Smart ForTwo - The world's most efficient diesel production car
Submitted by smart on 8 June, 2009 - 18:04
The UK’s first diesel smart is the world’s most efficient production car and sets the benchmark for low emissions and pocket-pleasing economy. Emitting just 88g/km of CO2, the new model is road tax exempt and returns a staggering 85.6 miles per gallon on the combined fuel cycle.
The combination of lightweight materials, small wheels and a turbocharged 45bhp engine offers impressive acceleration to get away from the lights and plenty of grunt for longer journeys. A new five-speed, semi-automatic transmission allows drivers to switch between fully automatic and manual modes according to their mood and the traffic situation.
Congestion-busting
If more people drove smart, there would be a reduction in traffic congestion, which has been proved in a report by independent consultants.
Comprehensive field tests on traffic congestion, showed that three Smart ForTwos can pass through a set of traffic lights in the same time as two average sized cars. In the same way as rush hour traffic levels reduce during school holidays, a similar effect could be obtained through the year if there was a significant increase in the proportion of smarts on the road.
The resulting report by Capita Symonds has been sent to City Hall. The ‘Way To Go’ document is a precursor to the Mayor’s Transport Strategy and discusses a variety of transport issues, including how congestion could be reduced to improve the free flow of traffic in the Capital.
Smart was the only car brand widely available that met the criteria of being short in length, with a small engine, and sufficiently comfortable to be a credible vehicle for company fleets or commuters.
The average car occupancy for journeys to work in the UK is 1.2 persons* and most commuters carry only minimal luggage. In cars with four seats this means that half the vehicle on commuter journeys is ‘dead space’. With more households owning more than one car, it makes sense for one of these cars to have two seats rather than four.
Peter Mynors, FICE FIHT, Consultant with the Transport Planning Department of Capita Symonds
We’ve suggested to the Mayor that he could improve traffic congestion in London by encouraging the use of space-efficient cars, like the smart fortwo. The fortwo’s exceptional fuel economy, reduced CO2 emissions and the fact you can park two smarts in the space of one regular car, can only be positive news for the Capital.
Dermot Kelly, Managing Director Mercedes-Benz UK
The latest smarts are far more accommodating than ever before too, with a larger boot and more room inside the cabin. Passengers can also enjoy comfier seats, upgraded trim and a revised dashboard layout with a more efficient ventilation system.
Prices for the new smart fortwo cdi start from £8,971.91 on-the-road and the car is available through the Mercedes-Benz retail network.
Electric Smart
As a trendsetter we have to live up to the standards we set... From April 2010, 100 drivers in London, the South East and West Midlands will be selected to take delivery of the latest-generation smart fortwo electric drive, and from 2012 the dream of motoring with no local emissions will become a reality for everyone.
Dermot Kelly, Managing Director Mercedes-Benz
Related Items:
