There’s no doubt that going ‘green’ is at least somewhere on everyone’s agenda at the moment, whether they are a motorist or not. I’d certainly recommend though, if you drive a car, that you look again at exactly what it costs. This includes your own driving style, and whether you’re a bit heavy with the old right foot at times.
It’s a wonderful thing that people are taking more interest in green models, not least because the manufacturers are doing just the same. This means that you aren’t exactly going to be wanting for choice – even if you are wanting for money due to the state of the economy. Nevertheless, for those who can afford it, let’s see what some of the major manufacturers are up to and what you could be driving to save you money.
BMW will provide you with something a bit special (as usual, at least if you like their cars) in the form of their ‘efficient driving dynamics’. This new range contains both efficient diesels and petrols, with stop/start technology to cut Co2 emissions and increase fuel economy. This has led to their BMW 1 Series 118D car being voted the 2008 World Green Car, and is also the reason for it being the main image with this post.
Citroen are not far behind mind you. The French are a nation not to be outdone by the Germans (especially at the moment, anyone seen the new C5 advert? Ooooohhh!), so the fact that they are the winners of the Green Car Manufacturer of the Year should be no surprise. Their line-up of the lowest Co2 emitting diesel vehicles around should mean there is something for everyone, whatever their size or shape preference (as it were).
Once again, these vehicles are fitted with stop/start technology to keep you clean sailing in a traffic jam. Arguably the pick of the bunch – certainly for fuel efficiency – is the C1 city car. This lightweight packs a 1.4 litre turbo diesel that is both fun to drive and emits only 109g/km along with a 69mpg return. Best of all, you can easily pick one up for under £10,000. When you look at it that way, what’s not to like? Well, perhaps you wouldn’t be satisfied with it on a longer motorway journey, but I digress…
Seat is the Spanish brand that shares a lot (including vehicle platforms) with parent company Volkswagen. This means that they have access to technology in order to create the wonderful ‘Ecomotive’ range. Silly branding aside, this line-up really does mean business. Once again, the standout is a smaller car – the 1.4litre Ibiza. At 99g/km you’re exempt from road tax in this funky little car with the S badge, whilst the 73mpg return will put more pennies in your piggy bank. An impressive set of figures for a car that costs slightly over £10,000.
Seat is even offering a performance car with superb economy figures – the rather tasty Seat Leon 1.9litre turbodiesel. Granted, it might not have the badge that you want and it isn’t the most refined of engines, but putting out 148bhp and moving to 60 in less than 9 seconds is pretty good for a diesel.
There are of course a wealth of other manufacturers out there all doing there own thing, but for now, I’ve really just cherry-picked the best of what looks like a bumper crop this year. So, if you’re in for a new car, why not go green? Your wallet will thank you for it, as will the environment…
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