Carbon To Liquids

In the rush to purchase fuel-efficient hybrid cars, consumers can overlook some of the smaller, lightweight gas cars that can deliver exceptional fuel economy. While hybrids certainly lead the way in efficiency, the premium price consumers must pay for these vehicles can be a real turn off.

The most fuel efficient gasoline powered car is the Smart Fortwo, a tiny two seater produced by Germany’s Daimler AG. The car has been sold for several years in Canada, but only recently became available in the US. Powered by a 61 cubic foot three cylinder engine, the Smart Fortwo is by far the smallest car on the road, at least a foot shorter than the MINI Cooper.

The advantage of the Fortwo is in its highway fuel economy, where the car achieves 41 mpg according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). That number puts the Fortwo fifth on the list of fuel efficient models, behind several hybrid and diesel models, but at the top of the gasoline powered car heap.

“The smart fortwo demonstrates there are options, other than hybrids, when seeking excellent fuel economy at a time when fuel prices have been at a historic high,” said Dave Schembri, president of smart USA. “This vehicle has a low cost of ownership starting under $12,000 and is one of the most ecological vehicles on the road today, not only for its environmental friendliness, but also for its compact size in an age of increasing urban congestion.”

The diminutive Fortwo has also been certified as an Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for its exceedingly low exhaust emissions. It is also certified by EPA as a “Smartway” vehicle, which indicates good environmental performance, placing it among the “greenest” vehicles available on the market.

The component materials and the manufacturing processes used to produce it clearly demonstrates the ecology of the Smart Fortwo. For example, 95% of the vehicle is recyclable, and the dash material is made from recycled synthetics. Moreover, the “smartville” factory in France, where the vehicle is manufactured, is considered to be one of the most modern and environmentally friendly plants on the globe.

Besides the Smart Fortwo, there are several other gasoline powered cars that are larger, but get very good gas mileage, particularly on the highway. The Chevrolet Cobalt XFE commands 37 mpg as does the MINI Cooper, while the Toyota Yaris returns 36 mpg. Among hybrids, the Toyota Prius returns 45 mpg on the highway, but 48 mpg around town. The most fuel efficient diesel is the Volkswagen Jetta which gets 41 mpg on the highway.

The biggest advantage of the Smart Fortwo besides its fuel efficiency is its price. With an MSRP of $11,590, the Fortwo offers class leading fuel economy along with a class leading price advantage.

(Source: Smart USA)

Matthew C. Keegan

Would the smart car (Convertible) make for a good first car for a teenager (16)? Is it safe? Also… is it a manual or automatic? Is it slow? Thanks,

I dont know about that, being good for a 16 year old. I hear they are quite safe believe it or not. They are really, really small though. Normally teens want to haul around their friends around but you cant do that with a Smart. The Smart convertible is a cute looking car, but not very masculine in my opinion.
I think it can have both along with a CVT transmission. And yes its slow.
If I were you I would go with like a Nissan Verse. Its bigger. more powerful, more useful, a fully loaded Verse is still cheaper then the Smart and Most interestingly it gets only one or two mile less per gallon then the Smart car. So unless you just really want a Smart, I would go for something like the Nissan Verse or a Honda Fit.

So you have reached Jersey on a quiet holiday with your loved one. You want to enjoy the trip in total intimacy and absolute privacy. Then, smart car hire is the best option for going around the island.

Jersey lies to the south of UK and offers a host of memorable experiences to all those who come here. It has impressively varied natural beauty and great hospitality. Enjoying the sights of Jersey requires an unhurried approach. One could drive along beaches and climb onto mountain roads to follow the rugged cliffs. There are narrow, winding country lanes lined with fragrant wild flowers. Large cars with booming engines are totally out of sync with the ambience of the place. So, one should choose smart car hire.

The latest sensation in automobile world is the smart car. It is a cute one with comfortable seating for two. It has power-packed features like easy maneuverability and can be parked even in the most congested space. It has two versions – petrol and battery-powered.

Smart car hire is a popular choice among young people visiting Jersey. It gives them the freedom to frame their own itinerary and savor moments of togetherness. The roads are narrow and winding and hence the small car is most suitable. Since the island has strict environmental regulations, the smart car is ideal with its eco-friendly features. The speed limits on the roads of Jersey make traveling by the smart car a pleasurable experience. With its good fuel efficiency, the smart car provides great value for money.

Zebrahire is a popular car hire agency in Jersey and a pioneer of smart car hire. It accepts bookings online and offers attractive bargains to Internet clients. It is one of the oldest car hire agencies in the Channel Islands and is reputed for its courteous and efficient service. Since the smart car is much in demand, you would do well to specify your choice right at the time of booking.

Benered
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/smart-car-hire-59425.html