“The smart is one of the greenest cars you can buy, but Mercedes recently unveiled a trio of even more economical models: a battery-electric prototype, a new diesel and a petrol version that switches off below 5mph.”

This was the sub-head of a very positive article in the Daily Telegraph motoring section on Saturday 5 July about the newest “eco” additions to the smart range. The journalist reviewed each model separately:

smart mhd

“What the mhd does is turn off the engine when your speed drops below 5mph – rolling to a stop at traffic lights, for example – then start it again as soon as you take your foot off the brake pedal. Imagine if every engine in every car in every town behaved in this way. What would it do for fuel consumption? What would it do for particulate emissions? How much sweeter the air, how much quieter the walk?”

smart cdi
“With diesel currently at 132p per litre, there is something of a smile to be had out of pootling around town at 80mpg plus, never mind raising two fingers to the Treasury and the oil companies.”

smart ed
“Initial acceleration is scorching.”
“In its natural urban environment, the electric smart is a hoot. The limited top speed is never a problem and there’s enough instant surge to go for gaps in the traffic. It’s also reassuring that the smart has a four-star crash safety rating.”

For even more about the smart in the Telegraph, follow this link to their environmental feature Smart ed - the future of eco-friendly cars?

The bright yellow smart, as seen in Chat Magazine’s Yellow Trend for summer feature.

Steve drove the smart ed at the recent Brooklands Motoring Festival which took place at Mercedes-Benz World. He took the opportunity during one of the breaks over the weekend to drive one of the smart electric cars which were being used by the event marshals. Steve was surprised by its refinement and practicality.

“It’s very positive. The car is smooth and refine; it also feels quick stepping off from rest and is more stable than the original (courtesy of the low-mounted battery).

“Charge lasts 75 miles in you drive it sensibly and you can re-charge from 30 percent to 80 percent in a couple of hours from an ordinary plug. A full re-charge costs under three quid. Oh yes, and it was fun to drive. The arguments in favour of cars like this are sharpening up all the time.”

Count down to the motor show…

14 days to go to the motor show where the smart ED will be in the spotlight. With its new outline, this ground breaking eco car looks set to be the shape of the future! It’s appearance at the show comes on the back of some rave reviews including Vicki Butler Henderson at the Times who said:

“Motorists will soon be able to buy an all-electric vehicle that promises to end the tyranny of rising fuel prices while offering the style and safety of a conventional car”.

The article says that while the smart ed is by no means the first electric vehicle to hit British roads, it is a fully fledged car and has the same comfort and safety levels as a conventional petrol-powered smart fortwo. It talks about the running costs – “you’ll get 50miles of motoring for every £1 of electricity you put into the battery, which works out at the equivalent of 300 mpg”.

The article speculates about on-sale dates and price, neither of which can be confirmed, as smart in the UK are running a market trial with corporate customers.

“Without exception, existing all-electric vehicles to date have made you suffer for your conscience. And none satisfies the rigorous safety standards that global car manufacturers design their products to. The smart ed could be about to change all that.”

On the back of the latest high profile customer, The Metropolitan Police, taking delivery of their smart ed, the Sunday Times reviewed the fully electric version of the iconic car in the In Gear section on 22 June.

The Telegraph also reviewed the greenest smart cars recently.

The new electric car, the smart ED was also reviewed in the Mirror recently.

smart is helping the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) cut carbon emissions in London as they take part in the market trial of the fully electric, smart ed (electric drive).

Four versions of the iconic, low emission, two-seater car will be used in congested urban areas for routine police operations. Two of the cars have Metropolitan Police livery and will be deployed in Central London and at Heathrow Airport.

The smart ed is powered solely by electricity and is charged using a standard three-pin plug. The car emits no carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons or particulate matter. It is incredibly economical and can achieve the equivalent of around 300 miles per gallon.

Stuart Middleton, Director of Transport Services, Metropolitan Police Service, said: “The public might be surprised to see smart ‘police’ cars on the streets of London but we’re very excited about taking part in this market trial. Policing a city like London brings its own particular challenges and we’re always keen to try out new innovations and ideas. The smart ed enables us to have a police presence in very congested areas.

Dermot Kelly, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars, commented: “This smart ed market trial is an important part of our commitment to sustainable mobility. It’s positive news that a very visible organisation like the Metropolitan Police understands the benefits of the car and we’ll be working closely with them to gather data about the cars’ performance in everyday life.”

The smart ed has a top speed of 60 mph and has a range of up to 70 miles in between charges. The car has all the safety equipment that customers expect: ABS, ESP, passenger and driver airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners.

The smart fortwo may not be known for being big, but an event at Mercedes-Benz World proved any doubters wrong after 13 adults got in the car.
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the smart, visitors to Brooklands for the smart Destination event had the chance to cram into the car.
Drivers and passengers of 1,200 smarts attending the event were invited to see how many people could fit into the car.
A group calling themselves the ’smart car-tortionists’ were able to fit into the vehicle despite the fact that it measures just 2.7 metres long by 1.6 metres wide.
One of the gymnasts, Iona Luvsandorj, who has appeared on the Britain’s Got Talent TV series, said the group exceeded the crowd’s expectations by cramming 13 people into the car.
“The interior of the smart is tardis-like,” she explained.
The event celebrated the smart and followed the news that the smart cdi diesel model will be coming to the UK.
British drivers will be able to get their hands on the new model in February when it is produced in right-hand drive.
It is bigger than you think, and safer visit: thetruthaboutsmart.co.uk

Mercedes-Benz is planning to have a range of cars running on alternative fuels within the next seven years.

Reports in The Sun revealed that the automaker has already begun spending on in its sustainable mobility programme with more investment to come by 2014.

Work on the new models could begin as early as the end of the year, with an increasing number of hybrids and electric cars being developed.

Mercedes-Benz has already announced the introduction of a new range of A-Class and B-Class models which are even more environmentally friendly.

One of the models being introduced later this year is the B 170 NGT, which is part of the new generation of BlueEFFICIENCY models.

Running on both natural gas and petrol, the new vehicle allows drivers to opt for a more sustainable choice of car.

In addition, the automaker has announced that the smart fortwo cdi diesel model will also be coming to the UK next year.

Read about our innovation history and future vision.

Mercedes-Benz is set to bring an electric car to the market as early as 2010, according to the firm’s chief executive.

Reports from Reuters revealed that Dr Dieter Zetsche told a German newspaper that a Mercedes-Benz model will be released in 2010 to compliment the electric smart car.

"We plan an electric Smart for 2010 and for the same year a Mercedes (electric) model as well," he told Frankfurter Allgemeine.

The new model would bring an electric Mercedes-Benz to the market in just two years and Dr Zetsche said it was unclear whether customers would buy the batteries from Mercedes-Benz or lease them out.

He also revealed that a small number of fuel cell vehicles would also come into the market in 2010.

A fleet of electric smart cars is currently being tested throughout the UK.

The new smart diesel model will enter right-hand drive manufacturing next February, meaning British drivers will be able to get their hands on the world’s most eco-friendly vehicle.

Using only 85.6mpg, the new smart can travel 670 miles on a tank, the equivalent of Dover to Prague.

It also releases the lowest CO2 emissions of any vehicle currently in production at just 88g/km.

Dermot Kelly, managing director of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: "The cdi gives customers the whole range of smart benefits when driving in and around the city, with the added bonus of low cost, long distance motoring.

"Our retailers are reporting heightened interest in the iconic two-seater; registrations are buoyant and we think the addition of the smart cdi to the range early next year will give added momentum," he added.

Drivers can get 45hp from the three-cylinder engine and the model will be available as a coupe and a cabrio.

Mercedes-Benz’ development of sustainable motoring is being shown through the commitment in constructing new emission friendly technologies, including smart cdi technology and BlueTEC engines.

The "Road to the Future" policy has seen the firm develop the DIESOTTO engine as well as the F 700 research vehicle and BlueTEC hybrid technologies could be a fuel saver of the future.

Clean diesel engines can represent the greatest fuel-saving technologies across a range of vehicles and the success of the E 320 BlueTEC in America has shown its potential.

In addition the firm is also leading the field in the development of fuel cell technologies, including the future production of the B-Class F-Cell which will feature fuel cell drive.

As consumers demand fuel efficiency and greener cars, Mercedes-Benz is also developing lithium-ion batteries to be used in battery powered and fuel cell vehicles.

In engines that you can buy today, Mercedes-Benz is offering CDI diesel engines that can be found in the new smart fortwo.

Drivers are able to travel from London to Edinburgh on a single tank of fuel in the new fortwo.

In addition, the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and B-Class are using stop-start technology which allows drivers to use less fuel when driving through city traffic.