smart hopes that it has "found its purpose" with a new completely electric car that will become available to the public in 2012, according to a reviewer.

Writing for the Guardian, Andrew Anthony states that the smart fortwo ed could be the vehicle for the future, especially for those completing short trips around town.

On a full charge, smart indicates that the vehicle should run for 70 miles and is capable of hitting a top speed of 60 miles per hour.

According to Mr Anthony, "getting there takes perseverance, but it is oddly exhilarating".

"Not since I was a teenager and I drove down Muswell Hill in a milk float have I got such a buzz from an electric vehicle," he added.

Furthermore, he concludes that the vehicle’s heavy steering is "reassuring", while the two-seater is given full marks for its support of the environment.

Companies can currently lease the vehicle for a charge, with the costs associated with running the vehicle considered to be the equivalent of a general car offering 300 miles per gallon of fuel.

Discover all the big benefits of the smart at thesmart.co.uk

Mercedes-Benz has received a noticeable investment boost after an Abu Dhabi-controlled investment fund took the chance to acquire shares in Daimler.

Daimler is the German manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz Cars and Aabar Investments has gained a 9.1 per cent share in the company following its €1.95 billion (£1.8 billion) investment.

Aabar, which is backed by the Abu Dhabi government, paid €20.27 per share for its stake, which helped to increase the car maker’s share capital by ten per cent.

According to the Telegraph, Khadem Al Qubaisi, the chairman of Aabar, said: "Daimler is an iconic brand and a financially strong company with a reputation for excellence worldwide.

"We are delighted to have the opportunity to make this investment and are excited by the commercial potential of our partnership."

The publication also reported that Daimler said that it was "delighted" to
have completed the deal and to welcome Aabar as an investor.

One of the strong vehicles in terms of worldwide sales for the Mercedes-Benz fleet in the past year is the smart fortwo, which saw sales across the globe increase by 39 per cent.

View the current Mercedes-Benz offers available for your sound investment.

Motorists are offered loads of choice and a car that is top of the bill when it comes to fuel efficiency in the smart fortwo CDi, a reviewer has stated.

Writing for Get Wokingham, Simon Donohue highlights the fact that the fortwo is a "smart proposition" for a motorist looking for value for money.

He indicates that a driver could benefit from between 80 and 89 miles to the gallon from their fuel, while avoiding paying any tax charges due to the vehicle’s generation of few CO2 emissions.

Furthermore, Mr Donohue comments that although the vehicle is not the quickest on the market, accelerating to 62 miles per hour from standstill in 19.8 seconds, it still does not feel "sluggish" to drive.

He concluded that when it came to returning the smart to the showroom after his test he was left feeling "impressed", with the car being the ideal choice for a motorist with the ultimate focus on economy.

Auto Express stated in a review of the smart fortwo CDi Passion that the car is roomier than past vehicles and shows an increased emphasis on quality.

Discover all the big benefits of the smart at thesmart.co.uk

Guessing how many balls have been crammed inside of a smart fortwo is just one of many events being held at a shopping centre in Scotland to raise money for Comic Relief.

St John’s Shopping Centre in Perth has come up with a range of activities to encourage the public to dig deep, with over £1,500 already being raised.

In return for a donation some individuals could have their hair dyed red, while a smart fortwo has been stuffed with red balls and individuals are encouraged to guess the correct number.

The winning player will gain either a Kids Tank Driving Experience for eight people or a Driving Experience with OpenRoadHire.

Centre manager Siobhan McConnell said: "Comic Relief is a very worthwhile charity that helps transform the lives of people in the UK and Africa."

Furthermore, Dragon’s Den investor Theo Paphitis recently had his grey Maybach painted red in a bid to ‘Do Something Funny for Money’ for Red Nose Day.

The vehicle was also made available for all to see at Mercedes-Benz World last month.

Discover all the big benefits of the smart at thesmart.co.uk

Motorists looking for a car that gives off a "refreshing" vibe may find the latest model from smart to be right up their street.

The latest smart fortwo edition ‘limited three’ is to be debuted during the current ongoing Geneva Motor Show and will stand out due to its vibrant melon green metallic finish.

Buyers will also note that on the inside the vehicle gives off a "funky" impression, with brown leather effects on the door trim and instrument panel.

This is continued throughout the cabin thanks to a dark brown leather finish to the three-spoke sports steering wheel, alongside the gear knob.

The vehicle is available in both coupe and cabrio styles and owners can upgrade to a complete smart sound system if they deem fit.

Furthermore, the vehicle is fitted with smart’s innovative micro hybrid drive technology, which aids the environment by turning off the car’s engine when a driver comes to a stop.

Meanwhile, the Advertising Standards Authority recently ruled that an advert from smart, which indicated the vehicle could complete 433 miles on a 33-litre tank of fuel, was not misleading.

Discover all the big benefits of the smart at thesmart.co.uk

The success of the smart car continues to know no barriers, as a strong year is thought to lie ahead for the iconic vehicle.

During the past year, sales of the smart fortwo increased worldwide by 39 per cent, with rapid improvements being noted in particular in the US. In all, sales rose to 134,700.

Furthermore, the vehicle is to broaden its range and be available in 41 countries around the globe.

Currently, the vehicle is available in 37 countries across five continents, but 2009 will see the two-seater introduced in Serbia, Denmark, China and Brazil.

Among the features that make the car so sought after is the fact that it boasts low fuel consumption while also being near the top in terms of environmental efficiency.

In fact, the smart fortwo cdi is at the forefront when it comes to CO2 emissions, generating 88g/km of CO2 emissions.

Recently in Canada, the smart fortwo scooped the ecoENERGY for Vehicles award for the second year in succession.

Discover all the big benefits of the smart at www.thesmart.co.uk