Notes on low emission cars available now, or soon

Following the recent Paris Motor Show, I have been reviewing a short list of eco-friendly new cars actually out there in the market now, or soon to be on sale. In no particular order are six or seven you can consider :

First-up is the all-new MkII Ford Ka (featured here earlier this month) a sub-120g/km emitter of CO2. You will have a choice of two engines: the 1.2-litre petrol, or the 1.3-litre diesel. The journalists' view in Paris was that this was a stylish replacement for the outgoing model. 

 

In the Spring of 2009, Peugeot are unleashing  the 308CC with a list price from around £18,000. At 109 g/km emissions of CO2, this is a hybrid to compete with the Nissan Qashqai. 

Peugeot already has highly economical motors in the 107(mini), and 207 (hatch) ranges,and other 308s.

And, next summer, SEAT launch a new version of the best selling Ibiza , the MKII Ecomotive version with a 1.4-litre diesel engine chucking-out a mere 99g/km of CO2 emissions.

The Smart has to have a place in the line-up. The Coupe is listed at a price from £6,775. A city run-about, the Smart ForTwo is zippy and relatively easy to park. At an economical 60mpg ,and only 113g/km of CO2 emissions, this is a star eco-friendly performer.

Suzuki triumph with the Swift, a 1.3-litre diesel to rival the Mini. It also performs as well as the ForTwo in the 'green' department, with a parsimonious 60.1 mpg (and 119 g/km CO2 emissions). At a list price of from £8,260, the Swift is not expensive.

A special limited edition of the Swift called the Suzuki Attitude is shown above.

Hyundai are also in there with the i20 which had its debut at the Paris Show and is scheduled to be launched early in 2009.

Toyota come in with the iQ in January (top left) This mighty mini sports 1.0 litre VVT-i engined car ,with manual transmission , is set to deliver 65.7 mpg , and a provisional 99 g/km,making it likely exempt from road tax.

Almost finally, a short list of 61.4 mpg performers with 109 g/km of CO2 ratings:

Citroen C1 (middle top)

Peugeot 107

Toyota Aygo

Honda Civic

 Click on the Green Car Guide website for more information on these, and many other green cars.

All the cars featured above have to varying degrees cost savings over their larger and less fuel efficient cousins, whether this be in fuel costs,insurance premiums,parking charges,congestion charge, or road tax. Green Car Guide