Misers and Guzzlers
Greenpeace activists have recently targeted Land Rover drivers in particular and four-wheel drive Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) in general because their vehicles are said to squander scarce resources.
You can avoid Greenpeace wrath by investing in a conspicuously planet-friendly vehicle.
Top 5 Petrol Misers
1. Toyota Prius – The most popular “green” car is the Prius, powered by a so-called hybrid combination of petrol engine and electric motor. If you buy a Prius, your fellow owners will include movie stars like Cameron Diaz, Tom Hanks, and Meryl Streep. Toyota claims 65.7 miles per gallon, but expect more like 42 mpg – prices start at £17,545*.
2. Citroen C3 Stop-Start – Citroen says in city driving you can be stationary for 30 per cent of the time, so its engine shuts off when you stop, and turns back on again when you depress the accelerator. The C3 cuts fuel consumption by 15 per cent, says Citroen – average 50.6 mpg - from £11,495.
3. Honda Civic IMA – Another hybrid, but cheaper and less sophisticated than Toyota’s - it won’t move under electric power alone – average 57.7 mpg - from £15,100*.
4. Volvo V70 CNG – Volvo sells CNR (compressed natural gas) and LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) fuelled engines. CNG is the cleanest, most efficient stuff, identical to the gas which fuels the cooker at home. Unfortunately, CNG pumps are difficult to find – average 31.4 mpg - from £28,108.
5. Lexus RX400h – A Green SUV? The 400h is an 4x4 SUV hybrid using the same system as the Toyota Prius. (Toyota of Japan owns Lexus). Toyota claims that the 3.3 litre V6 engine performs more like a 4.5 V8, can perform with electric power only, and does 34.9 mpg – from £35,485.
(* - immune from London congestion charge)
Top 5 Gas Guzzlers, according to CarSmart.com “Where America Shops For Cars”. If you buy a car like one of the following, look out for sandelistas and expect no mercy.
1. Dodge Ram SRT-10 – pickup truck – 8.3 litre, 10 cylinder, 500 bhp, costs £27,900 and will do 10.8 mpg in the city and 14.4 mpg on the highway.
2. Bentley Arnage R - 6.7 litre, 8 Cylinder, 400 bhp, city 12 mpg, highway 16.8 - £116,300.
3. Mercedes Benz G Wagon – 5.0 litre, 8-cylinder, 292 bhp, city 15.6 mpg, 16.8 mph highway – price £43,300.
4. Maserati Quattroporte – 4.2 litre, 8-cylinder, 400 bhp – city 14.4 mpg, highway18.0 mpg - £52,400.
5. Chevrolet Silverado Crew Cab – 6.0 litre, 8-cylinder, 300 bhp 16.8 mpg city, 19.2 mpg highway – £19,300.
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