SMART was a great idea, but the reality was very underwhelming. I remember when the SMART car was first announced - it was going to be the eco-friendly young persons super-cheap hybrid car made by Swatch. The end result as a very expensive (for its size/technology) car running on very bog-standard technology. Its real-world MPG is about that of my 500 (I've seen 48mpg quoted a lot), and about the same as a new Panda which is twice the size (car and engine). So aside from its small size, it was a quite pointless car in the end, when it promised so much at concept stage. In eco-terms, every car now built in europe has to be largely recyclable.
What it did achieve was a big statement about what kind of car is possible for a city - but sadly (I think anyway) micro-cars are loosing the battle against ever bigger 4x4 tractors. I'm equally disappointed with what I've seen of the new 500 (a squat Fiat Panda) - it was probably an even bigger opportunity to put an innovative micro-car back on the map, but now seems to be yet another so-so, buy-one-for-your-wife/daughter Ka. can't see the new 500 lasting 30 years either. Fiat have lost their innovation and daring.