A high level of environmental friendliness is an innate characteristic of the iconic and successful smart fortwo. The diesel model - the smart fortwo cdi - always underlined this claim with carbon dioxide emissions of just 88 grams per kilometre, the lowest figure worldwide for cars with a combustion engine. Now the smart fortwo is setting a new record with emissions of just 86 g/km, and fuel consumption of 85.6 mpg (combined cycle) in the manual “softip” mode which means that it keeps its title of CO₂ champion.

The smart engineers have been able to improve the smart fortwo cdi's fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions in the course of continuous further development. The measures included an improvement in the vehicle’s aerodynamics. A reduction in ride height by seven millimetres, for example, resulted in improved rolling resistance characteristics.

Dermot Kelly, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: “Our customers are proud to drive the vehicle with the lowest consumption worldwide, and we have been working hard to make our smart models even more environmentally friendly.  “As a trendsetter we have to live up to the standards we set: the next level of sustainable drives is ready to go - the smart fortwo electric drive.  From April this year, 100 drivers in London, the South East and West Midlands will be selected to take delivery of the latest-generation smart fortwo electric drive, and from 2012 the dream of motoring with no local emissions will become a reality for everyone.”

Smart cdi goes the extra mile to win MPG Marathon

Driven by smart eco-driver, Mick Linford the smart fortwo cdi passion coupe achieved this phenomenal figure over the demanding 360-mile route.

Acclaimed for its world-beating emissions of only 88g/km, the 45bhp cdi was the ideal choice for the two-day event that aimed to demonstrate how careful eco-driving can significantly reduce the fuel costs and CO₂ emissions of the country’s motorists and enhance safety.

Mick achieved the best ever mpg figure in the event’s seven-year history and improved on the cdi’s official combined fuel economy figure of 85.6mpg by over 13 per cent.

“I’m already looking forward to next year’s competition when I hope to achieve another record breaking figure by exceeding the 100mpg barrier,” explained Mick, who has previously driven a smart from London to Edinburgh on a single tank of fuel.    

Dermot Kelly, Managing Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: “smart has always been renowned for its unique style but this fantastic mpg result and its

all-conquering emissions mean that smart now really leads the way when it comes to low ownership costs – a fact which is attracting an ever-increasing number of car buyers to the iconic brand.”

From October 2009 the smart cdi costs from £9,227.55 on the road.

Greenest smart bound for Britain (19 June 2008)

The world’s CO₂ champion, the smart fortwo cdi, is coming to Britain.

Sales of the new smart diesel model, which boasts the lowest CO₂ emissions of any current production car worldwide, just 88g/km, will start next year with manufacturing of right-hand drive models commencing in February.

As well as impressive green credentials buyers will appreciate the car’s remarkable fuel economy. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is 85.6mpg. It means the new smart can travel 670 miles between top-ups, equivalent to a journey from Dover to Prague.

Dermot Kelly, Managing Director, 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.”

The car’s Mercedes-Benz-developed three-cylinder common-rail diesel engine develops a healthy 45hp, offering drivers useful performance as well as economy. The diesel model will be available in both coupé and cabrio versions.

The smart cdi benefits from all the enhancements currently available in the new smart fortwo petrol models, including improved ride and handling, class-leading safety, added protection from head and thorax airbags, a larger boot, more elbow and shoulder room, comfier seats, upgraded trim and a revised dashboard layout with a more efficient ventilation system. There is also a new five-speed semi-automatic transmission offering both fully automatic and manual modes.

Pricing and specification for the new diesel model will be announced nearer to launch.

Smart fortwo cdi performance confirmed (03 Dec 2007)

At present there is no more economical way of running a car: Italian car magazine confirms the low consumption of the smart fortwo cdi.

On a long journey of 1,000 km the Italian car magazine “Quattroruote” measured the fuel consumption of the smart fortwo cdi and confirmed the standard consumption of 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres.

The current December issue of the magazine carries a report of the test drive. The smart travelled 1,000 kilometres from Rome to Salzburgon a single tank of fuel to see whether the stated standard consumption of just 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres could really be achieved.
The route chosen largely consisted of motorways, but there were also detours and traffic jams because of roadworks, long uphill stretches and city traffic in Rome, Bolzano and Salzburg.

The result: the smart fortwo cdi travelled the 1,000 km on a single tank of fuel. This corresponds to average consumption of just 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres i.e. the standard consumption. According to “Quattroruote” this makes the smart fortwo cdi the vehicle with the lowest average consumption that the magazine has ever tested in the history of its road tests.

With standard consumption of just 3.3 litres per 100 kilometres and CO2 emissions of just 88 grams per kilometre the smart fortwo cdi is the production vehicle with the lowest consumption and the lowest carbon dioxide emissions. For customers this means that at present there is no more economical and climate-friendly car than the smart fortwo cdi.