Something other than the lilacs is drawing attention at this year's Lilac Festival. It is small, has four wheels and it was created by the guy who made Swatch watches. Folks interested in living green and saving green believe it is very "smart."

Oscar Pate had to stop and look at the "smart" car, but at 6 feet, 4 inches tall, could he fit in it? It’s not really a family car as it only has two seats and no back seat.

About the name: "smart" stands for Swatch Mercedes Art. Mercedes liked the idea that the creator of Swatch watches brought them and decided to make what is billed as a low-cost, low-maintenance car.

Smart has Mercedes-Benz engineering without the Mercedes price tag – about $16,000 for the expensive model.

The three-cylinder engine is in the back. Smart Brand Specialist Kelli Kirst said the mileage is impressive for a gas-powered car.

“Our customers average usually low, mid-40s. That’s average commuter driving from suburban to downtown types of situations,” Kirst said.

You can change the oil on the three-cylinder engine once a year or every 10,000 miles.

When you drive past one of these cars especially on the highway, you can’t help but wonder if it is safe on the road.

“It doesn’t weeble wobble,” said Kirst. "The spokes in the wheels here allow for the air to pass through it much like a bicycle wheel. It just kinda flows through it without really gusting it into another lane.”

Kirst said its crash safety rating is four out of five and is comparable to some mid-sized cars.

Down the road, smart will produce an all-electric plug-in version. It will be available at smart dealerships next summer.

There is no smart dealership in Rochester, only Buffalo and Albany.

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