Mercedes-Benz has demonstrated its commitment to environment-friendly motoring with a real world test at the Detroit motorshow.

Taking a trip from Los Angels via Chicago to the Detroit motorshow, a smart fortwo demonstrated outstanding fuel-saving qualities in real-world conditions.

The smart fortwo drove over 2,700 miles taking in Route 66 along the way and driving through highways, desert stretches, mountain passes, busy cities and a spell of fresh snow and freezing temperatures.

With 71bhp and a one litre petrol engine, the smart fortwo micro hybrid drive (mhd) consumed about 58.9mpg thanks to the start-stop function that can shut down the engine in busy traffic, thereby saving fuel, and then let the driver continue without a delay.

The smart fortwo cdi also made the trip using the world’s smallest diesel injection engine and offers drivers 45bhp while consuming just 72.4mpg.

It also managed to travel 528 miles without needing to refuel.

Media representatives from Germany, Italy and the US took the cars on their road-trip that lasted seven days.

Visit thesmart.co.uk web site for more information and UK retailer details.