers of coupés and roadsters. So yes, I could see a possibility for such a car in the UK," said Albutt. However, Albutt emphasized that a Roadster revival isn't being planned yet, with the company currently focusing on the Smart #5 SUV and the Smart #6 hatchback. Both vehicles are electric, which follows the brand's strategy. That said, if – and that's a huge IF – Smart proceeds with the revival of the Roadster, it will likely be battery-powered. It also needs to be lightweight and compact to match the original's driving dynamics, while also incorporating the instantaneous pull that EVs are known for. With an electric Mazda MX-5 potentially sitting alongside an ICE-powered Miata – a car like the Smart Roadster would be a worthy rival. However, Albutt also expressed his reservations about an electric roadster. Apart from the sensory open-air feeling, he cited that buyers of roadsters typically open their tops to hear the sound of the engine. Of course, this isn't possible with an electric powertrain, though speed won't be a problem given where electric powertrains are these days. "Maybe there's a new audience that would be looking at [an electric roadster] in a different way. I'm not quite sure yet as to who the buyers of that car really are. It's too early to tell right now, but we'll see." Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Auto Blog
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Smart Roadster Revival Possible, But Don't Expect Old-School Thrills
The last Smart Roadster left the factory in November 2005. Now, a revival is possible, thanks to the reincarnation of the model it's based on. Smart ForTwo Prepares for a Shocking Comeback When Smart introduced the ForTwo before the world panicked over the Y2K bug, the company realized that it had a platform for a fun sports car. A few years later, the Smart Roadster was born, based on the Fortwo platform but stretched to accommodate the sleek styling. It was meant to revive the love for open-top sports cars in the Old Continent, before bowing out in 2005 after over 43,000 units rolled off its French factory. A Smart Roadster revival would be nice, and apparently, it's entirely possible given that the brand is already preparing a successor to the ForTwo. There's one big catch, though – the Roadster will be entirely different, thanks to Smart's EV-only strategy. Source: Smart It Isn't Being Planned… Yet In an interview with Auto Express, Smart UK CEO Jason Allbutt was asked if there's a possibility of a new Smart Roadster given the Fortwo's upcoming turn. Albutt recognized the 'particularly good fun' that the convertible brought to the table before, and the UK's love of coupes and top-downs. 'For a country that has more rain than probably any other European market, we are lovers of coupés and roadsters. So yes, I could see a possibility for such a car in the UK,' said Albutt. However, Albutt emphasized that a Roadster revival isn't being planned yet, with the company currently focusing on the Smart #5 SUV and the Smart #6 hatchback. Both vehicles are electric, which follows the brand's strategy. Source: Smart Roadster Buyers Might Want Noisy Engines, Not Whiny Motors That said, if – and that's a huge IF – Smart proceeds with the revival of the Roadster, it will likely be battery-powered. It also needs to be lightweight and compact to match the original's driving dynamics, while also incorporating the instantaneous pull that EVs are known for. With an electric Mazda MX-5 potentially sitting alongside an ICE-powered Miata – a car like the Smart Roadster would be a worthy rival. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. However, Albutt also expressed his reservations about an electric roadster. Apart from the sensory open-air feeling, he cited that buyers of roadsters typically open their tops to hear the sound of the engine. Of course, this isn't possible with an electric powertrain, though speed won't be a problem given where electric powertrains are these days. 'Maybe there's a new audience that would be looking at [an electric roadster] in a different way. I'm not quite sure yet as to who the buyers of that car really are. It's too early to tell right now, but we'll see.' Source: Smart About the Author Jacob Oliva View Profile
Auto Express
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Smart Roaster set for a return, and it could look like this
Auto Express found out recently that Smart is preparing a successor for its ForTwo city car, which could leave the door open for the Smart Roadster to return. Introduced back in 2003, the tiny, lightweight two-seater was respected for its balanced mid-engined layout. One noteworthy fan was legendary Formula One car designer Gordon Murray, who used a Roadster as his daily driver. We asked Smart UK CEO Jason Allbutt about a new Roadster during an exclusive interview with Auto Express. He laughed, but seemed enthusiastic: 'We used to have one of those in the family, and [it was] particularly good fun,' he told us. Advertisement - Article continues below 'For a country that has more rain than probably any other European market, we are lovers of coupés and roadsters. So yes, I could see a possibility for such a car in the UK.' As encouraging as that is to hear, Allbutt quickly added that there are no immediate plans to revive the Roadster. The brand currently has much bigger fish to fry, starting with the launch of its biggest model yet, the all-new Smart #5 SUV, which is due to go on sale this year. Following soon after that should be a new electric family hatchback called Smart #6, which we expect to see in the coming months. Hopefully, by the time that arrives, we'll have commitment from the brand and a vision for the new ForTwo city car. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below But if the idea of making a new sports car catches on and the Roadster does make a comeback, what could we expect from a new interpretation of the original formula? Lightness and compact size would be key, and it's near-certain to be electric. Smart is committed to its vision of being an EV-only brand, but that shouldn't stop it forging ahead with plans for a new sports car. Indeed, several established names will make the switch to electric over the next two years. Most recently, we learned about the new Alpine A110 due to be unveiled in 2026, which its maker says will weigh less than 1.5 tonnes and feature innovative in-wheel motors. Advertisement - Article continues below The next-generation Porsche Boxster and Cayman will also be ditching petrol power, as will the Lotus Emira and the Mazda MX-5. Given the individual look of each of Smart's current models, it's impossible to say with any certainty what a next-gen Roadster may look like. We believe the design team would keep the original's relatively lengthy wheelbase, with the wheels pushed out to the corners, plus the cab-rearward look and long bonnet. Features such as the contrasting side blade and rollover hoop could also be carried over. But Allbutt clearly has reservations about how ready roadster buyers may be when it comes to embracing electric cars. 'I think a lot of people that drive these cars historically have been traditional car enthusiasts,' he told us. 'Part of the joy of having the roof down, in case you have less hair to be ruffled nowadays, is also to hear the sound of the engine. 'Maybe there's a new audience that would be looking at [an electric roadster] in a different way. I'm not quite sure yet as to who the buyers of that car really are. It's too early to tell right now, but we'll see.' How those other sports cars perform could influence Smart's decision to make a new Roadster. The brand is still half-owned by Mercedes, in tandem with Chinese group Geely, giving the company access to the latest technology and the ability to respond quickly to trends. Can't wait for the Smart Roaster? Auto Express Find A Car can help you find the best deals out there on used Smart models ... Find a car with the experts New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power New Peugeot 208 GTi: electric hot hatch gets stunning looks and plenty of power Hot Peugeot E-208 gets racier styling, 276bhp and does 0-62mph in just 5.7 seconds Car Deal of the Day: Kia Sportage at £255 per month can't be anything but popular Car Deal of the Day: Kia Sportage at £255 per month can't be anything but popular The Kia Sportage has earned its popularity over the years and deals like our Car Deal of the Day for June 14 won't do it any harm at all. New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai New entry-level Renault Symbioz is £3k cheaper than a Nissan Qashqai The Renault Captur has also been fitted the new full-hybrid powertrain, which gets a bigger battery for more pure-electric driving
