The Smart is petrol powered and related to the A-Class in design, although I don't think Mercedes is actually involved in the company any more. The engine is a 3 cylinder 600cc turbo, and not particularly fast according to people that have driven it. It is also pretty expensive when you compare it to the smallest "normal" cars that some close - eg. Hyundai Atoz, Ford Ka etc..

There are quite a few in the UK now, my dad mentioned today that the train stations are putting special 1/2 price parking spaces for them.

FWIW I think the front looks pretty ugly - they could have done something a lot nicer yet still kept to the "minimal space" ethic.

Gareth