The One and Only Smart Roadster With a Manual Gearbox – The Secret Brabus/AMG Prototype
When you think of the Smart Roadster, one thing always comes to mind:
that quirky 6-speed automated gearbox. Loved by some, criticized by many — especially for its slow, hesitant shifts. But what if there was a version of the Roadster that solved this completely?
Surprisingly, one existed.
In the final months before Smart discontinued the Roadster in 2005, a small team of engineers from Brabus and AMG created something enthusiasts have dreamed about for decades: the only Smart Roadster equipped with a real, fully-mechanical manual gearbox.
This is its story.
A Secret Engineering Project (2005)
As production of the Smart Roadster neared its end, a handful of engineers from Brabus and AMG were given a simple challenge:
“Can we build a Smart Roadster with a proper manual transmission?”
The result was a single functional prototype, built only for internal testing and evaluation.
It was never intended for sale, but it proved that the idea was technically possible.
Why was this important?
All Smart Roadsters — including the Brabus versions — were fitted with Smart’s automated manual gearbox. While mechanically simple, it was widely criticized for slow, awkward gearshifts, even when using the steering paddles.
A real manual gearbox had the potential to completely change the character of the car.
Mechanical Highlights
To create the Smart Roadster with a manual gearbox, the team had to work around the Roadster’s compact rear-engine layout.
Here’s what they did:
🔧 Custom Manual Transmission
- The gearbox was adapted from the Smart ForFour or Mitsubishi Colt — both Daimler-related models at the time.
- Fully mechanical clutch pedal and gear linkage.
- The gear linkage was designed and custom-built by AMG specifically for this prototype.
- The entire automated shifting system was removed.
This transformed the driving experience from “robotic and hesitant” to pure, lightweight, old-school fun.
🔩 Engine & Performance
- Engine: 698 cc turbocharged 3-cylinder (101 PS), same as the Roadster Brabus.
- ECU tuned specifically for manual operation.
- Weight: below 800 kg, lighter than the standard Brabus due to removed electronics.
- Drivetrain: Rear-wheel drive, just like all Roadsters — but with much sharper response.
🏁 Driving Character
Test drivers reportedly described it as:
“What the Roadster should have been from the start.”
- Immediate throttle response
- Smooth clutch control
- Fast, mechanical shifts
- More engaging than any production Roadster
This single prototype basically fixed the biggest criticism of the entire model line.
Interior: A Prototype With Special Details
Inside, the manual Roadster features unique prototype elements:
🕹️ Interior Highlights
- A real clutch pedal — something no production Roadster ever had.
- Custom Brabus gear knob, different from the factory semi-auto selector.
- Center console covered in Alcantara.
- A red “aircraft-style” switch near the shifter — believed to control test functions.
- Prototype Brabus floor mats.
- Exposed mechanical details around the linkage.
These features make it clear:
This was never meant for public sale, but as a technical demonstration vehicle.
Where Is the Manual Roadster Today?
This unique yellow Smart Roadster Brabus manual prototype is owned by:
🏢 Brabus GmbH – Heritage Collection (Bottrop, Germany)
It remains part of their internal historical fleet, preserved like a true treasure.
From time to time, it appears at:
- Smart Times events
- Brabus anniversary exhibitions
- Special Smart gatherings
When shown, it’s treated as a rare piece of engineering history — because that’s exactly what it is.
Why This Car Matters
The Smart Roadster with manual gearbox represents a fascinating “what-if” moment:
- What if Smart had launched a true manual option?
- Would the Roadster have sold better?
- Could the model line have survived?
We’ll never know — but this prototype proves that the idea was absolutely possible.
Today, it stands as one of the most legendary and mysterious one-off Smart vehicles ever built, admired by fans worldwide.
