Limited edition Smart ForTwo Lightshine emits a mere 86 g/km of CO2 *UPDATE

Smart has announced that it will launch a limited edition version of its ForTwo city car that emits a paltry 86 grams per kilometer of CO2. Smart claims that this special edition model, a UK-only offering called the Lightshine, is the cleanest combustion-engined vehicle available anywhere in the world.

Thrust for the Smart Fortwo Lightshine is provided by a 54-horsepower, 0.8-liter, three-cylinder diesel engine that cranks out 96 pound-feet of torque. The Lightshine "accelerates" from 0 to 60 miles per hour in 16-plus seconds and tops out at 84 mph. The Lightshine's exterior features green matte body panels, LED running lights and color-matched headlamp surrounds. On the inside, the Lightshine is equipped with a touch-sensitive satellite navigation system, a three-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters and floor mats emblazoned with the Lightshine logo.

The Lightshine is priced from £11,405 ($18,080 U.S. at the current exchange rate) and Smart will limit production to a mere 86 units. Guess where that number comes from?

*UPDATE: Smart USA informs us that, "We are selling the Lightshine in the U.S. in limited quantities as well. In fact, we have one in our exhibit at NAIAS." More information can be found here.

*LATER UPDATE: Not so fast. Turns out, the Lightshine in the U.S. isn't as special as the UK version. Smart USA added that: "The U.S. model has the same engine, and thus, same fuel economy as our other models." That means, in the U.S., the Lightshine – like all Fortwos here – is powered by a 1-liter, three-cylinder mill that offers 33/41 city/highway mpg.

[Source: Autocar]

FROM SMART USA'S PRESS RELEASE

The 2011 model year will feature a series of exciting special models, and the smart fortwo lightshine special edition is first of these limited production offerings.

The Lightshine edition comes in the passion coupe or passion cabriolet models and will be available in either green matte or light blue metallic exterior colors with a sliver tridion safety cell.

The highlight of the special model is equipment features that are otherwise only available as options. These include the high performance audio system navigation/multimedia including navigation and Bluetooth hands-free system, striking LED BRABUS daytime running lamps and dashboard instruments.

The special model boasts all of the new enhancements with the 2011 model including a new fabric-covered instrument panel with the new dial face, new upholstery colors in design beige or design black, fuel filler cap finished in the body color and net pockets on the side bolsters between the seats.

And finally, equipment on the lightshine includes 15"BRABUS monoblock VII alloy wheels and the "lightshine" badge on the vehicle's body. The vehicle further upgrades the interior with accent parts in chrome matte and velour floor mats featuring a scripted "lightshine" stitched along the side.

The lightshine package is available on both the passion coupe and passion cabriolet for an additional $1,600 MSRP to the base price of each model.