The striking new generation smart fortwo, priced from £8,780 on the road, is now on sale.

A host of enhancements ensure the new smart is even more appealing than its acclaimed predecessor, providing significant improvements in style, comfort, CO₂ emissions and equipment.

The unmistakeable iconic looks of the smart are strengthened with the front and rear aprons, side skirts and filler cap now finished in body colour as standard. The pulse specification now benefits from new eye-catching 3-double-spoke alloy wheels and the Xclusive has stylish new Monoblock VII alloy wheels, while both pulse and passion can now be specified in the brighter shades of new light blue and matt light green colours.

In addition, the practicality of the coupe is heightened as it is now possible to open the car’s rear lower tailgate using just one of its two release levers rather than both as previously.

A new upper dashboard design is the most striking interior change and the harmonious styling of the full fabric-covered instrument panel, which houses restyled dials, complements the improved fabric and colour designs available for the cockpit, seats and door centre panels.

Adding to the sporty, dynamic look of the pulse are fabric seats with leather optic on the side bolsters and headrests. In common with the passion, the pulse also has eye-catching fabric elements in the instrument panel, door trim and knee pad that are colour co-ordinated to the upholstery. The passion line debuts a trio of new fabric patterns – design black, design red and design beige.

All models now benefit from extra storage in the shape of a new glovebox design and useful net pockets on seat side bolsters. Both trim lines receive new steering wheel designs too, a 3-spoke leather sports wheel with modified seam stitching for the pulse and a 2-spoke leather item with matt chrome bezel for the comfort-themed passion.

Enhanced technology is another feature of the new generation smart’s interior. The pulse model gains USB/iPod connectivity and passion and Xclusive versions have the feature-packed smart high line audio and navigation system, which has a large 6.5″ touchscreen display, RDS radio, Bluetooth, auxiliary and USB ports, iPod interface and CD/DVD/SD functionality.

The amazing performance of the smart high line audio and navigation system is core to the advertising campaign for the new generation smart, which emphasises the way owners can express themselves via their choice of music and the smart’s synergy with the city environment.

Via online adverts, users can search for any band or artist and the track of their choice is streamed through the banner. A unique visual of a city built in the style of a graphic equaliser reacts in time to the beat and users can “explore” the shown city and listen to as many tracks as they like. They can also request a test drive or brochure direct from the advert. The smart will also feature in similarly-styled television and cinema adverts.

The new generation smart continues to use the same cutting-edge engines as its predecessor, with the popular 71bhp micro hybrid drive petrol unit fitted with softip transmission now emitting just 97g/km CO₂ – an improvement of 6g/km. This development means the most popular petrol and diesel engines in the smart range now fall below 100g/km CO_2. The emissions of the Xclusive are also lowered to 119g/km and a 7bhp increase sees the stunning flagship model now produce 102bhp and sprint from 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds – a whole second quicker than before. The whole smart range now emits less than 120g/km CO_2, which makes all models exempt from the cost of the annual road fund licence for at least the first year from registration.

Gary Savage, Managing Director Mercedes-Benz Cars UK, said: “The previous smart attracted a whole new generation of motorists to the brand when it was launched in 2007 and the advancements of the new model are destined to further broaden its appeal.

“The significant changes ensure that the new smart continues to be at the forefront of its sector when it comes to comfort, style and environmental-compatibility, yet do not detract from the car’s unique fun-to-drive nature that has captivated over 60,000 motorists since the smart was officially launched in the UK over 10 years ago.

The smart fortwo ICE edition is the height of automotive cool and is a car that genuinely sounds as good as it looks.

The stunning special edition model, available in striking deep black with black carbon fibre finish tridion safety cell, takes in-car entertainment in the smart range to an even higher dimension by featuring the very latest Pioneer audio and navigation technology.

smart and Pioneer collaborated to ensure the state-of-the-art AVIC-F920BT Navgate package – incorporating a two-way speaker system and active subwoofer – could be seamlessly custom-fitted into the soundproofed spaces occupied by the factory-supplied audio equipment. And with its supremely rich sound reproduction, the result is music to the ears of would-be owners, who can listen to their favourite tunes via their iPod, iPhone or MP3 player.

A user-friendly touch-screen displays album artwork and enables customers to scroll through their music collection with ease.

Drivers can also select tracks according to their mood or journey via Pioneer’s innovative MusicSphere technology. Categorised by tempo, rhythm, vocal and pitch, it can create up to 40 different playlists from an iTunes library that can then be accessed using a dedicated interactive 3D sphere interface.

In addition to its hands-free Bluetooth capability, the ICE edition’s Navgate unit is streets ahead when it comes to navigation – issuing pre-warnings about traffic jams and accidents as well as highlighting more than six million points of interest in 44 countries, such as cash machines or petrol stations.

Owners can use the system’s ECO Graph package to analyse their driving performance too. It reveals how efficiently and economically they are driving by displaying the smart’s fuel usage as well as its CO₂ emissions.

Big on technology, the smart fortwo ICE edition boasts a specification to match. Its striking black exterior is complemented by 15-inch BRABUS Monoblock VII alloy wheels and panoramic roof.

The smart’s interior is equally impressive, with black leather heated seats, leather optic upper dashboard and 3-spoke leather sports steering wheel with steering wheel gear shift amongst its luxury appointments. Its extensive specification also includes a lockable glove compartment, air conditioning, electric windows and dashboard-mounted clock and rev counter.

Only 200 smart fortwo ICE edition models will be available for purchase in the UK. There will be 140 micro hybrid drive petrol versions priced from £10,495 on-the-road as well as 60 diesels, which will cost £11,245.

The smart fortwo edition urbanstyle adds a whole new dimension to the iconic model’s reputation for being ‘big in the city’.

Based on the 2010 passion model, the aggressively-styled edition urbanstyle will be limited to a UK production run of 230 coupé models – 160 units featuring the 71bhp (mhd)engine and 70 with the turbocharged 84bhp unit. A cabriolet version is available as a special order only.

With exclusive dark grey matt finish paintwork, which also extends to the attractive 6-spoke, 15” alloy wheels, and a tridion safety cell in gleaming black, the edition urbanstyle cuts a dash in the most fashionable of places.

The contemporary and sporty feel of the edition urbanstyle is also reflected in its stylish interior. Heated, nappa leather black seats with yellow double stitching and striking reflective stripes set the scene, while the 3-spoke steering wheel and gear shift knob are also finished in supple nappa leather. Door trims, knee pad and the instrument panel benefit from a leather-look finish and eye-catching matt silver details and yellow accents complete the interior’s ambience.

Navigating the bright lights is guaranteed to be an entertaining experience for the edition urbanstyle’s occupants too. In addition to the smart sound system, which provides crisp sound reproduction thanks to its 2 tweeters, 2 mid-range speakers, subwoofer and smart

MP3 interface, the model also has an integrated audio and navigation system. This advanced system incorporates a 5.8” touch screen, iPod®/USB connectivity, Bluetooth and radio/CD.

“The edition urbanstyle offers a unique fusion of cutting-edge style and a level of equipment that features infotainment technology rarely seen in this sector,” said Dermot Kelly, Managing Director Mercedes-Benz Cars UK.

“smart has always been a trendsetter and the contemporary look and advanced specification of the edition urbanstyle reinforces the perception that the brand is very much a modern design statement.”

The smart fortwo edition urbanstyle costs from £11,495 on the road.

The latest addition to the iconic smart fortwo range is certain to live up to its namesake – the edition highstyle.

Finished in trendy chocolate brown metallic and boasting a sumptuous, well-equipped interior, the edition highstyle takes the smart’s distinctive look to a whole new level.

Available solely as a coupé and building on the range-topping passion specification, only 215 of the edition highstyle will be available in the UK – 180 featuring the 71bhp (mhd) engine and 33 coming with a turbocharged 84bhp unit.

Complementing the edition highstyle’s striking exterior finish are 12-spoke, 15’ alloy wheels, a silver tridion safety cell and unique, aluminium-look ‘highstyle’ logos.

The fashionable theme continues inside. The spacious interior benefits from heated, leather metallic silver seats together with leather optic door inserts and upper and lower dashboards. Eyecatching matt-silver details add a stylish touch and the edition highstyle’s driver enjoys a leather 3-spoke steering wheel with gearshift buttons and leather-trimmed gearknob at their fingertips.

The standard integrated audio and navigation system from Pioneer will be music to the ears of the edition highstyle’s occupants and as well as offering Bluetooth® wireless telephony, iPod and USB connectivity, the entertainment system also features full satellite navigation. Perfectly complementing the advanced head unit is the smart sound system, providing crisp sound reproduction thanks to its 2 tweeters, 2 mid-range speakers, subwoofer and smart MP3 interface.

The smart fortwo edition highstyle costs from £10,900 on the road.

smart looks set to power ahead of its rivals, with news of performance improvements to its acclaimed diesel model and further enhancements across the rest of the product range.

The revised smart fortwo cdi – the world’s most efficient production car – will provide a winning blend of exhilaration, economy and low emissions as a result of engine advances. An additional 9bhp unleashes 21 per cent more power from the state-of-the-art three-cylinder engine, which also delivers an extra 18 per cent torque (130Nm).

And whilst the 54bhp smart cdi will be quicker off the blocks – its 0-62.5mph acceleration time cut by three seconds – it remains the CO2 champion amongst all production cars with a combustion engine, emitting just 89g/km of CO2.

Across the smart range, significant improvements to standard specifications will strengthen the cars’ appeal and add considerable value to a customer’s purchase.

The sporty pulse now features air conditioning and softouch transmission as standard, with customers able to customise their car with optional extras such as a panoramic roof and front fog lights.

In-car communications technology comes to the fore in passion models, which include a Pioneer navigation and entertainment system as part of an impressive specification. This high-tech package offers full sat-nav capability, Bluetooth, iPod/USB connectivity, CD and radio operation via a 4.3-inch detachable screen. Dash dials and a lockable glovebox are also standard features.

All smart model lines produced from October 2009 onwards will boast stylish interior revisions too. The instrument cluster, dash dials and light/wiper levers will become pearl black rather than pearl grey, with the exception of passion models where these accents will be red or beige when ordered with design red or design beige upholstery.

From October 2009 production, on-the-road pricing of the smart model range starts from £8,517.55.