CO2 kings headline British motor show

Date: 22 July 2008   |   Author:

Ford Fiesta

Ford's new Fiesta Econetic, spearheading a host of business car launches at the show, will emit just 98g/km of CO2, putting it 1g/km below the VW Polo Bluemotion and Seat Ibiza Ecomotive.

The all-new Fiesta will be a key attraction at the London event, and the Econetic will be making its world debut alongside the less CO-friendly 300PS Focus RS.

The Fiesta Econetic also claims an average 76.3mpg, which will make it the most economical mainstream car on sale when it arrives before the end of this year. The diesel Smart Fortwo is expected to better the Fiesta's figures when it's launched in the UK next summer, although that's only a two-seater as opposed to the five-seater Fiesta.

The emissions and economy improvements come about through a series of measures including lowered suspension and aerodynamic styling to reduce drag, low-rolling resistance tyres and low friction oil. The new model is the third Econetic variant, following the 119g/km Focus and 139g/km Mondeo. Expect the Fiesta's pricing to be around the £11,850 mark for the three-door, rising £600 for the five-door, placing the Econetic between its Seat and VW rivals in P11D terms.

But the green focus won't be confined to the Ford stand, with Seat revealing its third Ecomotive model, the Alhambra, and Honda using the event to give a global debut to a new eco-friendly two-seat concept car called OSM.

The Japanese brand is trying to prove fun driving dynamics and low emissions aren't mutually exclusive.

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