LONDON CONGESTION CHARGE DISCOUNT EXTENDED TO SMART CDI AND MHD (26/11/2010)

As of 4^th January 2011, all vehicles that emit 100g/km or less of CO₂ and that meet the Euro 5 standard for air quality will qualify for a 100 per cent discount from the Congestion Charge.

The most popular smart models – the cdi diesel and mhd petrol - comfortably meet the criteria to be eligible for the £8 discount. When both are fitted with softip transmission, the 54bhp cdi emits just 86g/km CO₂ and the recently revised 71bhp mhd produces 97g/km CO₂.

Customers of either smart who commute into the congestion zone can expect to make a saving of up to £2,500 per year.

To qualify for the discount owners will need to register with Transport for London (TfL) and make an annual £10 payment per vehicle. Another review will be made in 2012 as to whether Transport for London wishes to lower the threshold even further due to the likelihood of increased electric vehicle production, such as the forthcoming, zero-emission smart electric drive. 

Gary Savage, Managing Director Mercedes-Benz Cars UK, said: ”smart is one of the most environmentally-compatible cars available and with the whole range emitting below 120g/km CO₂, the vast majority of models are actually more efficient than some of the  hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles that already qualified for the 100 per cent discount.

“This development recognises the importance that smart places on lowering emissions and we are delighted that this total exemption from the London Congestion Charge enhances the already frugal running costs of smart and makes the brand even more attractive for driving in the capital city.” 

Micro smart generates huge improvements  (19 November 2008)

From November, 61hp and 71hp versions of the iconic smart fortwo will feature micro hybrid drive as standard, which is an automatic start/stop start function helping to provide significant savings in terms of both fuel economy and emissions.

The smart mhd models return fuel savings of up to 24 per cent and lower CO₂ emissions to 103 grams per kilometre.

The micro hybrid drive system operates during the engine idling phases.  The engine stops when it senses that the smart’s speed drops below 5mph and the driver is braking. When the driver releases the brake pedal the engine is instantly restarted.

The start/stop function makes no additional demand on the driver and, working in conjunction with the smart’s automated manual transmission, is completely seamless thanks to a powerful belt-driven starter generator that replaces both the conventional starter and alternator.

If the driver prefers not to use the micro hybrid drive system, it can be deactivated via a switch on the centre console until the next time the car is started.

Complementing the smart’s improvements in driveability is an upgraded interior and new exterior finishes.

Changes to the spacious cabin include a redesigned instrument cluster with an enhanced LCD display and new net storage pockets in the driver and passenger doors, while the passion’s “design red” interior trim has now also been updated to match the new “rally red” paint finish.

The elegant “grey metallic” completes the revisions to the smart’s exterior colour palette, while new optional 15” six-spoke alloy wheels add to the already stylish appearance. For even more glamour these wheels can also be specified in a chrome finish.

The micro hybrid variant is available as a coupe and a cabrio in all three lines – pure, pulse and passion – and is priced from £7,060 on the road.

Smart to feature automatic start-stop system as standard (14 July 2008)

From October 2008 the standard equipment of the 45 kW/61 bhp and 52 kW/71 bhp petrol-engined smart fortwo models will include micro hybrid drive (mhd) technology with a user-friendly automatic start-stop system. This reduces the NEDC consumption of the two naturally aspirated engines by an average of 8 percent. In city traffic fuel savings of almost 20 percent are even possible. Furthermore, from the autumn of 2008 the smart fortwo cdi will be equipped with a closed diesel particulate filter that almost completely eradicates particulate emissions. The equipment of the innovative two-seater is being upgraded by an instrument cluster with a new design featuring enhanced indicating instruments and new door net pockets among other things. Two new colours "grey metallic" and "rally red" are a fresh new highlight, as are the optional new sporty six-spoke alloy wheels.

The smart micro hybrid drive (mhd) automatic start-stop function has proven itself since 2007, although to date it has only been available for the 52kW/71 bhp model. To reduce the fuel costs for the smart fortwo, the two petrol models with 45 kW/61 bhp and 52 kW/71 bhp engines are now being fitted with the start-stop automatic function as standard. CO2 emissions are reduced to 103 grams per kilometre. In urban traffic with frequent stop-and-go situations savings of almost 20 percent are even possible. 7 out of 10 customers in Europewho opt for a petrol engine will now drive with this environmentally-friendly technology.

smart has realised the idea behind the automatic start-stop system in a particularly clever way: the control electronics shut down the engine as soon as the driver brakes and the vehicle's speed falls below 8 km/h - for example when approaching traffic lights.

The engine starts again in the fraction of a second as soon as the driver releases the brake pedal. In this way the fuel consumption is reduced even further. The smart fortwo's automated manual transmission is perfectly tuned to the automatic start-stop system. The driver only needs to accelerate and brake - no clutchwork or gear changing is ever needed. This fully automatic function of the smart fortwo with mhd technology makes it easy to save fuel and emissions.

smart is also improving the environmental footprint of the diesel model in model year 2009 with a new closed diesel particulate filter instead of the open version that was previously used. The new system reduces the particulate mass in the exhaust gas to a minimum and, thanks to intelligent engine control, it is virtually maintenance-free with a long filter service life. The smart fortwo cdi with a 33kW/45 bhp engine continues to be the world's production car with the lowest consumption and, with emissions of 88g/km, it is still the CO2 champion. In future it will also hold a top position in terms of particulate emissions.

Even more smart with the new fortwo (05 July 2008)

The new smart fortwo, priced from £6,900 on the road, goes on sale in Britain on 15 September.

The new car is even more comfortable, even more agile, even safer and even more ecological than its predecessor.  It retains its unmistakably iconic looks: the striking tridion safety cell that is also one of the main safety features and the innovative but practical plastic bodypanels, are still an essential part of the car that has become a familiar sight on British roads.

True to its philosophy of combining an exciting lifestyle product with environmental protection, smart is supporting the Live Earth concerts and “Save Our Selves – SOS” campaign against global warming.  smart is the only car manufacturer acting as an official partner of the Live Earth concerts taking place on 7 July 2007 and will be providing the shuttle service for artists and celebrities participating in Live Earth.

Dermot Kelly, Managing Director, Mercedes Car Group, said: “The new smart fortwo offers a solution to the problems associated with urban mobility and we need to have solutions like this if we are to face up to the issues around climate change.”

The car has new up-rated petrol engines, a newly developed transmission system, with five gears, which offers considerable advantages in terms of comfort, fuel economy and driving agility.  It is also slightly larger in size: the 7 inch (19.5 cm) increase in length has been used to give even better pedestrian safety and rear impact protection, as well as improved ride comfort.

In terms of active safety, the fortwo is the only car in its class to offer an electronic stability control system, ESP, as standard across the range.  A recent report commissioned by the Government found that cars equipped with anti-skid controls are 25% less likely to be involved in a fatal accident than those without it.

Kelly continued: “smart retailers already have new smart demonstrators available for customers to test and current owners will get another chance to get behind the wheel at “smart Destination: Brooklands” on Saturday 28 July.”

The familiar equipment lines will continue to be available; pure, pulse and passion and full UK pricing is detailed below.