Clueless Cop Gets Smart

It's not the obvious choice of vehicle for a high-speed pursuit, but then its driver isn't your typical detective. In a match made in marketing heaven, Inspector Clouseau will drive a Smart ForTwo city car in the forthcoming remake of The Pink Panther.

Auto Express Car Reviews

08th March 2005

American actor Steve Martin has been cast as the dim-witted French policeman, a role that was originally made famous by legendary British comedian Peter Sellers. Martin will be seen behind the wheel of the tiny runaround as he tracks down the Pink Panther, a valuable diamond that has gone missing.

Smart's vice-president of marketing and sales, Anders Sundt Jensen, said: "It's not for nothing that the famous Inspector chose a Smart ForTwo as a police car. Both have strong characters and certainly stand out in a crowd." The blockbuster is due to hit UK cinema screens before the end of the year, with singer Beyonc΃© Knowles and actor Kevin Kline among the supporting cast.

News of the Smart/Pink Panther joint venture was revealed on the manufacturer's stand at last week's Geneva Motor Show, where staff from the car company dressed up as the bumbling Inspector.