At the launch of Smart's second-generation electric car last week, Quentin Willson – best known as Jeremy Clarkson's former Top Gear co-host – quoted Aldous Huxley describing how "speed is the only truly modern sensation" in the novel Brave New World.

"Now you've got silent speed," Willson said. "I challenge any motoring nutters to get into one of these electric cars and not be completely blown away."