The Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid are currently top in the UK when it comes to waving green credentials but, in terms of CO2 emissions, this time next year the top two eco-friendly cars will be produced by Smart.
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Both models will be based around the redesigned ForTwo city car that goes on sale next month. The first will be badged the MHD, for Micro Hybrid Drive, and will arrive in showrooms early next year with a GBP150 price premium over the standard version. It features stop-start technology thanks to a belt-driven starter generator that cuts the engine when the car comes to halt at traffic lights, junctions and the like.
MHD will be available as a coupé or cabrio and in all three trim levels, but only with a 71bhp engine. Fuel economy rises from 60.1 to 65.7mpg, and there’s a reduction in CO2 emissions from 112 to 103g/km.
That undercuts the Prius and Civic at 104 and 109g/km respectively but the ace up Smart’s sleeve for the UK is a ForTwo 800cc diesel with impressive figures of 85.6mpg and 88g/km of CO2. However, there is a downside – it’s not exactly what you’d call fast. The two-seater doesn’t hit 60mph for 19.8 seconds and top speed is only 84mph … and it’s left-hand drive (as all Smarts were initially when the brand first launched here some years ago).
A spokeswoman said: “We’re not expecting a large number of orders but because of the low CO2 emissions it’s worth us offering. Like all new Smarts, it will be exempt from the London congestion charge when the emissions-based tolling proposal takes effect.”
She said the diesel would appeal to urban-based commuters with short journeys who didn’t need particularly quick acceleration.
“We will be numbers one and two in the country on emissions, which is a great story for Smart,” she added.
