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Daihatsu plans sub-100g/km car
Date: 22 February 2007 | Author: Tristan Young
Daihatsu is set to launch the UK's first conventionally powered car with a CO2 output of less than 100g/km.
The ultra-low CO2, all-new Charade would qualify for the upcoming new lowest rate of company car tax set at 10% from 2008, and would have a zero rate for road tax and be congestion-charging exempt for London.
Due to be unveiled at the Geneva motor show next month, the city car uses the same 1.0-litre engine that powers the BusinessCar Award-winning trio of the Toyota Aygo, Citroen C1 and Peugeot 107.
However, the Charade is claimed to be lighter than its rivals and more aerodynamic. This, coupled to stop-start technology will give the Charade a sub-100g/km official figure.
Stop-start technology automatically stops the engine when the vehicle is stationary and then automatically re-starts the engine when the driver presses the accelerator. The system leads to significant improvements in fuel consumption and CO2 output in city driving.
The Charade would also qualify for a 100% discount on London's congestion charge if new proposals by the Mayor for 2009 are given the green light.
Until now, Daihatsu, operated in the UK by the same firm that runs Subaru and Isuzu, has sold only tiny numbers of vehicles to business customers.
Daihatsu hopes the introduction of the new Charade later this year will increase the brand's appeal to fleets.
