The biggest advantage of a stop-start system compared with a full hybrid is that it costs much less and adds almost no weight or additional complication. Indeed, the smart company is selling its mhd system in Australia at no extra cost. The price remains at $19,990, to encourage buyers to do everything they can to protect the environment. Note that on-road charges by governments and dealers should be added to that figure.

While this might seem a bit high for a tiny two-seater, keep in mind that it's a Mercedes-Benz. Also remember that it has top notch safety equipment, including front and head/thorax airbags, stability control and ABS brakes. The tiny smart impresses by having a four-star Euro NCAP safety rating in crash testing.

The mhd system sees the engine kick in quickly when you want to get the car moving again. It's not instantaneous, but you soon become accustomed to the delay.

Fuel consumption during out test period was generally around the four litres per hundred kilometres mark, an exceptional figure for a car with a petrol engine and the aforementioned safety standards.

Boot space is bigger than you might expect and is capable of holding a large suitcase, a week’s shopping for a couple, or all sort of other bits and pieces that go with an inner-city lifestyle. Note that the aforementioned large suitcase has to sit vertically, so spoils vision to the rear.

Ride comfort is good for such a small, light car, but isn't to the same standard as that of a something in the Golf/Corolla class. Most will find it OK, but try for yourself if you are going to be travelling on poor quality surfaces.

Though it's built for city running, the smart is surprisingly capable on country roads. You wouldn’t want to drive one on corrugated dirt tracks, but otherwise the suspension soaks up bumps reasonably well. Side winds do affect it at times on the open road, but no more so than in a typical people mover or tall SUV. However, we didn’t like the ‘bow-wave’ off big trucks pushed the tiny car about at times.

The little smart is happy cruising at Australia's low 110 km/h speed limit. Indeed, we wound it up to 130 km/h on a motorway and found it to be perfectly happy. This doesn’t come as a surprise as 130 km/h is the motorway speed limit in most civilised countries.

Those who are living in a big city, who have a serious social conscious and who are have slightly more than the typical budget for a small car may well find the smart mhd is the perfect vehicle for their needs.

AT A GLANCE

MODEL RANGE

smart fortwo 1.0-litre two-door coupe: $19,990

smart fortwo 1.0-litre turbo two-door coupe: $21,990

smart fortwo 1.0-litre two-door convertible: $22,900

smart fortwo 1.0-litre turbo two-door convertible: $24,900

FEATURES

ABS Brakes: Standard in all models

Air Conditioning: Standard in all models

Automatic Transmission: Standard in all models

CD Player: Standard in all models

Central Locking: Standard in all models

Cruise Control: Not offered

Dual Front Airbags: Standard in all models

Front Side Airbags: Standard in all models

Stability Control: Standard in all models

Traction Control: Standard in all models

SPECIFICATIONS (smart fortwo 1.0-litre two-door coupe)

ENGINE

Capacity: 0.999 litres

Configuration: Three cylinders in line

Head Design: Four valves per cylinder

Compression Ratio: N/A

Bore/Stroke: 72.0 x 81.8 mm

Maximum Power: 52 kW @ 5800 rpm

Maximum Torque: 92 Nm @ 4500 rpm

DRIVELINE

Driven Wheels: Front

Manual Transmission: Not offered

Automatic Transmission: Five-speed

Final Drive Ratio: N/A

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:

Length: 2695 mm

Wheelbase: 1867 mm

Width: 1559 mm

Height: 1542 mm

Turning Circle: 8.75 metres

Kerb Mass: 750 kg

Fuel Tank Capacity: 38 litres

Towing Ability: Not recommended for towing

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:

Front Suspension: MacPherson struts, wishbone, anti-roll bar

Rear Suspension: De Dion suspension tube, coil springs, telescopic shock absorbers

Front Brakes: Disc

Rear Brakes: Drum

PERFORMANCE:

0-100 km/h Acceleration: 13.3 secs

FUEL CONSUMPTION/EMISSION RATINGS:

Fuel Type: Petrol 95RON

Fuel Consumption - Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 4.7 L/100km

GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:

Greenhouse Rating: 8.5/10

Air Pollution Rating: 6.5/10

STANDARD WARRANTY:

Three years/ unlimited km