[AMERICA 123]

Timely article.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/221616/the_clean_machines.html

Eco-friendly or merely green gimmicks? Our road test team delivers its expert verdict on the new Ford Focus ECOnetic – as well as seven other cars which profess to save not only the planet, but also your wallet...............................Are there any environmentally friendly cars that will make you go green with envy, or will their real-world running costs leave your bank manager feeling blue?........................


........................So which cars offer genuine environmental benefits and which are built to cash in on our desire to go green? It’s time to find out.

From Auto Express

Vehicles compared.

Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi ECOnetic

Skoda Fabia Greenline 1.4 TDi

Mini Cooper Clubman D

VW Polo Bluemotion

SEAT Ibiza Ecomotive

Toyota Prius T Spirit

Lexus GS450h 3.5 V6

SE Honda Civic Hybrid ES


A sample comparison of just some of the numbers :



Price £15,405 Mini Cooper Clubman D. - Advantage Mini
.........£20,682 Prius T Spirit



.......Claimed econ 68.9mpg Mini. - Advantage Mini
............................65.7mpg Prius

Auto Express econ 57.0mpg Mini. - Advantage Mini ( Huge - real world )
............................41.5mpg Prius



Claimed/actual CO2 109 / 133g / km. - Mini Real World - Advantage Mini.
..............................104 / 157g / km Prius - as Toyota reports it.

Road tax bracket/cost B / £35 Mini
............................... B / £15 Prius. - Political Advantage Prius.

Drag factor 0.33Cd Mini
.................0.26Cd Prius. - Advantage Prius.

Running costs 43.5ppm Mini. - Advantage Mini.
.....................48.2ppm Prius - does not include battery replacement and related.

0-60 mph 10.4 seconds Mini. - Advantage Mini.
...............10.9 seconds Prius

To be cont. & edited etc.