Drum role please... the What Car? Green Award 2012 winners have been confirmed. But
before we get carried away by funky drumbeats there are a few things to consider. Green
awards, of course, focus on low fuel consumption and carbon emissions. However, in real
world non-laboratory conditions these can vary from the manufacturer figures. What Car?
therefore created the “TrueMPG” programme. This monitored real life performance over
a fifty-mile route that included motorway and urban driving. Data was collected via bulky
equipment fitted externally to cars. Furthermore, Green Award winners also excel in areas
such as handling, comfort, and practicality. Must be something for carrying our drum, then.
The
Skoda Citigo 1.0 60 Greentech SE 5dr claimed the Supermini title. Official figures
are 68.9mpg/96g/km, and it managed 53.3mpg/130g/km in TrueMPG tests. Whereas this
sounds worse than a bad drummer it is fair compared to its rivals. The Citigo has also
been praised for its “superb ride and refinement”. Furthermore, the
BMW 116d Efficient
Dynamics took the Small Family win thanks, in part, to its “generous levels of equipment”.
The superb handling has been recognised too. Official figures are 74.2mpg/99g/km and it
returned 56.9mpg/139g/km in the real world. Sounds better than the world's top drummer.
The
Ford Mondeo 1.6 TDCi 115 Eco Zetec S/S took the Family Car title as it is the “best
all-round family car out there”. What Car? particularly like its “steering feedback”
and “perfectly weighted controls”. TrueMPG results are 51.2mpg/150g/km compared
to official figures of 65.7mpg/114g/km. That brings us to the
Toyota Prius+ 1.8 VVTi T4
which claimed the MPV category. Why? Because it is “effortless to drive thanks to its light
steering, easy manoeuvrability, and automatic gearbox.” Official figures are 68.9mpg/96g/
km and it managed 54.6mpg/125g/km on the What Car? fifty mile test route.
The
Mazda CX-5 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150 SE-L claimed the SUV title. Strengths include “plenty
of standard equipment” such as automatic lights/wipers, cruise control, plus front and
rear parking sensors. This workhorse also managed 47.2mpg/171g/km in real world tests
compared to 61.4mpg/119g/km. Finally, the
BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics auto claimed
the Executive title. It was therefore praised for its “impeccably built cabin”, performance,
and cosy ride. Official figures are 68.9mpg/109g/km and it returned 56mpg/141g/km in
TrueMPG tests. Now wonder this executive lifestyle statement loves to bang its own drum.
By Stephen Turvil
Fri, 26 Oct 2012
