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.

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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.