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Global Viewpoints
From the vertical to the horizontal
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MCC smart, designer and producer of one of the world's more attractive and functional city cars, revealed a two-seat roadster at the Frankfurt Motor Show. While the regular rear-engined smart City-Coupe's body is short and high, the 700-kg (1540-lb) roadster may be short at 3223 mm (127 in) but it certainly is not high, at a mere 1170 mm (47 in). Shown as a concept design, it features modular construction with its "TRIDION" safety cell partially visible. Body panels are made of plastic.
Like the City-Coupe, the Roadster has a three-cylinder SUPREX turbocharged engine driving through a sequential six-speed gearbox. Its center of gravity is 455 mm (17.9 in) above the road. Side air intakes ahead of the rear wheels feed air on the right side to cool the engine compartment and on the left to the charge-air cooler and engine. Some styling cues are shared with the City-Coupe but, essentially, it is a new design. Turn signal indicators are positioned in the door mirrors. A lift-out transparent plastic roof panel connects the windshield rail and the rollover bar. The panel can be stowed between the rear window and the rear-mounted 0.6-L power unit. Running gear differs from that of the City-Coupe, having at the front coil springs instead of transversely mounted plastic leaf springs. Its double wishbones are connected to MacPherson struts. At the rear, there are wishbones and a U-shaped de Dion suspension tube with movable central mount. The interior is minimalist, with the only instruments being a speedometer and rev counter. MCC has issued no performance figures.
Stuart Birch
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