HOW times have changed. In the past, potential car buyers might have looked for top speed, extras and gadgets, but now motorists are being forced to take in more wallet-friendly details such as CO2 emissions and economy.
The latest blow to many motorists was the revision of VED tax groups, with some respite coming in the form of news that changes will be introduced in stages between now and 2010.
But it’s not all doom and gloom. Fuel prices are dropping – slowly – and car manufacturers are upping their game in the green stakes. In fact, many cars now qualify for lower road tax, with cars producing less than 120g/km of CO2 costing just £35 a year.
You may be surprised by just how stylish and fun a fuel-sipping, low-tax car can be, so Your Car has perused some of the latest offerings and presents the top green cars available at the moment. Remember, it’s easy being green.
Winner – VW Polo BlueMotion 1.4 TDi, from £7,725 to £15,800
The BlueMotion label was first tagged to the Polo in 2006 and represents the most efficient model in each of Volkswagen’s passenger car ranges.The Polo BlueMotion is Volkswagen’s answer to providing a car with very low CO2 emissions without resorting to hybrid technology.
VW got the Polo down to 99g/km for the stripped-out BlueMotion 1 and to 102g/km for the BlueMotion 2, which has a slightly higher standard specification, including air-conditioning.
Losing unnecessary weight, tweaked aerodynamics and lengthened gears have all helped achieve these magic figures. The fiddling has resulted in a more efficient 1.4-litre, 80bhp three-cylinder diesel engine that makes your fuel go further for your money.
Economy-wise, the Polo has been tweaked to offer a claimed 72.4mph, with VW claiming a range in excess of 700 miles from the 45-litre fuel tank.
But it is in the CO2 stakes that this little car is a winner. Opt for the high-spec BlueMotion 2 and you’ll pay £35 a year, but opt for the super green sub-100g BlueMotion 1 and you’ll pay nothing for road tax. Zero. Zilch.
Thankfully, all of the fiddling about has still left a fun and loveable Polo underneath. The BlueMotion may not be the quietest or the sharpest handling supermini on the market but it does feature a brisk 12.8-second 0-62mph time and a perfectly acceptable top speed of 109mph.
Features such as a CD player, electric front windows, central-locking, six airbags, trip computer and ABS are all standard.
Also recommended: Seat Ibiza Ecomotive 1.4 TDI (74.3 mpg), Mini Cooper D (72.4 mpg), Citroen C1 1.4 D4D (68.9mpg)
Winner – Toyota Prius 1.5 T3 petrol-electric hybrid, from £17,932 to £20,832
Oh yes, the original is still the best. Since its launch, the world-famous hybrid has been regarded as the benchmark of eco-friendliness in the motoring world. It has had a lot of competition this year, emphasising the growing interest in green, hybrid technology.
Although Toyota’s first attempt was a commendable one, it wasn’t what you could call easy on the eye. However, the second generation is much more attractive, while retaining the tried and tested family-car shape.
Now to the technology. The five-door Prius hatchback uses battery power to back up a 1.5-litre petrol engine and it emits just 104g/km of CO2, putting you in the £35-a-year tax bracket. The battery is recharged during braking and coasting, and it has reasonable get-up-and-go under acceleration.
On the latest cars, you have the option of switching exclusively to electric power, which is handy in car parks and for stop-start traffic. Don’t worry, the petrol engine kicks in above a predetermined speed or when the battery charge is low, and it won’t let you impersonate a milk float if the car’s too cold.
Achieving the official 65.7mpg may be slightly difficult, but it is still an excellent economy figure for a family car.
The Prius was seen as expensive when first launched, but it offers very good value, with savings in fuel and taxes and Lexus levels of standard kit.
Also recommended: Ford Focus 1.6i 16-valve TDCi ECOnetic (65.7mpg), Renault Megane Hatchback 1.5 DCi (62.8mpg), Honda Civic 1.4 Petrol Electric Hybrid (61.4mpg)
Winner – Seat Alhambra 2.0 TDI DPF Ecomotive, from £16,495 to £21,945
The Seat Alhambra is the perfect green car in that it manages to successfully balance versatility with a healthy dose of style
Part of the Volkswagen-Audi group, Seat has a lot of the latest fuel-saving technology available to it, and it has made excellent use of it in the Alhambra.
The Alhambra is showing its age, but it has been given a new lease of life with the Ecomotive model. This brings excellent fuel consumption to the seven-seat MPV sector and is more reasonably priced than the Volkswagen alternative.
The firm’s big MPV features a two-litre TDI unit which boasts a 0-62mph time of 11.9 seconds and a top speed of 121mph, yet returns 47.1mpg on the combined cycle. Producing 159g/km, it’s not the greenest car ever, but it certainly boosts the credentials of the MPV sector by fitting into the £145-a-year tax bracket.
It’s a clever seven-seater, too. The back five seats can be removed if you want to turn the car into a posh van, or the rearmost pair can be taken out if you want to change the passenger-to-luggage ratio. Fitted out in high-quality materials, the lay-out is almost car-like and the lofty driving position is most useful.
The turbodiesel produces a healthy 229lb/ft of torque at 1,900rpm, which is handy given that the Alhambra can seat seven adults.
Also recommended: Volkswagen Sharan (47.1mpg), Ford S-Max 1.8 TDCi LX (45.6mpg), Peugeot 807 2.0 (31.4mpg)
Winner – Fiat Panda 1.3 16-valve MultiJet Cross, from £7,005 to £11,995 It’s not the first 4x4 that springs to mind, but the Panda Cross offers a combination of serious 4x4 potential with manoeuvrable city-car know-how. Combining the driveability of Fiat’s widely acclaimed 1.3 16v MultiJet turbodiesel engine with the proven permanent four-wheel-drive system of the Panda 4x4, the Panda Cross is a rugged little fellow.
As with any Panda, fuel consumption and emissions are low. The Panda Cross returns 54.3mpg on the combined cycle and just 136g/km of CO2, putting it in band C at a cost of £120 a year.
The permanent four- wheel-drive system has a viscous coupling and an electronic differential lock which ensures good off-road performance in low-grip situations.
Meanwhile, the MacPherson front and independent rear suspension ensures very good wheel-to-ground contact and remarkable passenger comfort over any surface.
The MultiJet turbodiesel engine gives smooth power delivery, producing 70bhp and torque of 107lb/ft at just 1,500rpm, which is ideal for off-road use.
The interior is surprisingly big, with head and legroom aplenty for four adults.
The compromise is that the boot isn’t massive, but it is capable of carrying the weekly shop. If you need more room you can always fold down the rear seats.
Also recommended: Subaru Legacy Outback (48.7mpg), Lexus RX400h Petrol Electric Hybrid (34.9mpg), Honda CR-V 2.0 i-VTEC SE (34.9mpg)
Winner – BMW 120d ES, from £21,850 to £29,755
See, sporty can be green, too.
Strong performance, low emissions and 58.9mpg on the combined cycle have been achieved thanks to the ingenious BMW EfficientDynamics technology.
Regenerative braking, energy storage technology and the firm’s now familiar stop-start feature mean you can indulge yourself safe in the knowledge that your running costs won’t spoil the experience.
The 120d successfully blends style, performance, comfort and very low CO2 emissions in a compelling package. Impressively, it also comes as standard with a diesel particulate filter.
Driving-wise, the Coupe certainly doesn’t lose any of its BMW-ness. It has an excellent driving position and one of the best diesel engines of this size.
While you might expect the Coupe to perform well in the driving stakes, it is also a pleasant surprise to find excellent ride quality, which is something BMW has struggled with in recent years, meaning the car could easily be used on a day-to-day basis.
Inside, things are just as impressive, with a solid feel and a driver-focused dashboard.
Front passengers will have no complaints about the space on offer, but the rear seats are best kept for occasional adult use – but this should come as no surprise.
A sports car with such high mpg and a tax-busting 128g/km (£120 a year) is a rare thing, and BMW has done a sterling job of producing a fun and exciting car that doesn’t make you feel guilty. After all, if a top speed of 142mph and a 0-62mph time of 7.6 seconds doesn’t put a smile on your face, what will?
It is an expensive way of going green, but with high performance and the X-factor, it’s worth its premium price.
Also recommended: Audi TT Coupe 2.0 TDI quattro (53.3 mpg), Peugeot 407 Coupe 2.7 136 FAP (48mpg), Caterham 1.4 Classic (40.9mpg).