The venerable Smart Car has always been somewhat of an outsider in the automotive world, thanks to its diminutive proportions, quirky styling and unusual mechanical setup, although it has found favour with city-dwellers and car enthusiasts alike, and no Smart is more unusual than the somewhat whacky open-cabin Crossblade of 2002. Initially unveiled in 2001 at the Geneva Motor Show as a concept vehicle, the reaction to the design was such that Smart, owned by Mercedes-Benz, moved to put the Crossblade into limited production, with a total of 2,000 being produced, each individually numbered and designed as collectors items from the outset. Marketed as a vehicle “uncompromisingly designed for blue skies and high spirits” many considered the Crossblade to be the spiritual successor to the likes of the Bond Bug, Beach Buggy and Mini Moke, cars that were designed with joy and fun as their utmost priority, and practicality and driving experience as an afterthought.That said, the driving experience did receive some attention courtesy of Brabus, who tuned the 599cc three-cylinder engine to produce 70bhp, which may not sound like much, but gives the Crossblade plenty of excitement out on the road, thanks to its exposed nature and low kerb weight of only 1,600lbs.
