Smart

The Internet updateable SmartGlobe

By Emily Clark

02:01 October 14, 2008 PDT

This update to the original interactive SmartGlobe from Oregon Scientific makes sure your geographic knowledge is up to date via downloadable weekly information updates. Read More

e-mobility Berlin project to provide 500 EV charging points

By Noel McKeegan

23:20 September 9, 2008 PDT

The implementation effective infrastructure seems to be to lagging behind the development of electric vehicles themselves, but a new joint project announced by Daimler AG and energy provider RWE AG could be another sign that the tide is turning in terms of developing widespread systems that will allow EV's to make the transition to the mainstream. Read More

Mazda’s Smart Idle Stop System uses Direct Injection Engine Technology

By Jack Martin

20:12 September 8, 2008 PDT

September 9, 2008 The imperatives of better fuel economy and reduced emissions are breeding some fascinating developments of the good ol’ Internal Combustion Engine (ICE). One of the most logical ideas could have been invented by any schoolboy – turn off the engine when it isn’t being used. VW was the first to trial the idea and BMW, MINI, smart, Citroen and Peugeot have followed suit, all using electrical power to restart the engine, requiring beefed up starting systems to cope with ever-more-congested urban conditions (25% of European driving time is now spent at standstill). Now Mazda has come up with a better idea - restarting the engine through combustion. Mazda’s system initiates engine restart by injecting fuel directly into the cylinder while the engine is stopped, and igniting it to generate downward piston force. Read More

Happy tenth birthday to the smart fortwo

By Jack Martin

05:14 September 4, 2008 PDT

September 4, 2008 Ten years ago the smart fortwo was launched to a world market decidedly unsure about the highly unusual two-seater that was just two and a half metres in length. It could fit into less than half a parking space, took two people and their luggage quite comfortably and had impressively low fuel consumption and minimum carbon dioxide emissions. The degree of foresight in the design will be judged most kindly by history given the issues of global warming, road congestion, and the effect the laws of supply and demand have had on fuel pricing. Throw in the car’s safety and technical innovations and a design that combines functionality with joie de vivre and the smart fortwo deserves a warm round of applause on its automotive coming of age. Read More

smart electric drive continues the ten year smart success story

By Jack Martin

04:40 September 4, 2008 PDT

September 4, 2008 In a carefully choreographed move, the one millionth smart fortwo rolled off the production line at the plant in Hambach, France to coincide exactly with the tenth birthday of the iconic ultr-compact. Quite appropriately, the millionth vehicle was a micro hybrid drive (mhd) in the passion equipment line. On the occasion of the production anniversary and the tenth birthday of the smart brand, Daimler presented the new smart electric drive. In Hambach Dr. Dieter Zetsche, President and CEO of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars said "The smart electric drive makes zero emission driving in an urban environment a reality." Read More

Limbo String: throw a party anywhere, anytime

By Jude Garvey

08:42 August 20, 2008 PDT

After something a little different for your box of party tricks? At the click of a button, the compact Limbo Stringunit releases a colorful circular string which arches across the room. The string is constantly fed through the unit so it remains airborne at all times and if you turn off the lights, the multi-colored, fluorescent string will glow in the dark. Read More

BRABUS SLR McLaren roadster gets a smart tender

By Noel McKeegan

02:53 March 13, 2008 PDT

So the traffic's a little heavy and you don't feel like taking the SLR McLaren roadster BRABUS to the shops. The solution: take the high-performance smart fortwo "tender". The yachting term has made its way into the automotive world via the latest offering from German performance specialist BRABUS. On World debut at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, the BRABUS “tender to the SLR” package consists of two identically painted and equipped vehicles - an aerodynamically enhanced, finely tuned, 211mph SLR McLaren Roadster BRABUS (the yacht) and the BRABUS ULTIMATE 112, a drop-top two-seater based on the latest smart fortwo Cabrio that puts out 112 hp and achieves 0-62mph in under ten seconds (the tender). Read More

Mercedes E-Class and smart fortwo demonstrate fuel efficiency on the road to Detroit

By Kyle Sherer

23:11 January 16, 2008 PST

January 17, 2008 - Talk about making an entrance – the smart fortwo and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class travelled 4400 kilometres over seven days from Los Angeles to the Detroit Auto Show. In the trip, which aimed to measure fuel economy in real world conditions, the smart fortwo mhd recorded an average fuel consumption of 4.8 litres per hundred kilometres, the two smart fortwo cdis recorded 3.9 L/100 km, and the business saloon E 320 BLUETEC recorded 5.8 L/100 km. Read More

I-Garment fire suit to aid frontline emergency communications

By Emily Clark

20:16 October 28, 2007 PDT

October 29, 2007 Perhaps the most critical tool in the face of disasters such as major fires is the ability to maintain communications – but the very nature of these events means that terrestrial systems are often an early casualty (through either overloading of the system or destruction of infrastructure), in turn exposing emergency personnel to an even greater level of danger. The I-GARMENT project is addressing this issue through the development of a full-bodied “smart suit” that combines protective materials with an array of sensors that monitor position and vital signals and wirelessly transmit the data back to base. Read More

F 700 with DIESOTTO leads Mercedes-Benz clean fuel showcase

By Noel McKeegan

07:45 September 7, 2007 PDT

September 7, 2007 Spearheaded by the F 700 research car – a vehicle that achieves low-emission economy at 5.3 litres per 100 kilometres via its hybrid drive and innovative DIESOTTO engine - and joined by a range of hybrid and clean diesel BLUETEC models, Mercedes-Benz has placed the emphasis firmly on economical and environmentally-friendly vehicles in its line-up for the 2007 International Motor Show in Frankfurt. Read More

smart set to roll out a full complement of Alternative Drive Systems

By Noel McKeegan

July 10, 2007 Mercedes-owned smart is set to become the first mainstream production vehicle with a full complement of alternative drive systems. It has begun touting four new versions of the smart fortwo, all of which can be expected in production form before the year is out. We’re not sure which is the most exciting as they all offer different solutions depending on your needs. The cleanest of the new smarts is the 30 kW plug-in electric version with a range of 115 kilometres (EUDC), but there’s also a 100 mpg 53 kW diesel hybrid drive, a slightly less economical petrol hybrid for those who don’t want diesel, a 52 kW micro hybrid petrol variant and a diesel-engined fortwo which will become the world’s most economical combustion-engined production car with 85 mpg (3.3 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres - NEDC) and the ability to travel 1000 kilometres without refuelling. The smart fortwo diesel is the world champion in low CO2 emissions at just 88 grams of CO2 per kilometre. This is huge news. Read More

New smart fortwo BRABUS - 30% more power

By Mike Hanlon

June 29, 2007 German automotive performance company Brabus regularly graces our pages, most notably by continually breaking its own record for the world’s fastest sedan. The name is synonymous with Mercedes and Smart performance tuning and the company’s latest effort involves the next generation Smart fortwo. With a reengineered 72 kW/98 bhp three cylinder turbo engine the smart fortwo BRABUS and the smart fortwo BRABUS Xclusive have 30 percent more power than before and still boast low fuel consumption. The sporty two-seater accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 9.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155 km/h. Ex factory prices for the pocket rockets range from EUR16,490 (US$22,160) to EUR 22,430 (US$30,150) depending on the equipment line and body type. Read More