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Top cars to cut your carbon 'tyreprint'



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Published Date: 16 October 2008
By ALASTAIR DALTON
TRANSPORT CORRESPONDENT
WITH running costs rising and road tax now closely linked to engine emissions, choosing a car which minimises environmental impact while remaining practical and fun is not always a straightforward task.
However, help is at hand with the publication today of a guide to greener driving. The consumer group Which? has named Ford's latest supermini as the car of choice for drivers seeking to cut motoring costs.

The Fiesta Econetic, which goes o
n sale at the end of the year, has won three accolades in the Which? guide – best value, lowest annual fuel bills and zero road tax. The new Fiesta range was also rated second to the Kia Cee'd as greenest in the £10,000-£15,000 price category.

Ford's Focus range also fared well, being chosen as greenest in the £15,000-£20,000 category, and the greenest choice for a family of four, beating the Toyota Prius.

The Fiesta Econetic produces 98g/km of , pipping the Volkswagen Polo BlueMotion, the previous front-runner, by 1g.

Which? said the Econetic had "superb official economy stats and very low emissions".

However, the group said its tests on available models put the Fiat Panda 1.3 Multijet, Toyota Yaris 1.4 D-4D and VW Polo BlueMotion 1 as best for overall economy, at 60.1 mpg.

The group said its top ten cars in this category were all diesels and advised high-mileage drivers they would save money by switching to diesel, despite the higher purchase cost compared to petrol models.

Richard Headland, the guide's editor, said: "It's a win-win situation. Choosing a greener car will reduce your carbon tyreprint, cost less in road tax and you'll save money every time you fill up your car."

BEST OVERALL ECONOMY

1= Fiat Panda 1.3 M'jet, Toyota Yaris 1.4 D-4D, VW Polo BlueMotion: 60.1mpg
2 Mini Clubman 1.6D: 58.8 mpg
3= Audi A3 1.9 TDIe, Mazda2 1.4D, VW Golf BlueMotion: 57.7mpg

BEST MOTORWAY ECONOMY

1= Audi A3 1.9TDIe; Mini Clubman 1.6D Cooper; 54.3mpg
2 Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTi 90: 52.3mpg
3 VW Golf BlueMotion: 51.4mpg
4 Fiat Panda 1.3 Multijet: 50.4mpg

BEST TOWN ECONOMY

1 Toyota Prius: 72.4mpg
2= Fiat 500 1.3 Multijet, Toyota Yaris 1.4 D-4D, VW Polo BlueMotion 1: 54.3mpg
3 Fiat Panda 1.3 Multijet: 53.3mpg

CHEAPEST COMPANY CAR TAX (20 per cent taxpayer)

1 Kia Picanto 1.0 5dr: £118
2 Hyundai i10 1.1 Classic: £130
3 Smart ForTwo 1.0: £136
4 Toyota Aygo 1.0 VVT-i 3dr: £138
5 Fiat Panda 1.3 Dynamic: £140

BEST FOR FAMILY OF FOUR

1 Ford Focus
2 Toyota Prius
3 Audi A3
4 Kia Cee'd
5 VW Golf BlueMotion

MOST FUN TO DRIVE

1 Mini
2 BMW 1 Series
3 Mazda2
4 Renault Clio
5 Ford Focus

BEST FOR A FAMILY OF FIVE OR MORE

1 VW Golf Plus
2 Citroën C4 Grand Picasso
3 Seat Altea XL
4 Renault Grand Modus
5 Fiat Doblo

BEST VALUE

1 Ford Fiesta Econetic
2 Suzuki Splash
3 Kia Cee'd
4= Citroën C1; Peugeot 107; Toyota Aygo

BEST FOR COUPLES

1 BMW 1 Series
2 Audi A3 Cabriolet
3 Mini Clubman
4 Peugeot 207 CC
5 Ford Fiesta Econetic



The full article contains 563 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 15 October 2008 9:59 PM
  • Source: The Scotsman
  • Location: Edinburgh
 
1

One-man-bucket's older twin,

16/10/2008 00:49:29
Best way to drive green - buy a used car.
2

nabodican,

Rural Scotland 16/10/2008 06:56:32
What a bunch of boring cars.
Perhaps those requiring a family car or just something with a bit of comfort may be best to consider the safety aspect of all these tiddlers.
One thing is for sure - hanging a "baby on board" sighn in the back window will not help them !!
3

Guga II,

Rockall 16/10/2008 07:06:12
Why don't they show us a list of cars in which you have the lowest chance of being killed or maimed in a major crash? I've got two of them.
4

Unimpressed one,

16/10/2008 07:31:49
Anyone hear the latest advice on the radio about how to save energy and 'save the planet'? Don't let the tap run when you brush your teeth. I kid you not.
5

Vote UKIP,

16/10/2008 07:33:32
Man made climate change (aka global warming, global cooling) is a lie.

It's all about making us pay Al Gore et al for carbon credits and allowing the enviro-dictators to control our lives.

The EU can stuff their directives to ban traditional light bulbs. I won't use them - they are expensive, filled with mercury vapour, emit UV etc .I've stocked up on a lifetime's ordinary light bulbs. I suggest you go to the shops and do the same!!

The best thing we can do for the environment is ignore the IPCC. Don't vote for politicians who spout the carbon nonsense.
6

Nell,

Over the Hills and Far Far Away. 16/10/2008 08:00:43
The carbon footprint of making a new car is much more than continuing to run an old car. Yet the incentive is cheaper road tax if you buy a new "greener" car. It's a mad mad world.
7

Rulesbutnotrulers,

Federation, not separation 16/10/2008 08:12:25
The Aixam that uses the Kubota diesel engine yields 90mpg, and seats 4 people. An ideal city car, until a better one arrives.
8

Graeme,

Guangzhou 16/10/2008 09:00:44
#3, Gaga,

What a surprise. Big cars for a wee man! Assume you have a booster seat?

No emission problems for you, eh!! Sums you up beautifully.
9

drew 33,

duddingston 16/10/2008 09:13:04
With the global temperature falling every year for the past seven years we will be spending more on heating our homes because people are buying these dangerous low carbon footprint cars.
10

The Former Mr. Angry,

Perth 16/10/2008 09:54:17
Never mind the carbon footprint what about the personal dosh footprint?

£10000 - £15000 for a tiny car that might save me £106 a year on petrol or diesel compared to my old banger! Or an eyewatering £15000 - £20000 for those mad enough to buy a Focus or VW Golf new! Not that anyone whould have to pay anything like these figures even for a new car now with a bit of haggling but it puts into perspective the family economics of the hype going into these "eco friendly" (i.e. rip-off) cars and their prices.

11

GlenB,

16/10/2008 10:00:46
"Richard Headland, the guide's editor, said: "It's a win-win situation. Choosing a greener car will reduce your carbon tyreprint, cost less in road tax and you'll save money every time you fill up your car." "

Only if you are wealthy enough to change your car in the very near future.

If you are having to make do with the car you bought a number of years ago and plan to keep it for its full life span (the truly green way to use a car) then you'll have to fork out a lot extra in tax.

More like lose-lose for those on limited incomes.
12

Guga II,

Rockall 16/10/2008 10:50:53
#8 Gruamach.

I would have thought it was a dwarf like yourself that needed a booster seat, or even two of them in your case. Hasn't your mother bought you them yet?

I know you can't afford them yourself, hiding in China from your creditors.

Anyway, your mother is probably calling you; it's time for your medication.

13

traprain,

16/10/2008 11:23:17
Are there no limits to the attempts by the global warming brigade to micro-manage other peoples lives in line with their crazy notions?
Every day we seem to be heading for a new imagined disaster, if we don't change our cars or our shopping habits or whatever to please the nutters.
A few months ago we were told of "an ice free arctic in 2008"
The facts are somewhat different "Arctic sea ice now 28.7% higher than this date last year - still rallying"
14

11+failed,

the pans 16/10/2008 11:35:25
4 Unimpressed one
There are much more serious issues than running the tap. Have you not read about the greatest catastrophe likely to hit the planet from global warming?

"Haggis is at risk of dying out due to global warming.
The meat pudding is known to children as a rare tartan creature found only in the Highlands but the rise of the common parasite lung worm, which is thriving due to global warming, is putting it at risk."
15

Jay Kay,

16/10/2008 12:46:26
Not one mention of Lotus in there at all, mine was bought second hand, in great condition, one owner, low mileage returns a regular 48mpg, light on the road, reliable with toyota engine, I have even seen a few Honda transplants into old MkI's which looks the dogs and much more preferable over a FIAT PANDA FFS? only prob its a wee bit nippit for a 6 footer like me but hey I manage ok. Have these people lost their souls, a ford Ka or Fiesta or a Kia Cee'd OMG horrible.

Best of all still essentially British.
16

Mad Jock,

East Lothian. 16/10/2008 13:36:40
If it wasn't for new cars, of any description, there wouldn't be any second hand cars to buy either, so they are a necessity. Some buyers like to own a new car, so that's fine by me. Let them take the financial hit of depreciation, that's the real discount for us second hand buyers.
As for being "green", I would guess that that applies to only 20% of the market. It's all about cheaper running costs. Less fuel used, by definition, reduces ones carbon footprint, but more importantly it saves money. Reduced tax is not going green, it saves money.
I just came back from California, and the number of Toyota Prius's I saw beggars belief. However, the number of them whizzing past me on the freeways was also a surprise. They are simply not economical at those speeds. You'll notice that it doesn't appear in most of the categories listed in the article, except for town driving.
Notice also that the most economical at motorway speeds have relatively large engines.
At the end of the day, it's all about how we drive the car we own. Finding the best compromise between size, economy, particular routes driven and average routes driven, annual mileage, typical loads and potential loads leads us to make a particular purchase. Factor in desireability, peer group pressure, costs, location of dealers, actual availability and resale value, and it soon becomes clear that it is unfair to pigeonhole an owner of any particular car.
17

Alternative (High-Octane) Fuel Head,

Edinburgh 16/10/2008 14:18:35
#1:

Exactly.

Anyway, what the hell is a "carbon tyreprint" when it's at home?

I'll stick to my 400 supercharged horsepower thanks.
18

Marcus Fenix,

The Valley 16/10/2008 14:32:18
I'm very surprised not to see Nissan's Micra listed. I've got documented proof (I keep a chart in the car every time I fill up to see how many miles I get from full until the fuel light comes on: and yes I know I'm an uber geek) that I can get 63 mpg combined out a tank of petrol. This was averaged over a week commuting between Paisley and Grangemouth.

Admittedly I've had to try to stick to some rules to achieve economical glory, namely:
Reduce weight: take everything out the boot etc that's not needed. (I've went to the extreme and taken the back and passenger seats out)
Fill up early doors when it's cold and the fuel coming out the garage's tanks is more dense.
NEVER accelerate or brake harshly.
Change up well before 2500 rpm.
Always keep an eye on the traffic well ahead and start to work down the gears well in advance if you see it stopping. Chances are it will have started moving again before you get there thus never having needed to stop. Stopping is a cardinal sin when it comes to fuel conservation as the amount fuel used to get moving again is enormous.
Keep the windows closed. This makes your car more aerodynamic and therefor easier for the engine to push through the air.
Never drive faster than 50 mph. (even when a huge truch is screaming up behind you blowing his horn and flashing his lights)My figures suggest a significant increase in economy when speed is reduced from 55 to 50 mph.
Forget air conditioning.
Keep those tyres inflated.

People will laugh but they stop when you tell them you are getting 487 miles out of 35 litres of petrol.

When superman goes to bed at night, he wears Marcus Fenix pyjamas!
19

Mcsnagpile,

16/10/2008 16:44:35
I am getting a bit tyred with this.
20

The Strategist,

16/10/2008 20:09:04
I own a 14yr old Suzuki sportscar which has a 657cc, 3cyl, twin ohc, turbocharged engine that does 50mpg !! It's great fun, very quick and handles like a dream..
21

Marcus Fenix,

The Valley 16/10/2008 20:46:07
#20. Is it a Suzuki Cappuccino?

I had a shot of one once - brilliant fun!
22

Vote UKIP,

16/10/2008 22:48:35
#20

My 10-year-old 1.8L diesel Mondeo does 54 mi/gal

 

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