smart cdi wins 2010 MPG Marathon

The smart cdi – the World’s CO2 champion – has once again run rings round its rivals in the annual ALD Automotive/Total ECO 10 MPG Marathon, winning the event for the second year in a row with an impressive 94.66mpg.

Driven by smart eco-driver Mick Linford, the smart fortwo cdi pulse coupé recorded the winning figure over the 400-mile route that covered A- and B-roads and motorways throughout Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

With emissions of only 86g/km, the frugal, 54bhp smart cdi proved to be the ideal choice for the two-day challenge that demonstrates how careful eco-driving can increase safety, dramatically reduce fuel costs and lower CO2 emissions.

Difficult driving conditions stopped Mick bettering his 2009-winning result of 96.81mpg, but he still improved on the cdi’s official combined fuel economy figure of 85.6mpg by over 10 per cent.

No other car has beaten or even equalled the figure returned by the smart cdi in the MPG Marathon’s eight-year history, yet Mick feels that the smart has the potential for an even greater result.

“With the right conditions I really believe that we could achieve over 100mpg from the smart cdi, so I’ve got my fingers crossed for next year,” explained Mick, whose past smart driving exploits include driving a petrol smart from London to Edinburgh on a single tank of fuel.

Gary Savage, Managing Director Mercedes-Benz Cars, said: “This fantastic result shows once again that the smart is unrivalled when it comes to combining unique style and fun driving dynamics with low ownership costs and class-leading environmental compatibility.”

The smart cdi costs from £9,540 on the road.