‘smart fortwo mhd’ Crowned Australia’s Greenest Car

It's official, according to the Australian Federal Government’s Green Vehicle Guide, the smart fortwo cabrio mhd (micro hybrid drive) is Australia's greenest car. The fortwo mhd managed to best all contenders including some very popular hybrids and a host of small cars from Australia's 'light' vehicle category.

The smart scored a substantial 17 out of 20 points during the test, resulting in a full five-star rating and first place in the Green Vehicle Guide.

Horst von Sanden, managing director of Mercedes-Benz Cars Australia, said:

“For a consumer searching for the most environmentally sound car in Australia, there is no better choice than the smart fortwo mhd. With our smallest car at the top of the government’s Green Vehicle Guide we have another important tool to highlight to car buyers how environmentally compatible the smart fortwo really is.

“The goal of sustainable mobility lies at the heart of the smart concept, and it’s this very car, along with new developments such as the electric smart 'ed', that have made some of the biggest steps towards the ultimate goal of emission-free motoring,” Mr von Sanden said.

The smart fortwo mhd was released in Oz last December and manages a combined rate of 4.4L/100kms from its 54kW power train. Extra-urban commuting is better again, coming in at 3.9L/100km; CO² emissions are equally impressive, just 105 grams are emitted per kilometre.

The smart mhd makes use of simple but effective start-stop technology, much like that to be seen on the Kia Cee'd ISG. This allows the engine to shut down when stationary and quickly restart as required.

Vehicles tested under the Green Guide scheme are given an overall star-rating which is comprised of two scores: one assessing air pollution, which includes exhaust emission pollutants and air toxics, and one assessing CO2 emissions, known as a greenhouse rating. All tests are conducted in accordance with Australian Design Rules and, when combined, give a score out of 20, with anything over 16 receiving a five-star rating.

The benefits of a five-star rating are numerous for consumers, many of which are not entirely environmental. Check out http://www.greenvehicleguide.gov.au for a full list of perks which includes things like zero stamp-duty. While the smart fortwo might not win you the traffic grand prix, it makes for an excellent low emissions A to B commuter.