Driving this sexed-up version of its stunted easy-to-park relation feels a

bit like going for a ride in a toy car. A compact two-seater with turbo engine and 6-speed semi-automatic gears, the Roadster looks like a baby sports car which has come out of the wash ever-so-slightly smaller than it went in.

Manufacturers DaimlerChrysler set themselves the task of engineering an intensive open air motoring experience, and what they've ended up with is simply lots of fun even before the roof comes off, which is much the same thing.

Its tiny 698cc engine smaller than some motorbikes promised little.

But this car is so light its 80bhp moves it like a hyperactive five-year-old, reaching 62.5mph in 10.9 seconds with a top speed of 109mph.

The thrust leaves lesser motors standing at the start line, but other drivers are often so distracted by the sight of this curvy, cheeky car winking up at them they hardly have time to lift their foot off the clutch before the Roadster makes dust.

It was certainly untroubled by Swindon's Kingshill and Victoria Roads, and the drive from town out to Wootton Bassett was so much fun I had to turn back and try it again.

Its low centre of gravity helps it stick to the road when at times it feels like it would rather take off and fly about in the sky, or disappear at hyperspeed into the ether like Back to the Future.

The Roadster also features ESP (electronic stability program) as standard, which offers directional stability incorporating selective brake intervention.

Drivers can choose to operate the gears manually with the stick, with paddles attached to the steering wheel, or alternatively opt for automatic and let the car do the work.

The paddles take time to get used to, and aren't much good confronted with sharp bends or roundabouts, but on longer journeys with a bit of practice can come in handy.

Standard on the Roadster is a soft-top electric roof that slides down and stores itself at the rear of the car at the touch of a button.

Best of all, it can be activated while the car is travelling at speed. The conventional Smart car was designed with the city in mind, and they can be seen whizzing all over Paris like bugs in a hurry.

The sheer lack of size of the Smart range means nipping round the town centre is perfectly possible.

But a short ride to the shops should be enough to convince anyone that the Roadster is not going to be content with short rides to the shops. On the open road if such a thing still exists it can be let off its leash.

Frustrated growls turn to howls of delight as the car gets to show off its impressive agility. At 55 miles to the gallon, it's kinder on the environment too.

Parking is easy, as you would expect in a Smart, and much fun can be had from squeezing it into spaces no other car would dare attempt very useful in Swindon, where parking space seems to be rapidly disappearing.

But even the Smart Roadster is not without its drawbacks. While it is clearly a versatile vehicle it was not designed for motorways.

As crosswinds buffeted its lightweight frame I felt less like Batman

in his batmobile and more like Gromit in his sidecar.

It was comfortable enough for short drives but on longer ones I felt a bit confined.

The interior, a combination of silver and orange, surprisingly looked and felt cheaper than I imagined it would.

And the glove compartment was too small to store a CD case.

But then the Smart range is perhaps not designed with large men in mind. They can drive SUVs instead.

The Roadster, at £13,495 a beautifully wrapped bundle of energy, is how you might imagine the cheeky younger brother of a Lotus, attracting a lot of attention and wanting to play all the time.

For more details or to organise a tes drive, ring 0808 0008080.

By Andy Tate