Being able to drive further on a single charge is one of the improvements made to the second generation smart fortwo electric drive.

Jack Rix has written for Auto Express that the use of longer life lithium-ion batteries benefits the iconic model range, alongside an enhanced performance and a facelift.

The vehicle is predominantly suited to a city environment thanks to its top speed of 60 miles per hour, with a rear mounted electric motor also allowing 38 miles per hour to be reached in 6.5 seconds.

Another factor that makes it well suited to being driven in busy locations is the recharging of its battery.

Using a household socket, eight hours are required to charge it from full to flat, although motorists can complete 84 miles on a full charge, which is ten miles more than the first generation model.

Mr Rix added: “About 140kg has been added to the 750kg kerbweight, but from behind the wheel, you would be hard pushed to tell.

“Peak torque of 120Nm might not sound much, but as it’s all available from idle, you’ll always be the first away from the lights.”

Mercedes-Benz World in Surrey and Mercedes-Benz UK in Milton Keynes were among the seven locations to be recently fitted with charging points that can be used to add more power to the battery of the electric vehicles.

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Elektromotive has been chosen as one of the companies that will have the responsibility of providing Mercedes-Benz with invaluable information through trialling the new electric version of the smart fortwo in the UK.

The leading provider of electric vehicle recharging bays will sample the vehicle for four years, supplying Mercedes-Benz with data including the reliability and performance of its battery.

No harmful emissions are created by the two-seater vehicle, with motorists also able to reach a top speed of 60 miles per hour, while being able to travel 70 miles on a single charge.

It is hoped by smart that enough data will be gained so that the smart electric drive can go into small-scale production at some point in 2010.

Dermot Kelly, the Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz UK, said: “The smart electric drive project is an important part of our commitment towards developing sustainable transport solutions across the Mercedes-Benz business.

“smart continues to be a pioneer in the world of environmentally-friendly and economical driving and we’re delighted that Elektromotive is our partner in this exciting electric car trial.”

It was recently announced that future series production of the smart fortwo electric drive would be carried out at a plant in Hambach, France.

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Richard Hammond has highlighted that he is unsurprised that the smart fortwo cdi recently sealed top spot in an event based on which cars travel the furthest on a gallon of fuel.

With smart eco-driving expert Mick Linford behind the wheel, the vehicle managed to complete a 360-mile race route with an average of 96.81 miles to the gallon, crowning it the MPG Marathon champion.

Writing in his column for the Daily Mirror, Hammond indicated that he knew the capabilities of the car after testing it earlier this year.

He said: “This doesn’t surprise me because when we road tested one I drove it all over the country and didn’t have to fill it up.”

However, the Top Gear presenter added that there was an element of surprise that the driver bettered the smart fortwo’s official rating of 83.2 miles to the gallon.

Hammond also offered his own top tips for motorists wishing to make their fuel last longer, including taking the most direct route to a destination outside of rush hour traffic, avoid braking unnecessarily and keeping air conditioning switched off.

Meanwhile, Dave Schembri, President of smart USA, stated earlier this year that motorists considering buying a small car that is high on safety will find the smart fortwo to be the perfect choice.

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A plant in Hambach, France is to be the location for future series production of the smart fortwo electric drive, it has been revealed.

Daimler AG made the announcement as French President Nicolas Sarkozy made an official visit to the plant.

From next month, approximately 1,000 vehicles are set to be produced at the plant, which will then be sent to those taking part in mobility projects across Europe to prove valuable feedback for future improvements.

It is then hoped that by 2012 the vehicle, which is equipped with the most modern lithium-ion battery, will be ready to roll off the assembly line into full-scale production.

Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: “The smart fortwo electric drive proves that emission-free driving in an urban environment is already feasible today.

“With our decision to locate production here at the parent plant in Hambach, we are setting the course both for series production of electric vehicles and for the future of this highly innovative assembly plant.”

Writing in the Times earlier this year, TV executive Dianne Nelmes indicated that an electric smart car could be especially beneficial on London’s roads, especially for those not concerned with driving too fast.

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The recent achievement of the smart fortwo cdi to be crowned as the 2009 MPG Marathon champion goes to show that it is more than just a vehicle with a focus on style, it has been stated.

Mick Linford recently drove the car over the marathon’s 360-mile route, where he managed to complete the journey with an average of 96.81 miles per gallon of fuel.

This was the lowest in the event’s seven-year history and shows what can be achieved by motorists if they drive economically.

However, Dermot Kelly, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Cars, feels that the results also go to show that the vehicle will suit motorists wanting low costs, as well as a quirky style.

He said: “smart has always been renowned for its unique style but this fantastic miles-per-gallon 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.”

Among the vehicles from smart that have their own unique style is the new smart fortwo edition highstyle, which is finished in chocolate brown metallic and has seats that are silver metallic.

Meanwhile, the smart cdi only generates 88g/km of carbon dioxide, which enhances its low-ownership attributes.

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Motorists wanting the most fuel-efficient car on the market should purchase a smart fortwo cdi, after it was recently declared the winner of a race designed to test the miles per gallon achieved by a vehicle.

Driven by smart eco-motorist Mick Linford, the vehicle registered an average of 96.81 miles per gallon over the 360-mile route to become the 2009 MPG Marathon champion.

Meanwhile, the smart fortwo cdi also set the new benchmark for other cars to match after recording the best figure in the event’s seven-year history.

Mr Linford, who has previously driven the car from London to Edinburgh and back on a single tank of fuel, revealed that he is already planning to return to the event next year to break the record again.

He said: “I’m already looking forward to next year’s competition when I hope to achieve another record-breaking figure by exceeding the 100 miles-per-gallon barrier.”

Alongside being ideal for motorists who want to make their fuel last longer, the smart fortwo cdi also supports the environment in other ways.

It generates world-beating emissions of 88g/km of carbon dioxide, while it can be bought by motorists looking to benefit from the government’s scrappage scheme.

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The look of the iconic smart fortwo range has been taken to whole new levels through the creation of the edition highstyle.

Only 215 of the smart fortwo edition highstyles are set to be available in the UK, while the vehicle can also only be bought in coupe form.

Some 180 of these offerings will include the 71 brake-horsepower mhd engine, with the remainder featuring a turbocharged 84 brake-horsepower unit.

Part of the vehicle’s distinctive style is its exterior finish, which builds on the smart’s already individual fashion.

The car is finished in trendy chocolate brown metallic, while on the inside the silver metallic seats are both spacious and heated.

Meanwhile, the use of matt-silver adds a stylish touch to some of the interior’s features.

Furthermore, a leather three-spoke steering wheel is fitted with gearshift buttons and the car moves on 12-spoke, 15-inch alloy wheels.

According to smart, drivers and passengers should have no safety fears when climbing into the vehicle, as “just like a nut is protected by its hard shell, the tridion safety cell keeps you and your passenger safe from harm”.

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The opportunity to choose a vehicle that can be personalised and is bright in colour are among the unique selling points of the smart BRABUS tailor made concept.

Among the vibrant colour choices open to motorists is Campbell Blue, which pays homage to the iconic Bluebird cars which broke the land speed record in the past.

In all, a palette of 18 different colours can be chosen in the range, alongside a host of bespoke interiors, giving prospective buyers thousands of combinations to decide between.

The concept was recently previewed at the smart festival, where it received a positive reaction, and is now being officially launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Four cars from the range were displayed at the festival, which celebrated a record-breaking attendance of more than 1,300 smart car owners.

Dermot Kelly, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: “smart has always been regarded as an iconic and unique product and the launch of smart BRABUS tailor made will enhance that reputation.

“Business users have enjoyed tremendous success by using vinyl wraps on their smart cars to promote their companies and we expect the opportunity for individual retail customers to personalise their vehicle will be a huge hit too.”

Motorists will be able to get their hands on a vehicle from the range from this winter.

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Over 1,400 smart car owners are expected to converge at Mercedes-Benz World tomorrow (September 12th) to enjoy and appreciate the smart festival 2009.

Alongside the chance to watch a variety of live entertainment, guests will also get the opportunity to view examples of vehicles in the new smart BRABUS tailor made collection.

The range allows motorists to stylise their own smart vehicles, in terms of choosing from a number of vivid colours and bespoke interiors.

Thousands of different combinations are available to fans, decreasing the likelihood of two people opting for exactly the same design.

Al Young, Chairman and Managing Director of thesmartclub, said: “The preview of the smart BRABUS tailor made range adds another exciting dimension to this year’s smart festival, which is the highlight in the smart calendar and is shaping up to be the biggest and best yet.

“Online registrations are 50 per cent up on last year and, with smart retailers around the country organising convoys of their own customers to the event, we’re confident the total number of attendees will easily surpass smart’s tenth anniversary celebration last year.”

Among the live acts making their way to Weybridge in Surrey to perform are dance group Flava, who appeared on Britain’s Got Talent this year, and rising singer Steve Appleton, who has been the voice of recent smart advertising campaign.

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Performance improvements are to be made to smart diesel models to provide motorists with more power and style when behind the wheel of the iconic vehicles.

Motorists will be able to profit from 21 per cent more power from the smart fortwo cdi due to the car’s three-cylinder engine being given an additional nine brake horsepower, with an extra 18 per cent torque also being delivered.

This will also increase the acceleration of the world’s most efficient production car by three seconds, while only generating 89g/km of carbon dioxide.

Furthermore, other light touches will be made to vehicles to enhance their appeal to motorists.

These include the sporty pulse range benefitting from air conditioning and softtouch transmission, while optional extras consist of a panoramic roof and front fog lights.

Furthermore, all vehicles produced after October 2009 will witness changes to the interior, with the pearl grey instrument cluster, wiper leavers and dash dials being made in pearl black instead.

David Wilkins recently wrote in the Independent that the fuel consumption of the smart fortwo cdi was among its strongest features, with motorists able to travel 85.6 miles on a gallon of fuel.

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