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(Thu 15 Jan 09) As far as we know, nobody ever accused smart of building gas-guzzling cars, but the fact is that the little cars are becoming steadily greener.
The stop/start smart mhd (see separate story) is already on sale, and it's going to be followed in March by the introduction of a new diesel model called the smart cdi (pictured). The cdi's three-cylinder engine develops 45bhp, or about three-quarters of what the least powerful petrol unit can manage, so don't expect searing performance. Do expect high fuel economy, though. Combined fuel consumption is 83.1mpg - slightly worse than the 85.6mpg quoted by smart last year, but still very impressive - and CO2 emissions are just 88g/km so the car is well and truly exempt from VED. The cdi will be available in three forms. With the coupé body style it's being sold with the pure trim level at £7748.50 and as a higher-specification passion at £8971.91. There's also a cabrio passion which will cost £10,880.42. Meanwhile, an even cleaner smart is undergoing UK market trials. 100 examples of the electric smart ed - range 70 miles, top speed limited to 60mph - are being tested by 60 or so businesses and green energy suppliers, two of the most recent partners being support services provider Amey and Aston University. The smart ed is due to go on sale some time next year. |
