A relay race between drivers of smart fortwo vehicles has reached the UK leg of its tour.

Drivers are taking the little cars across 10,000 km and have so far been through Italy, France, Spain, Croatia and Portugal.

The tour arrived in Bristol and will take in all of the UK’s biggest cities, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast and Newcastle.

After the European leg, the tour heads into Mexico before moving to the US, Canada, Japan and Africa making it a truly global route.

The race aims to transfer a torch from car to car in order to highlight that smart people drive safely, carpages.co.uk reports.

It is hoping to encourage people to avoid drink driving and to drive with respect and care in regard to speed limits.

The new smart fortwo is packed with a number of safety features to ensure that drivers remain safe.

Hydraulic brake assist technology initiates a controlled emergency brake while accelerations skid control stops the rear wheel from spinning by transferring the tractive power to the corresponding wheel.

Good things come in smart packages at thesmart.co.uk

A new version of the smart fortwo, which brings some new additions to the basis of the older model, has been launched and will go on sale on September 1st.

The limited two brings additional equipment and a unique paint finish for the most stylish and luxurious smart experience yet.

The paint appears to change to different shades depending on the light, giving it an air of exclusive style.

Finished in light blue metallic paint, different lighting sees it appear in silver and beige tones.

Fuel economy of 70.6mpg is complemented by the lavish interior of cognac brown leather seats, a leather sports steering wheel and a new rev counter.

Optional extras include electric power steering, a lockable glove compartment and a smart sound system.

A diesel model of the smart fortwo is set to reach British roads in February to give fans another option for the impressive car.

Good things come in smart packages at thesmart.co.uk

Mercedes-Benz is ready to produce 10,000 electric-powered vehicles by the end of 2012.

According to its director for research and development, Thomas Weber, the automaker will push through the plans which would rely on the use of fuel cell stacks.

Lithium ion batteries would be used in the smart range as well as Mercedes-Benz A-Class models.

According to reports from Auto Mobile Magazine, Mr Weber expects the vehicles to be seen during 2009, allowing for a period of extensive testing in real-life environments.

Limited production could then begin by 2010 with full production expected in 2012.

Mercedes-Benz is already pioneering the development of environment friendly cars and it plans to introduce the diesel model of the smart fortwo to British drivers in February.

Consuming only 85.6mpg, the new smart can travel the equivalent distance of Dover to Prague on just a single tank of fuel while releasing only 88g of CO2 per kilometre.

Good things come in smart packages at thesmart.co.uk

A smart fortwo has beaten off competition from host of other vehicles to win the Cannonball Run.

The little car was driven 3,000 miles across Europe by David Ward and Adrian Hull from Essex, beating a field of supercars to the finish line.

The smallest vehicle in the field, the smart fortwo Brabus started the race at Sandown Park before taking in France, Portugal and Spain.

Finishing in Brighton, the smart fortwo won because it completed the event at the exact requirement of an average speed of 61mph.

Unrivalled fuel economy provided the advantage for the drivers as they had to take less time at the pumps than their bigger rivals.

Mr Ward said the bigger cars suffered because of continued stoppages.

"We kept at a decent speed and still averaged around 35 miles per gallon," he added.

"The event has just strengthened my admiration for the car," he explained

"The ride and economy are outstanding, you can park it anywhere and there is room for my golf clubs – it’s just a great little car."

Good things come in smart packages at thesmart.co.uk