Melbourne – The iconic smart fortwo has again shown its impressive credentials in both fuel efficiency and ecologically sound engineering by being awarded the overall winner of the Greenfleet Technology Class’s segment for commercially available vehicles in this year’s World Solar Challenge, which concluded in Adelaide on the weekend.

The little fortwo made the long trip from Darwin to the South Australian capital last week, covering 3,568 km over seven days with a fuel consumption rate of only 4.61 litres for every 100km travelled.

To demonstrate the real-world capabilities of the efficient smart fortwo coupe, the car was driven by three non-professional drivers who used an ‘everyday’ driving style. The little two-seater cruised along the Northern Territory’s Stuart Highway at speeds reaching 130 km/h, and 110 km/h when across the border in South Australia.

To help ensure a realistic result, the journey was made with the car’s tyres inflated at recommended pressures and with the air-conditioning running the entire time.

Commenting on the winning performance of the popular smart fortwo, managing director for Mercedes Car Group in Australia, Horst von Sanden, was keen to emphasise the capabilities of this automotive icon.

“The goals of our participation in this year’s event were simple. We not only wanted to demonstrate the fortwo’s fuel efficiency under realistic driving conditions but we wanted to do this in a challenging environment that would test the car’s capabilities.

“Being awarded the winner of the production car segment in this year’s World Solar Challenge clearly shows we achieved this, once again highlighting the environmentally sound nature of the smart fortwo,” concluded von Sanden.

Against a backdrop of some of the world’s most technologically advanced solar-powered cars, the turbocharged three-cylinder two-seater was a popular attraction at all stops during the long drive. It even captured the attention of a BBC camera crew in the middle of producing a round-the-world documentary, who were all naturally surprised to find a bright red smart fortwo in the middle of the Australian outback.