Clever technology is so 'smart'

Nov 18 2008 Mike Torpey

Clever technology is so 'smart'

CITY car specialist smart is hoping 'stop and start' technology will open new doors for the brand.

The company is aiming to clean up with the imminent arrival of a new model featuring what they call micro hybrid drive.

The system will be fitted to 61 and 71bhp versions of the popular smart fortwo range and is an automatic start/stop start function helping to provide savings in both fuel economy and emissions.

And the promise is of fuel savings of up to 24 per cent and lower CO2 emissions to 103g/km.

The micro hybrid drive system operates during the engine idling phases - the engine stops when it senses the car's speed drops below five mph and the driver is braking.

But 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.

An upgraded interior and new exterior finishes are also features of the new model, changes to the cabin including a redesigned instrument cluster with enhanced LCD display and new net storage pockets in the driver and passenger doors/

And the 'passion' model's 'design red' interior trim has now also been updated to match the fresh 'rally red' paint finish.

An effective 'grey metallic' completes the revisions to the smart's exterior colours, while new optional 15' six-spoke alloy wheels add to the appearance. 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 spec grades - pure, pulse and passion - and is priced from £7,060 on the road.