'eco driving' Euro smart initiative

[rfernatt]

‘Eco driving’ can make even smart cars smarter | Travel and transport

"smart has unveiled a new green driving initiative called 'smart eco driving.' The initiative was announced alongside the launch of the smart fortwo cdi, the lowest-CO2 -emitting car in production.

smart eco driving aims to encourage drivers to adopt smarter driving techniques via a tutorial showing them how they can save money and cut back on CO2 emissions. Green driving courses will also be available from Mercedes-Benz World later this summer."

"Last month, eco-driving expert Mick Linford applied the smart driving tips to a smart fortwo cdi as part of a Brighton-to-London drive, achieving a mileage of 109.9 mpg [91.5 US MPG] on the route compared to the standard return of 85.6 mpg [71.3 US MPG]."

Now that's what I'm talking about... Bring on the cdi!

[Padawan]

I would really love for smart to release the cdi here. I was very disappointed when Shembri announced that there were no current plans to introduce a diesel smart in the US market.

[Okiesmrt]

Diesel has historically cost way less than unleaded. With the recent gouging that is taking place I fully understand why we won't have or would want a diesel.

[wiltjk]

Diesel prices are beginning to stabilize as ULSD production is increasing (which was a major setback that increased prices since ULSD became mandatory).

My first choice has always been a diesel smart having nothing but success with my TDI, especially running Biodiesel.

It took 10 years to get smart into our country, so I expect no surprises.

[Carl242]

I'm hoping we'll start to see some diesel hatches in the US period. They could bring out the VW Polo TDI, bring back the Golf/Rabbit TDI, and we could even get an Impreza diesel, as Subaru makes a pretty nice diesel engine. It would be super nice to see the Audi A3 TDI, or the BMW 1d, or even the Mini D. Most of all I'd like to see the Smart CDI. Why go through all the effort and materials to make a hybrid with two engines and heavy batteries when you can make a car with one tried-and-true engine design thats just as efficient and low in C02 emissions?

[Mike T]

We have some people in Canada who would put that 92 US MPG standard down....at least two members of the Canadian club have exceeded that on test runs in a 450 cdi, one getting 2.2 L/100 km (107 US MPG).

[tvengineer]

Originally Posted by rfernatt

‘Eco driving’ can make even smart cars smarter | Travel and transport

driving tips to a smart fortwo cdi as part of a Brighton-to-London drive, achieving a mileage of 109.9 mpg [91.5 US MPG] on the route compared to the standard return of 85.6 mpg [71.3 US MPG]."

Ok... I must be stupid to ask this...
but what is the difference in UK and US MPG???
Isn't it MILES per GALLON???/
Are UK "Miles" different.. Or Gallons?????
I thought I knew this stuff.

[gbryers]

Originally Posted by tvengineer

Ok... I must be stupid to ask this...
but what is the difference in UK and US MPG???
Isn't it MILES per GALLON???/
Are UK "Miles" different.. Or Gallons?????
I thought I knew this stuff.

Miles are truly miles, though most anywhere but here in the good ol' US uses the metric Kilometer instead. But an imperial gallon is 4.5 litres (approx.), while the US (liquid) gallon is 3.8 litres (approx.) So it is important to understand which measurement is in use...

[jwight]

Originally Posted by Padawan

I would really love for smart to release the cdi here. I was very disappointed when Shembri announced that there were no current plans to introduce a diesel smart in the US market.

42 hp, 0-60 mph in a hair under 20 seconds - two big reasons smart USA won't import the CDI in its current form.

[chumly]

I would like to see an electric Smart with the capacitor type of batteries like the ones developed by Zenn electric cars.Much more range, speed,power,and can be recharged in 6-10 minutes.