If the zeitgeist of the '80s was conspicuous profligacy, the parsimony of the noughties is just as explicit. 1986's whale tale 911 Carrera is arguably today's MINI D; so how cool is this: the 83mpg Smart?
Very, probably. The Smart cdi could well become the Kensington go-kart of choice as being green gets cooler and cooler. It emits just 88g/km of CO2 as well as its lofty mpg figure, meaning owners will pay not a penny of road tax.
Due in March, finally (the cdi has been available in Europe since the second-generation ForTwo was launched in 2006), the Smart cdi should cost about £8,000 - so it's up to you whether you'll claw back the extra grand or so over a petrol Smart in fuel and tax savings.
Powered by the world's smallest common rail diesel engine, a turbocharged 0.8-litre unit, the two-seat cdi develops 45bhp at 3,800rpm and has 81lb.ft of torque.
And it should bolster sales even further of a brand experiencing an against-the-tide sales flourish: Smart sold 7,526 cars in 2008 - a 43.3 percent improvement over 2007.
Meanwhile, 100 zero-emission electric Smart ForTwos are being trialled in the UK - a car that can travel 70-miles on a single charge and can be plugged directly into a UK mains socket. It's capable of the equivalent of 300mpg, according to Smart.
Mark Nichol - 15 Jan 2009