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Drive.com.au
INTRODUCTION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Drive’s Green Motoring Guide is not about 03 The small-car boom
walking to work and driving boring cars. FUELS ANALYSIS
05 Which fuel?
07 Ethanol: the pros and cons
Welcome to Drive’s eMagazine dedicated to the environment. 09 LPG: should you convert?
Adding a tinge of green to your car (and, no, we’re not talking about the colour) DRIVING TIPS
is the latest thing in an era of climate change. There’s little doubt the environment 10 How to drive economically
is one of the key focuses of car makers across the world. 25 ‘Green’ driver’s logbook
Yes, the environment is very much headline news in the 21st century. DRIVE’S BEST ‘GREEN’ CARS
In this eMag we give you everything you need to know about green motoring. We 13 Introduction
dispel the myths and give you the facts about different kinds of fuels, choosing an 14 Civic Hybrid v Prius
environmentally friendly car and even how you help by driving for the environment. 15 Light cars
16 Small and medium cars
Drive’s Green Motoring Guide is not about walking to work and driving boring,
underpowered cars; we realise people need and want cars, and that enjoyment is 17 Luxury sedans and small 4WDs
often part of the equation.
SCOOTERS
Instead, it’s about adding another dimension to your next vehicle choice and shedding 20 Comparison test
light on what is becoming an increasing focus when it comes to cars.
THE FUTURE
Cheers, The Drive Team 30 Hydrogen and fuel cells
3 Drive.com.au
SMAll-CAR bOOM
The winds of change
Australians are increasingly turning to more fuel-efficient
alternatives, writes PETER McKAY.
WITh peTrol hoverInG ArounD market for the fourth year in a row. Annual The availability of improved quality
or above $1.30 per litre and fuel-price scooter sales have now more than tripled in diesel fuel with low sulphur levels has
volatility a fact of life for Australian just three years. encouraged more makers to enter the
motorists, it’s no surprise that economical Then there’s the charge of diesel. In diesel market.
small cars are selling in unprecedented 2006 diesel passenger car sales jumped Adherents of diesels point to impressive
numbers. 17.9 per cent (and 10-fold from 2004 to fuel consumption figures, although this is
Droves of Australians are downsizing to 2006) on the back of diesel’s fuel efficiency countered a little by a slightly higher price
the cheap-to-buy-and-run vehicles in the reputation, which overwhelmed traditional of diesel fuel over regular unleaded.
light (Toyota Yaris-sized) and small (Toyota disadvantages of being sluggish, noisy, Those of a green tinge will be pleased
Corolla) segments. smelly, and expensive to buy. too that modern diesels have much
Some families are moving out of their
favoured big, roomy six-cylinders with
some reluctance; for them it’s a grudge Eco-friendly petrol-electric hybrids (such
purchase pushed by economic necessity.
others, though, find to their relief and as the Toyota Prius) are selling well. They
delight that today’s littlies are surprisingly
pleasant to own and drive. Sensible almost doubled in 2006, from 1,604 to 3,174
commuter cars in the big cities, they are
also pretty handy on the highways, too.
Airbags come as standard issue on all usually aided by a turbocharger, diesel- cleaner exhaust emissions than in the past.
of today’s tiddlers. life-saving electronic powered cars win over once sceptical Though they still emit some carcinogenic
stability programs (eSp) are also filtering motorists with their strong torque spread, particulates, they produce less carbon
down to these tiny tots. which gives easy cruising at low revs, and dioxide, responsible for greenhouse gases.
other, cheaper transport possibilities are impressive fuel economy. engine longevity is another strong suit;
also coming on to the radar. once the domain of trucks and off- generally diesels will chalk up 300,000 -
Scooters are experiencing a boom (see roaders, diesel power is now prominent in 400,000km without requiring attention.
our story on page 20). Scooters are the all passenger car segments, including the But car shoppers have found that in
highest-selling category of the road bike tiny tots. most cases diesel passenger cars are
4 Drive.com.au
SMAll-CAR bOOM RISE OF THE SMALL CAR - 1997 TO 2006
Toyota's new Corolla
outsold Commodore
Units, 000s
in June
priced higher than the petrol equivalents. the large-4WD market is growing. Ten years ago, the Australian new-car
Depending on the annual usage, it may hip pocket sensitivity was already landscape was quite different.
take years of ownership to cover that evident last year with one in every three In an overall 1996 new-vehicle market of
extra cost. new vehicle sales being light or small 650,049 led by Ford, Aussies still favoured
eco-friendly petrol/electric hybrids are cars, according to official figures from the their big cars.
also selling well – they almost doubled Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries. But the strength was with the upper
last year, from 1604 to 3174 - but won’t Across Australia last year, 116,086 light medium segment (Commodore and Falcon)
be a serious alternative to economical cars (12.1 per cent of total market and where close to 200,000 cars were sold,
petrol and diesel cars until they lose our fastest-growing segment) and 219,358 taking a dominant 40.4 per cent chunk.
their price premium. small cars (22.8 per cent) were sold. light cars (47,796 sold in the 1996
The third-generation prius, due in 2009, The small car segment is now the biggest calendar year) were often frowned upon for
is expected to get a cheaper lithium-ion among passenger cars. safety and comfort reasons and took just a
battery system. large family cars, while still popular 9.7 per cent share of passenger car market.
In 2006, lpG-powered vehicles leapt by with fleets and some private buyers, picked Small cars sales attracted 135,581 and
65 per cent to 13,698 (mainly to fleets) but up sales last year to 136,606, but the grabbed a 27.6 per cent share.
this source is invariably used in large cars. segment’s market share has shrunk over These days there is certainly no stigma
2007 is on track for a record of more the last decade and now sits at round attached to owning and driving a small
than one million new vehicle sales, all but 14 per cent. economy car.
Suzuki sales are surging,
mainly thanks to its cutely
styled and economical
Swift light car
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5 Drive.com.au
FUEl CHOICES
Fuel fighters
Ethanol, petrol, LPG or diesel?
Drive looks at the advantages and
drawbacks of each type of fuel.
PRO-PETROL ANTI-PETROL
petrol’s main attraction is its extensive availability, which oil is a dwindling resource and petrol produces more
means refuelling is quicker. Making petrol engines greenhouse gases than diesel or liquified petroleum gas (lpG).
more efficient can deliver immediate and wide-reaching The price of petrol is likely to keep rising as reserves dry up.
environmental benefits. BMW’s latest technology, direct- It is not as efficient as diesel and it contains carcinogens such
injection, 3.0-litre v6 produces fewer emissions and uses less as benzene. Crude oil spills can have disastrous environmental
fuel than the small, four-cylinder Mazda3. petrol produces consequences, while petrol spills have been known to
fewer nitrogen oxides and particulate matter than diesel. contaminate ground water supplies.
PRO-DIESEL ANTI-DIESEL
Diesel engines are around 30 per cent more efficient than The Australian Greenhouse office says diesel engines are a
petrol, which means you will spend less on fuel. per-litre diesel major source of particle matter emissions, which have been
creates more Co2 emissions than petrol, but because you use linked to cancer and respiratory disease. Diesel is a petroleum
less diesel than petrol it contributes less to global warming. product and has many of the same drawbacks as petrol. Diesel
low sulfur diesel and modern particulate filters have made fuel is often more expensive than petrol and diesel cars are
diesel cleaner in recent years. more expensive than their petrol equivalents.
PRO-ETHANOL ANTI-ETHANOL
ethanol’s main attraction is its renewability. It is made from Corn and grain are food sources, raising the ethical question
corn and grain, which can be regrown, unlike oil. researchers of using them for fuel while children are starving. ethanol
at the university of California estimate that replacing petrol production also creates its own greenhouse gas emissions;
with ethanol will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 13 per farmers drive diesel tractors, and electricity is used in the
cent. ethanol also produces up to 50 per cent fewer smog- refining process. production also requires plenty of water
forming emissions than petrol. The growing of crops has a – another scarce resource. ethanol fuel contains less energy
carbon offset effect, as the plants absorb carbon dioxide (Co2) than petrol, which means you need more of it (about 20-30
from the atmosphere while they grow. per cent) to travel the same distance you would using petrol.
PRO-LPG ANTI-LPG
lpG vehicles emit between 10 and 15 per cent lower greenhouse lpG is a less efficient fuel than petrol. An lpG Falcon uses
gas emissions than petrol vehicles and create only 20 per cent 15.1l/100km, compared with 10.7l/100km for the petrol
of petrol’s air toxic emissions. lpG is also cleaner than diesel, version. lpG versions of the Toyota Aurion and holden
emitting far fewer particulates. lpG is cheaper than both diesel Commodore are $4400 and $3900 more expensive than their
and petrol. The Government has incentives of up to $2000 to petrol equivalents. lpG engines are generally not as responsive
switch from petrol to gas. As a gas, lpG does not produce land as petrol engines, while the tanks take up boot space.
and water pollution. Australia has abundant resources of lpG.
PRO-HYBRID/ALTERNATIVES ANTI-HYBRID/ALTERNATIVES
hybrid petrol-electric engines are cleaner and more efficient hybrids are much more expensive than petrol vehicles. It takes
than diesel and petrol vehicles. In traffic, hybrids can run solely a long time for the cheaper fuel to pay you back for your initial
on electric power, reducing emissions dramatically. electric outlay. Batteries are expensive to replace. electric vehicles
vehicles can be recharged overnight and emit no emissions, are also limited in their range and indirectly use fossil fuels
while fuel-cell and hydrogen-powered vehicles emit only water through the electricity grid. Fuel-cell and hydrogen vehicles
from their tailpipes. can experience problems with cold starts.
6 Drive.com.au
FUEl CHOICES
Call me RON
An instant expert’s guide to the research
octane number.
research octane number, or ron, is
loosely defined as a measure of how much
power a fuel can deliver in an engine. The
higher the ron, the more power a fuel can
produce.
unleaded petrol generally comes in three
ron ratings: 91 for basic unleaded, 95 for
premium unleaded, and 98 for use in some
high-performance engines. There is also a
100 ron mix available.
unleaded petrol contains about 32
megajoules of energy per litre. one joule
is the amount of energy it takes to lift a
one-kilogram weight by 10 centimetres.
As a rule of thumb, the lower the number
of joules a fuel has, the more fuel a car’s
engine has to burn to cover the same
distance as a higher joule fuel.
lpG is a blend of propane and butane
gas. It has a ron of between 90-110, but
has less stored energy than petrol, about
22 MJ/l.
pure ethanol has a ron of about 115 and
produces about 19 MJ/l. An e10 mix of 10
per cent ethanol and 90 per cent unleaded
petrol has a ron of about 95 and produces
about 23 MJ/l.
With petrol prices on the rise, it seems everyone’s talking about diesel today.
For BMW it’s a conversation that started some time ago. Of course, our
conversation began a little differently. In typical BMW fashion we asked the kind
of hard engineering question you would expect from a company with the German
word for engine, motoren, in its name. “How can we coax BMW performance out
of a technology historically known only for economy?” Our answer was to win the
Nürburgring 24-Hour Race with a diesel 3 Series using innovative Common Rail
injection technologies. And we did it 8 years ago. Today this technology, now in its
second generation, is found in the five different models in our range that end with
the letter d. Each one delivers unexpected power, reduced emissions, excellent
mileage and a driving experience that’s uniquely BMW. A diesel that drives like a
BMW? That’s the power of d.
7 Drive.com.au
POllUTION
GREENHOuSE GAS EMISSIONS
Energy (mostly coal-burning): 48%
Other: 21.5%
Agriculture: 18%
Cars: 8%
Trucks: 4.5%
Source: Australian Greenhouse Office 2003 Emissions Report
Pollution: The dirty 10
Carbon dioxide is known as the greenhouse gas, but there are
various other pollutants.
1. Carbon monoxide: 5.6 million tonnes annually 6. Nitrogen: 240,000 tonnes annually
Most prevalent pollutant in Australia. It is an odourless, poisonous produced most commonly by agriculture in the Murray-Darling
gas that’s lethal in comparatively low concentrations. Motor vehicles basin (48.4 per cent of total emissions).
are the largest contributor (39.7 per cent) followed by fires (34%).
7. Ammonia: 130,000 tonnes annually
2. Volatile organics: 3.1 million tonnes annually usually produced by livestock, which account for 59.5 per cent
A precursor to ozone, is mainly released by natural, or biogenic, of the total.
processes in the soil, which accounts for 75.2 per cent of national
emission. Motor vehicles come a distant second, at 8.4 per cent. 8. Hydrochloric acid: 52,000 tonnes annually
overwhelmingly (93.5 per cent) produced by electricity generation.
3. Oxides of nitrogen: 1.4 million tonnes annually
usually produced during electricity generation (35.3 per cent of the 9. Toluene: 34,000 tonnes annually
total). Cars (25.5 per cent) are second. Is most often produced by motor vehicles (52.5 per cent). Solvents
and aerosols are the second most common source, accounting for
4. Sulphur dioxide: 1.4 million tonnes annually 7.8 per cent of the total.
Causes acid rain and is most commonly emitted by electricity
generation (46 per cent) and non-ferrous metal manufacturing (27.8 10. Phosphorous: 30,000 tonnes annually
per cent). Is mainly produced by water supply and sewage systems (30.5
per cent) followed by cropping in the Murray-Darling basin (20.3
5. Airborne particles: 1.1 million tonnes annually per cent).
Metal ore mining produces 21.6 per cent of the total, then burning.
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8 Drive.com.au
ETHANOl Swedish car maker Saab is pushing
its BioPower vehicles that can run
on 85 per cent ethanol (E85)
Climate sweetener?
Ethanol is produced from crops such as sugar cane and is claimed
to be greenhouse neutral. So why isn’t it the perfect fuel?
onCe ConSIDereD DAnGerouS To Brazilian drivers in dual-fuel ethanol starches or sugars. In Australia the main
engines, ethanol is now seen as something and petrol cars can buy whatever is sources of ethanol production are wheat
of an environmental saviour. But is this cheapest on the day. and sugar cane.
eco-friendly fuel the answer to the world’s holden exports an e25 Commodore to Australian ethanol production for fuel
environmental problems? Brazil, as the Chevrolet omega. use is heavily subsidised. An AusIndustry
ethanol is produced from agricultural Saab – another General Motors affiliate scheme introduced in 2003 has paid
crops such as sugar cane and corn, or forest – now has an e85 version of its 9-5 (called back the 38.143 cents a litre in excise
residues. It is claimed to be greenhouse the Biopower) in Sweden, where it is its that ethanol – and petrol – producers are
neutral – the carbon dioxide produced biggest seller. It’s also available in Australia, charged. The subsidy, which cuts out in
when it’s burned as a fuel is balanced by although finding the fuel is difficult. 2011, has handed more than $50 million
the carbon dioxide it extracts from the The Biopower uses 2.0- or 2.3-litre back to ethanol producers since 2003. A
atmosphere, using photosynthesis, in its turbocharged engines, which can run on litre of ethanol can be made for about 70
original, growing state. e85, pure petrol, or any blend in between. cents once the excise is reimbursed.
prime Minister John howard’s $1.6 e85 has a higher octane number – 104 last financial year, about 40 megalitres
billion energy plan includes grants of up ron – than petrol so the engines produce of fuel-grade ethanol was produced in
to $20,000 to service stations to encourage more power than their petrol counterparts. Australia - enough to fill about 16
them to upgrade their pumps to ethanol- however, as with lpG, ethanol contains olympic-sized swimming pools.
blended fuel. less energy by volume than petrol or
Australians can buy e10 – unleaded with diesel, so consumption increases by about Can I use ethanol?
a 10 per cent ethanol blend – which is safe 30 per cent. Most post-1986 vehicles are able to run on
to use in most cars built after 1986. Beyond Any chance of an e85 Commodore in up to e10-grade fuel without complications
10 per cent, problems can occur with holden’s future? The Federal Chamber of Automotive
corrosion of components in the fuel system. “When the market is ready for it … we Industries (see link at end of page) has an
ethanol, being an alcohol, is hygroscopic (it can certainly do it,” holden told Drive. online list of vehicles, including motorbikes,
absorbs water), which is what does Does Australia have enough arable land that are able to use either e5- or e10-grade
the damage. to produce sufficient crops for ethanol and fuel. europe limits ethanol use to e5 grade,
Fuel systems are relatively easily feed ourselves as well? That’s another story. affecting some imported cars.
modified to cope with higher percentages If you are unsure about using ethanol,
of ethanol and some countries have Why is ethanol cheaper? you should contact your vehicle’s
embraced it. Brazil, for example, has now ethanol in petrol in low concentrations is manufacturer.
mandated an e25 ethanol blend; e85 is regarded more as a fuel extender than a
also available, as is e100. fuel alternative. ethanol is made from grain link: www.fcai.com.au
9 Drive.com.au
lPG CONVERSION
The Federal Government is offering
a $2000 grant to those who want to
have their car converted to LPG.
LPG or not LPG?
Liquified petroleum gas is cheaper than fuel and is in plentiful
supply. But should you convert?
Buy new
Don’t get too excited about the Federal
Government grant for switching to lpG. As a rule, larger vehicles make more sense for
only about half of the top 20 new vehicles
sold in Australia are listed as being lpG- lPG conversion because they use more fuel
compatible. and have more space to fit the lPG tank.
holden and Ford sell lpG versions of
their respective Commodore and Falcon
models, while aftermarket kits are available while holden’s lpG system for the new Some suppliers also give extended
for the Mitsubishi 380, Ford Territory, Commodore, which is installed off-line at warranties on their systems.
Toyota prado and landCruiser. Toyota holden By Design, carries a $2000 rebate. lpG Australia has a list of accredited
stopped selling an lpG system on the holden’s fuel-injection system is superior suppliers on its website: http://www.
Camry v6 and the Avalon at the end of last to Ford’s older, less efficient, carburettor lpgautogas.com.au.
year and is not a fan of the fuel, although it style system. But fleets prefer the Ford parnell lp Gas Systems has announced
still has an lpG option on the hiace van. system because it is lpG-only, removing a new gas injection system suitable for the
no systems are available for popular the temptation for fleet drivers to drive conversion of holden Commodore vZ (both
smaller cars such as Toyota’s Camry, on petrol-only. six-cylinder and v8), Toyota prado and
Corolla and Yaris, Mazda3, hyundai hilux and Mitsubishi pajero, among
Getz or honda Civic. one company has Buy used other models.
developed an lpG option for the Mitsubishi Thinking of upgrading your car to lpG? other well-known aftermarket suppliers
lancer. An older, carburettor-style system here’s what you need to know. include Apollo, vialle (distributed through
on a new car will cost you about $2300 As a rule, larger vehicles make more sense Boral), Impco and SprintGas.
to $2800, while more modern, vapour for lpG conversion because they use more The lpG Australia website has a list of
injection systems are selling for between fuel and the cost of conversion is smaller as vehicles that are suitable for conversion to
$3500 and $3750. a percentage of the total cost of the car. lpG, although it is by no means exhaustive.
The Ford Falcon is the only car in Smaller cars also can’t readily The site, also has a payback calculator
Australia with a factory-fitted lpG option accommodate the extra space needed for that provides a rule of thumb guide to lpG
and at the moment it costs no more than lpG tanks. cost savings versus petrol.
a petrol system. The lpG system has a About 80 per cent of all conversions It also lets you find the nearest installer
ticket price of $1400, but the Government’s are large cars, four-wheel-drives and by postcode and plan a trip with lpG
$1000 rebate has been matched by a $400 commercial vehicles such as one-tonner service stations along the way.
discount by Ford dealers. utes. But there are also conversion kits for
The Ford system is the cheapest available older model Camrys and Avalons.
because it is a single fuel system and doesn't phil Westlake, lpG Australia’s industry
have a petrol tank or duplicated fuel lines. development manager, says it pays to shop Drive.com.au
But Ford has been handed the thin end around.
of the wedge in the Government’s rebate “Don’t accept the first quote and, like Fuel for thought
program. Because it is factory-fitted, the most things, the cheapest system isn’t LPG: should you convert?
Ford system only attracts a $1000 rebate, always the best,” he says. Who can use ethanol?
10 Drive.com.au
DRIVING TIPS
Economy drive
Don’t let rising fuel prices get you down. The Drive team reveals
10 ways to stop your car costing the earth.
CurrenTlY, The BeST WAY To reDuCe 222g/km by 2010 and is ahead of this motorists can help, without necessarily
the impact of cars on the environment target. selling the family sedan. here are 10 ways
will be to get the most out of the internal The strong growth in car sales in recent to make your current car more efficient.
combustion engine. The car-buying public years means that, despite lower emissions
is already making its own contribution. on a per-car basis, cars are contributing 1. DON’T DrIVe AS muCH
petrol price hikes have created a huge more to global warming than they did a It’s not rocket science but cutting out short
shift in buying patterns, with consumers decade ago because, quite simply, there journeys in the car can help the planet,
shunning larger cars in favour of more are more of them. your wallet and your health.
economical alternatives which, not Figures from the 2004 national research in Britain has found that a
coincidentally, emit fewer greenhouse gases. Greenhouse Gas Inventory show that quarter of all car journeys are less than
This trend already has created a emissions from cars have grown by 18 three kilometres. Cycling or walking to
reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per per cent since 1990. Yet passenger cars the shops can make a big difference in
car. The Federal Chamber of Automotive make up just 7 per cent of Australia’s total the amount of carbon dioxide you are
Industries says the average carbon dioxide greenhouse gas emissions. responsible for putting into the atmosphere.
output from motor vehicles has fallen from Cows and sheep make up 11.5 per cent Short journeys have more impact on the
250 grams a kilometre in 2002 to 230.5 and burning coal to create electricity environment for each kilometre because
grams last year. accounts for almost 50 per cent. fuel consumption and emissions are higher
The industry has a voluntary target of The good news is there are ways that during a car’s warm-up period. Your car
11 Drive.com.au
DRIVING TIPS
also pollutes more in the warm-up period back on the throttle once the car has gained drive off as soon as the car is started you’ll
because its catalytic converter, which enough initial speed. save fuel and lower your car’s emissions.
reduces nitrogen oxide and particulate If you race to every intersection and If you have passengers, don’t start the car
matter emissions, doesn’t work effectively plant your foot on the brake at the last until they are all inside.
until it heats up. minute, you will use more fuel than if you The same applies to heavy traffic. Idling
look ahead and try to anticipate the flow in gear at traffic lights can use more fuel
2. DITCH THe SeCOND CAr of traffic. The more you maintain your than driving normally, so if you’re in a
If you drive less than 10,000km a year, momentum, the less you have to use the traffic jam, switch the car off when possible.
sharing could be a suitable alternative to accelerator. It’s the shifting of a large mass
owning a second car. It may even be better from idle that uses the most petrol. 6. TrAVel lIgHT
financially to simply catch a cab or public on the open road, knocking 10km/h off extra weight means more fuel
transport for longer commutes. your top speed can significantly reduce fuel consumption. The Green vehicle Guide
The cost of fares would be less than the consumption, because your car is pushing calculates an extra 50kg can reduce fuel
running cost of a car. About 120,000 less air out of the way. efficiency by 2 per cent.
people already car-share in europe and Don’t bother with “angel-gearing” Don’t carry anything heavy in the car for
the united States. (putting the car in neutral down hills) or longer than you need to. At the end of each
In Sydney, GoGet has more than 40 turning the engine off. The latter can be trip, clear out any golf clubs, tool boxes or
outlets, mainly in the inner west and dangerous as modern braking and steering bicycles. Always remove roof racks, bicycle
eastern suburbs. once you’ve signed up and systems are power assisted. racks and roof storage boxes when they’re
been given a key, you can book a car from not being used and don’t tow a trailer
a pool of vehicles either over the phone or 4. WIND DOWN THe WINDOW unless you have to – they add to weight
online. There’s some debate about whether it is and aerodynamic drag and mean higher
The cars can be booked for as little as more fuel-efficient to have the windows fuel bills.
an hour and are parked in reserved spots wound down or the air-conditioner on to
in council car parks. Monthly membership keep cool. 7. AVOID PeAk HOur
varies from $15 to $30, depending on It is generally accepted that air- Driving in peak hour can have a disastrous
which plan you choose. The casual rate is conditioning increases fuel consumption by effect on your car’s fuel consumption.
$6.60 an hour, while frequent users pay up to 10 per cent – but winding down the Drive recently drove a family sedan along
$4.40 an hour. windows increases drag, which is also an the same route in and out of peak hour and
enemy of good fuel consumption. the results were astonishing. In peak hour
3. CHANge yOur DrIVINg STyle Some experts say driving with the we used 4 litres/100km more and the 10km
The way you drive has a huge effect on fuel windows down on the highway can route took 12 minutes longer.
consumption. If you race from every set of increase consumption by as much as 20 per If it is practical, working from home once
traffic lights, you will use significantly more cent. or twice a week can reduce emissions. If
petrol. The Government’s Green vehicle Guide you’re not at work, try to avoid driving
If you drive a manual, changing gears at says air-conditioning is a better option at in peak hours if possible. If you’re going
the right time will improve your mileage. speeds above 80km/h; other experts say somewhere unfamiliar, plan the route
As a general rule, experts recommend 50km/h. beforehand.
changing up at about 2500rpm for a petrol-
engined car and 2000rpm for a diesel. 5. DON’T IDle 8. mAINTAIN yOur CAr
With an automatic transmission, shifts Modern cars don’t need to be left idling A regularly serviced car will emit fewer
will be smoother and quicker if you ease when you start them in the morning. If you greenhouse gases and pollutants. have
1 Drive.com.au
DRIVING TIPS
your oil changed regularly and make sure
there’s plenty of water in the radiator.
TOP TIPS: DrIvIng yOur DOllar furTher oil and filters should also be replaced at
regular intervals.
If an engine runs outside its normal
High petrol prices shouldn’t be the only motivation for Australians temperature range it will be less efficient
to strive to drive economically. The well-being of Mother Earth, and pollute more.
and the reality that supply of fossil fuels is running low, should Tyre pressures are another, often
encourage motorists to go easy on the right foot. Here are some overlooked, cause of excess fuel
consumption. If your tyres are under-
tips for reducing your fuel useage: inflated they create more rolling resistance
(friction with the road surface) and your
• If your car is less than 20 years old, don’t bother car uses more fuel.
If you’re carrying additional passengers
warming it up or extra weight, it’s a good idea to stop
pump the tyres up a little. Your car’s service
• Use the throttle smoothly when accelerating; depress manual will have recommended pressures
the pedal lightly and slowly for heavier loads. on top of that, most tyres
can run marginally above manufacturer’s
specifications.
• Select high gears and low revs when ever possible under-inflated tyres, as well as those out
of alignment, also wear more quickly, which
• Look ahead to maintain momentum where possible means you are consuming more rubber and
adding to pollution.
• Switch your engine off if caught in a traffic jam or 9. NOTe fuel CONSumPTION
roadworks A lot of modern cars have average fuel
consumption read-outs in their trip
computers. If yours doesn’t, you can still
• At slower speeds consider winding the window down work out your fuel consumption manually
instead of using the air-conditioning (see page 22).
Do this for a month and you will begin
• Consider travelling slightly slower on freeways to reduce to take more notice of your driving style.
Filling up with premium unleaded petrol
wind drag and low viscosity (thickness) oils can
produce fuel consumption savings in some
• Remove unnecessary weight from your car, like golf clubs or instances.
toolkits and remove roof racks when not in use 10. uSe All THe SeATS
A third row seat is a bit like a four-wheel
• Avoid using your car for short trips and avoid peak hour where drive system. Most people say they want it
practical but very few use it, which means it ends up
being dead weight.
Car company research shows that more
• Ensure your vehicle is serviced and properly maintained, than 60 per cent of people who own seven
especially the tyre pressures; check your car’s tyre pressures seaters never use the third row. less than
regularly and ensure they’re towards the upper end of the 10 per cent say they use them often. But
a seven seater 4WD can be a fuel-efficient
manufacturer’s recommendation way of transporting people if all the
available seats are taken.
13 Drive.com.au
GOING GREEN
Lexus's GS450h petrol-
electric sedan proves
that 'green' cars don't
have to be boring
Choosing a ‘green’ car
The environment and fuel consumption now rate as leading
factors when people look to buy their next car.
CAr MAkerS Are ACuTelY AWAre oF per litre, for example, diesel produces has listed the most environmentally
the push towards environmentally-friendly more carbon dioxide when burnt than efficient vehicles in various vehicle
vehicles, especially as the environment petrol. (Carbon dioxide is regarded as categories.
continues to make front-page news. So the main greenhouse gas, the one that’s We also realise that environmental
it’s no surprise motorists are rating fuel causing global warming and the one that’s friendliness is not the only factor when
efficiency and the environment as leading had so much media attention lately.) considering a new vehicle. So we’ve
considerations when shopping for a car. But diesel vehicles typically use around compiled some of our multi-car road tests
like the energy-efficiency ratings on 30 per cent less fuel than a similarly-sized themed with environmental efficiency.
fridges and washing machines, all new petrol car, so overall you’ll generally be GvG lists here. With links to road tests
cars must have a fuel consumption label producing less carbon dioxide. According to the Government’s Green
on the windscreen in the dealership. If the Diesels aren’t, however, the golden bullet vehicle Guide, only eight new cars sold
environment is on your agenda, this should for green motoring. There’s a lot more in Australia achieve a maximum five-star
be high on your list when looking for a fuel to the diesel story than carbon dioxide. rating. of the top 50 ‘greenest’ vehicles,
efficient vehicle. While there’s much debate Diesels still emit more potentially deadly none are diesel and the top of the charts
about the accuracy of these claims in real- carcinogens than petrol vehicles is dominated by small, front-wheel-drive
world driving, the ratings at least provide a To read more, see Drive’s report on The machines.
comparative rating against other vehicles. Truth About Diesels and the associated only Jeep’s Compass bucks the trend,
As a general rule, the smaller the car, the story about Petrol versus Diesel. making a surprise appearance in the top
more fuel efficient it will be. That’s because other factors also come into play, such as 40 as the Guide’s most environmentally-
it’s carrying around less weight, which what emissions regulations it meets. friendly four-wheel-drive. What the
requires more fuel to move it every time To get a clearer picture of your car’s Compass lacks in fuel efficiency it makes
you accelerate. environmental friendliness, check the up for by meeting the latest emissions
When searching for a ‘green’ vehicle, Government’s Green vehicle Guide website, standards. (Click here to learn how
though, you’ll need to look further than just www.greenvehicleguide.com.au. the Green vehicle Guide rankings are
the fuel rating. To save you some of the legwork, Drive calculated).
THE 10 MOST ENVIRONMENTALLY-FRIENDLY VEHICLES*
Vehicle GVG rating Engine Fuel type Fuel consumption
Toyota Prius 5 1.5L, 4cyl hybrid ULP 4.4L/100km
Fiat Punto 1.4 (six-speed manual) 5 1.4L, 4cyl PULP 5.7L/100km
Fiat Punto 3/5-door 1.4 (5spd man.) 5 1.4L, 4cyl PULP 5.9L/100km
Peugeot 207CC GT 5 1.6L, 4cyl PULP 5.8L/100km
Citroen C3 NFU 5 1.6L, 4cyl PULP 6.2L/100km
Mercedes-Benz A150 5 1.5L, 4cyl PULP 6.7L/100km
Holden Astra CD/CDX manual 4.5 1.8L, 4cyl ULP 7.4L/100km
Honda Civic VTi manual 4.5 1.8L, 4cyl ULP 6.9L/100km
Honda Civic VTi automatic 4.5 1.8L, 4cyl ULP 7.2L/100km
Mercedes-Benz A200 4.5 2.0L, 4cyl PULP 7.4L/100km
* List compiled in June 2007. Green Vehicle Guide is updated constantly.
14 Drive.com.au
COMPARISONS
Best ‘green’ cars
Drive conducts more back-to-back, multi-car comparisons than any other
media outlet in Australia; it’s the best way to distinguish between new
vehicles. On the following pages is a selection of those comparisons that
focus on more environmentally-friendly vehicles – of all sizes.
HYBRIDS: HONDA CIVIC HYBRID v TOYOTA PRIuS
Crude oil heading towards $uS100 a
barrel? Bring it on. While oil industry
observers guess where Australian fuel prices
could end up, at least two car makers are
unfazed by the doom and gloom forecasts.
Toyota and honda, the makers of the only
two affordable petrol-electric economy cars
sold locally, are selling their hybrid vehicles
faster than they can import them.
Toyota’s prius has been the biggest-
selling hybrid in Australia - and the world
- for the past three years. The waiting list
here is now down to about four months.
Demand for the prius is so strong that low-
kilometre ex-government examples are
fetching close to new-car prices.
Coincidentally, $32,000 is the price
of the newest petrol-electric car on the
market, the honda Civic hybrid. having
made a disappointing debut with the
previous Civic hybrid, honda has high
hopes for the new model. It has returned to
the segment with a bigger car and a more
advanced hybrid system.
The philosophies of the prius and the
Civic hybrid are similar but the two cars
are different in the way they go about their
environmentally friendly business.
Both have small petrol engines
complemented by an electric motor, which
is recharged as the brakes are applied. But
after driving these two cars back-to-back in
this Australian exclusive first test, we were
surprised just how different they are.
read the full story.
15 Drive.com.au
COMPARISONS
LIGHT CARS
These are the new darlings of the have up to $2000 of extra value compared threatening injury. The Barina hatch was
Australian car market: they’re small and with last year; others are less attractive subsequently crash tested by the Australian
beautiful, but when you add on the $40 propositions. nCAp organisation and scored only two
or $50 cost of filling the tank they become one car we drove but didn’t rate is stars out of five.
drop-dead gorgeous, which might explain the holden Barina, which is a rebadged The Barina is the only new car in
why sales are booming. Daewoo kalos that holden imports from Australia with such a poor nCAp rating.
Small cars are the most cost-conscious korea. Since our previous comparison, the Despite respectable sales (thanks to
sector of the market, so the players are Barina sedan - a left-hand-drive model sold an attractive starting price) we won’t
always tweaking prices and equipment in europe as the Chevrolet Aveo - scored recommend it at any price. Most of these
lists to maintain a competitive edge. We two stars out of five in euro nCAp crash cars we’re more confident about.
dissected the class last october, but much tests. one star carried a strike-through,
has changed since then. Some models now which indicates a significant risk of life- read Drive's light-car comparison tests.
Lexus's GS450h petrol-
electric sedan proves
that 'green' cars don't
have to be boring
LIGHT DIESEL HATCHES
After years as the ugly duckling of cars still outnumber diesels by more than cars, offsetting the higher purchase price.
automotive fuels, diesel is now fashionable 30 to one but sales of diesel passenger cars To see what the fuss is about, Drive took
in Australia. For years it was the working almost doubled last year. four small european diesel hatches for a
man’s fuel, pumped into semi-trailers, Turbo-diesels typically produce more low- country drive. We pitted the top-selling
workhorse utes and heavy duty four-wheel- end torque than their petrol counterparts, volkswagen polo diesel against oil-burning
drives at a segregated bowser away from which means they are generally zippier versions of the all-new peugeot 207, the
polite society in the service station. off the mark and can cope better with Fiat punto and the Citroen C4, which has
recently, prestige european brands have hills. They also emit fewer greenhouse just received an all-new automated manual
rushed to import a range of small hatches, gases than petrol but more particle matter gearbox.
sedans and luxury sedans powered by pollution and there is growing evidence
diesel. Sales of petrol-powered passenger that diesels are fetching a premium as used See how these cars compare.
16 Drive.com.au
COMPARISONS SMALL CARS
It wasn’t always so but Australians now
buy more small cars than any other vehicle
type. over the past 10 years we’ve turned
away from “big cars for a big country” and
embraced hatchbacks and compact sedans
for the daily grind in increasingly congested
cities.
Between 1996 and 2006, sales of
hatchbacks and compact sedans increased
by 56 per cent, according to figures from
the Federal Chamber of Automotive
Industries.
For small cars, the growth spurt is
continuing.
The Toyota Corolla has been around for
40 years and for more than a decade has
been the small-car sales leader. With the
new, 10th-generation model now arriving
in dealerships we gathered the Corolla’s
likely rivals in their most popular and most
affordable guises (base model automatics)
to see how they compare.
read Drive's small-car comparison tests.
SMALL DIESELS
Sales of diesel-powered passenger cars
continue to grow as more families are
forced to consider the price of petrol. until
recently diesel engines were usually found
in big 4WDs or more expensive luxury cars.
That all changed when volkswagen
released a diesel version of the latest
generation Golf. Sales of the new-look
diesel Golf took off. It accounts for almost
30 per cent of all Golf sales.
Since its release, and subsequent
popularity, new diesel models have been
popping up everywhere. There are now
more than 10 diesel hatchbacks under
$50,000 on sale in Australia and recently
holden released its Astra diesel.
This test is essentially about what is
under the bonnet. We wanted to find out
how these cars stack up against their petrol
equivalents. Yet, as with all tests, the fit and
finish, ergonomics and general value for
money had a part to play as well.
See how these cars compare.
MEDIuM CARS, PART 1
Start shopping for a medium-sized sedan
and you’ll soon realise there aren’t enough
weekends in the year to do thorough
research. The market is overflowing with
options, with everything from a hyundai
to a baby BMW amid a smorgasbord of
offerings below $50,000.
priced between $32,990 and $39,990,
the volkswagen Jetta (essentially a
Golf with a boot) competes against the
established mid-sized sedans from honda,
Subaru and Mazda. Drive decided it was
time to get reacquainted with the lot.
In each case we’ve tested the flagship
model, keeping prices as close to $40,000
as possible.
See how these cars compare.
17 Drive.com.au
COMPARISONS MEDIuM CARS, PART 2
As their name suggests, medium cars tend to be middle-of-the-
road when it comes to excitement. They’re the cars we have to
have, instead of the ones we lust after.
But there is obviously some appeal. Sales of mid-sized cars have
increased 81 per cent in the past six years and sales of large cars
have decreased 46 per cent in the same period.
The rising price of petrol isn’t the only reason for the change
in buyer preferences (most mid-sized sedans have four-cylinder
power). They are affordable, well-equipped and relatively roomy.
The market has been buoyed by a raft of new models such as
the Mazda6, honda Accord euro, and the Toyota Camry, which
has been the biggest seller in its class for the last 13 years.
With that in mind it’s big news when a new player arrives on
the medium-car scene – especially when that player is holden.
holden has been weak in medium-car sales; its european-built
vectra was generally well regarded but it was overpriced and
buyers stayed away in droves.
holden’s answer to this dilemma is the korean-built epica. But
is it good enough to challenge the longstanding players and its
korean peers, hyundai and kia? To find out, we gathered the
$30,000-something mid-sized sedans - the cheap seats in the
medium-car class - and put the epica to the test.
See how these cars compare.
LuXuRY SEDANS - HYBRID & DIESEL
What better way to test the mettle of five prestige sedans, with a
combined valued of more than $500,000, than an overnight trip from
Sydney to Bourke and back?
The drought-stricken town is roughly 700km north-west of Sydney
as the crow flies, so there and back again in two days is a sizeable
undertaking. And that’s before we take long and winding roads less
travelled - for reasons of photography. All up, we covered nearly
2000km in each car in two very long days.
This trip was always meant to be more than a five-car comparison set
against a harsh country. It was also meant to test the perceived benefits
of diesels versus petrol-electric hybrids as economical alternatives to
petrol.
Is more economical diesel a passenger fuel force to be reckoned
with, or a european staple Australia does not want? Diesel is 30 per
cent more efficient than petrol and new models land every week yet
diesels account for barely one in 50 passenger car sales locally.
And what happens when we add a healthy dose of luxury to the
pot? Are Australians with $100,000 to spend on a prestige car really
concerned about fuel economy? Some say no but the car companies
think so, judging by the burgeoning number of prestige diesels hitting
our roads.
read Drive's comparison test.
SMALL 4WDs
one of the great ironies of modern motoring is that most people
who buy off-road vehicles spend 99 per cent of their time on the
bitumen.
Manufacturers sell vehicles on the dream of the great outdoors
adventure, all the while knowing that the reality is the peak-
hour crawl. For years people have bought it, handing over large
amounts of cash for technology they don’t need.
But buyer tastes are coming full circle. After jumping out of cars
and station wagons into 4WDs during the late ‘90s, Australian
motorists increasingly want their 4WDs to behave more like the
cars they abandoned.
new-generation soft-roaders are more about space, versatility,
driving position and road handling than ground clearance and
differential locks. They are giving people more of what they want
and less of what they don’t need. And they seem to have hit the
mark with buyers.
For this test, we’ve chosen a batch of family-friendly soft-
readers, each with a price tag close to $40,000.
See how these cars compare.
18 Drive.com.au
CARbON FOOTPRINT
Carbon calculators
What impact is your vehicle having on the environment? You can
find out by doing some fairly simple mathematics.
WorkInG ouT hoW Green Your CAr For example, a Toyota Corolla automatic lPg-POWereD VeHICleS
is a complex calculation. hatch using an average 7.7l/100km lpG is a relatively cheap fuel and one that
But a good way to work out what impact would consume 1540 litre of unleaded doesn’t emit much carbon dioxide per
your vehicle is having on global warming over 20,000km of driving. Therefore, that litre burnt. It’s also pretty clean; the lpG
is to calculate how much carbon dioxide it Corolla would emit 3542 tonnes of carbon industry claims it produces around one-
emits. dioxide into the atmosphere. fifth of the toxic emissions of petrol.
Carbon dioxide is the main greenhouse The downside is that lpG-powered
gas, the one that is responsible for global DIeSel VeHICleS vehicles typically consume around 40
warming. And, while cars are by no means For every one litre of diesel burnt 2.7 litres per cent more fuel than a similar petrol-
the primary producers of carbon dioxide of Co2 is emitted. however, because diesel- powered vehicle.
(that mantle goes to electricity stations, powered vehicles can use around 30 per For every one litre of lpG consumed,
industry and other outlets), they’re still cent less fuel than a petrol vehicle, a diesel 1.5 litres of carbon dioxide is emitted.
a contributor. will produce less greenhouse-producing To work out how much Co2 your lpG-
To work out how much carbon dioxide gases. powered vehicle is producing:
your car emits, you need to know how remember, though, diesel-powered (Number of litres used) x 1.5
much fuel you’re using. vehicles emit more of the harmful gases For example, a Ford Falcon e-Gas
Then it’s a simple calculation. Choose (including carcinogens). To learn more, (running on lpG) using an average
your poison and follow the guide below. see Drive’s detailed report highlighting The 15.1l/100km would consume 3020 litres of
Truth About Diesel. lpG over 20,000km of driving. Therefore,
PeTrOl VeHICleS To work out how much Co2 your diesel- that Falcon would emit 4530 tonnes of
For every one litre of petrol burnt 2.3 powered vehicle is producing: carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
kilograms of Co2 are emitted into the (Number of litres used) x 2.7 That’s more than the examples above,
atmosphere. petrol is, however, a relatively For example, a volkswagen Golf but the Falcon is also a much larger, more
clean form of fuel compared with diesel, 1.9 diesel automatic using an average powerful vehicle. To put it in perspective,
emitting less in the way of noxious gases. 5.8l/100km would consume 1160 litres of a regular, petrol-powered Falcon
To work out how much Co2 your petrol- diesel over 20,000km of driving. Therefore, would consume 2180 litre of unleaded
powered vehicle is producing: that Golf would emit 3132 tonnes of carbon (10.9l/1000km) and emit 5014 tonnes
(Number of litres used) x 2.3 dioxide into the atmosphere. of carbon dioxide over the same distance.
19 Drive.com.au
CARbON FOOTPRINT
pollution from motor vehicles is a lot more emissions standards on July 1, 2008. consumption rating is provided. Typically
than just carbon dioxide. There are many however, many new petrol vehicles these figures are conservative – that is,
other gases – such as carbon monoxide, already meet the euro Iv standards. So if you’ll probably use more than the figures
hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide - that are you want a choose an even cleaner car, go claim in real-world driving.
harmful to humans and our environment. for one that meets the more stringent euro So, as a general rule, take more notice
As a general rule, the newer a vehicle, Iv emissions standards, further reducing of the “city” figure rather than the
the cleaner it will be – and not just by the noxious gases you’re belching into the “highway” one.
a little bit. That’s because emissions environment. For cars built from 2004 onwards,
regulations have been getting stricter looking to upgrade your car? Check use the Government’s Green vehicle
over the years; to see just how far our below to see how much fuel your car is Guide database to compare claimed fuel
emissions standards have come, have a likely to use. consumption ratings. The GvG database
look at the Government’s table outlining also gives a more detailed account of a
the regulations since 1972. (http://www. uSeD CArS vehicle’s environmental friendliness.
dotars.gov.au/roads/environment/impact/ If you’re looking at buying a second-hand
emission.aspx) car built between 1986 and 2003 you can NeW CArS
The latest emissions regulations for light check the Government database to see its To get an idea of how much fuel a new
diesel vehicles is the euro Iv standard, claimed fuel useage. The more fuel a car car will use and its environmental impact,
which came into play in 2006. petrol- uses, the more carbon dioxide it will emits. go to the Government’s Green vehicle
engined vehicles will have to meet euro Iv For most cars, a “city” and “highway” fuel Guide database.
0 Drive.com.au
SCOOTERS
Saddlin’ up
Scooters can provide fuel-efficient transport for the city while you keep
your car in the garage. Drive tests a group of the best two-wheelers.
ApArT FroM BeInG CheekIlY TrenDY with no deposit, repayments would range enough to hold its own on the motorways,
again these days, fuel-thrifty motor scooters between $35-$40 a week. and says four-stroke engines are the go
are also popular with city commuters This is not far removed from the price because they’re not as smelly. Gardner also
dismayed by soaring fuel prices. of a weekly train or bus ticket. And with suggests buying a machine with big wheels
The cost of public transport, and ever- public transport, there’s nothing left at the “so it doesn’t fall in the potholes”.
present traffic snarls, are also helping end to show for it. naturally, scooters are not the
scooter sales. Then there are the associated lower complete solution to road transport and
In some states – South Australia, running costs, which flows right through environmental issues.
northern Territory, West Australia and to insurance, parking and servicing. Yes, they’re easier to park, but they’re
Queensland - you can ride 50cc scooters on Surprisingly perhaps, Wayne Gardner, also not much fun on a cold, wet day.
car licences, but all machines in the class the 1987 world motorcycle champion, is Still, if you need a large family car, a
are speed limited to 50km/h. a scooter fan. “If I were a regular Sydney scooter can make a good addition for
using as an example the purchase of a commuter, I’d ride a 250cc scooter all the those shorter, solo trips.
new vespa lX125 ($6690 including $700 time. They’re nimble and comfortable and Drive tested some popular scooters
on-road costs comprising rego, stamp duty, you’re shielded from the wind.” on the road to find out which is the best
plate fee and dealer delivery) on finance, he recommends a 250cc which is fast two-wheeler for the city.
1 Drive.com.au
SCOOTERS
HYOSuNG SF50R RALLY – $2490*
Taiwan-based hyosung is a relative newcomer to the
Australian market. now attempting to reinvent itself
as a performance bike badge, its roots are in motor
scooters. The SF50r rally’s mix of red, black and grey
body work give it a hotchpotch look.
Switchgear inside the grips includes high and low-
beam lights, indicators with audible signal and cancel
button, emergency indicators and an engine cut-off.
oddly, it also has a passing light to flash the high-
beam. There’s no fuel gauge, only a fuel warning light.
The awkward analog speedo and warning light cluster
sit in front of the handlebars. on the road, the rally
performed quite well, with good acceleration and a
firm ride. The lack of a top box is disappointing, but
under-seat space is enough to take a full-face helmet.
Self-retracting side-stands like that fitted to the rally
are convenient, but it only takes one bump to bring
the bike crashing down.
PEuGEOT LuDIX SNAKE – $2990*
By far the coolest-looking bike on the block. At 80kg,
the peugeot is the lightest of the bikes tested, but for
that you sacrifice just about all useful luggage space.
The tall, thin stance makes the ludix look aggressive
and the performance squeezed from the tiny engine
capacity makes a good effort at supporting the looks.
The big tyres and large suspension travel easily soak
up the worst bumps. But the fight against weight has
another victim; there’s no side-stand, only the centre
stand. A good grab rail to help pull it onto the stand
is a poor compromise. The luggage hook under the
handlebars is good, but the high ridge in the centre
of the floor means the shopping will hang on one
side or the other. The front light is a small but bright
projector lamp. The speedometer and indicator lights
are mounted on the front of the bike and you have
to peer over the handlebars to see them. Switchgear
includes indicators with cancel button and - a horn.
That’s it. The ludix has a traditional petcock over a
low-fuel warning light.
PIAGGIO ZIP 50 – $1990*
The Italian-made Zip 50 was in the top three in terms
of weight, tipping our pre-test scales at 95kg. Its
styling suggests it is something akin to a cut-down
vespa. There’s fewer gauges, less switch gear, only
average pulling power and a very good, comfortable
ride. There’s a running light on each side of the main
headlight, which has both high and low beam. The
indicators are good, but set low on the front and
controlled by a hard-to-reach switch with a cancel
button. Finding the Zip 50’s hidden ignition slot is
tricky, but once there a gentle push of the key opens the
good-sized but fussy glove box. This bike has the best-
looking - and functional - shopping-bag hook, a sort of
split circle that swings out of the front firewall.
on the well-located instrument cluster, a low-fuel
warning light replaces a fuel gauge. Filling up is a
risky affair; the filler pipe is right beside the under-seat
storage space. one splash and it’s all over the contents
of the space under the seat.
Drive.com.au
SCOOTERS
SYM Mio 50 – $2790* TGB 101S – $1990*
The korean-made Mio 50 (right, top) like the hyosung, the TGB (left, bottom)
wraps a good overall package in a retro – its name is derived from the company
look. At 90kg, it’s not impressively powered that makes the bike, Taiwan Golden Bee
and the bike tips into corners willingly, – deviates from the traditional road-bike
but it has a few nice touches including a look. The sticker on the side of the 90kg
colour-matched top box (with a separate bike describes it as an off-road adventurer,
key) and a clever little cover that closes off but it’s certainly competent on the road.
the ignition system. Switch gear includes The suspension provides a good, firm
low and high beam, engine cut-off and ride while the brakes are below par, but
an audible indicator, which makes up for overall its performance was up with the
the lack of an indicator cancel button. The best of them. The twin front headlights are
rear-mounted fuel filler cap is operated by complemented by twin rear brake lights,
turning the ignition switch anti-clockwise, and indicator lamps are mounted high.
an d several laps on our test route were There’s no shopping-bag hook in front of
made with an open fuel cap after the the rider, but there is a top box that uses a
ignition was turned too far. Filling the separate key. Switch gear includes indicator
bike with fuel is awkward due to the large with cancel button and audible signal, high
overhang of the top box. other rider aids and low beam and engine cut-off, and on
include a shopping-bag hook, fuel gauge the dash there’s a fuel gauge. under the
and a headlight and running light on the seat there’s room for a full-faced helmet.
front. under the seat is roomy and can take The one drawback is the fuel filler cap. To
a full-faced helmet, and the top box has access it, you first have to unlock and lift
room for a half-face helmet. There’s also a the seat, and then unlock the fuel cap
small under-seat storage shelf. cover at the back of the seat.
VESPA LX50 – $3890*
Wow, look at that price! And for it, at 100kg, you also
get the heaviest bike of this lot. The retro styling of
the Italian-made vespa harkens back to the scooter
maker’s roots and still provides a functional vehicle.
The front indicator lamps sit low on the body and
in traditional vespa style the headlight swings with
the handlebars. The floor pan on the bike has a high
centre ridge, and there’s no shopping-bag hook. like
the piaggio, the switches on the handlebars are placed
too far away from the rider’s hands, as our more petite
testers discovered. Switches include high and low
beam and indicator with cancel button. Instruments
include a digital clock and fuel gauge. There’s that
pesky self-retracting side-stand again, but the seat and
chromed rear grab rail are excellent. The fuel filler cap,
like the piaggio, is under the seat, but at the rear, well
away from the under-seat storage area. Storage is big
enough for a full-faced helmet. The vespa’s on-road
performance is good, with excellent ride and
adequate acceleration.
THE VERDICT
It’s easy to rush in and pick the vespa as the stand-
out all-rounder of the lot tested here, but bankrolling
that decision is where it all falls apart. All our testers
liked the peugeot, but, as an everyday ride, the lack of
stowage is an issue that just won’t go away.
The TGB has promise, but again it’s the lack of
everyday practicality that lets it down slightly. The
hyosung lacks practicality, but at least it can take an
after-market top box. The SYM Mio 50 tries hard, and
is a well-presented package, but the thought of all that
petrol gushing out the accidentally opened filler cap
haunts us. That leaves us with the piaggio Zip 50. It’s
a decent all-rounder that borrows all the best bits
from the vespa without the price premium. And for
us, that’s enough.
3 Drive.com.au
THE FUTURE
Chevrolet’s 2007 Volt concept car
relies almost entirely on electricity,
with a petrol engine acting as a
generator if daily use exceeds 60km.
Electric dreams
The environment is now regular headline news, prompting the
automotive industry to get serious about building earth-friendly
vehicles powered by electricity and hydrogen.
When IT CoMeS To The envIronMenT, But it’s generally accepted that using electricity, with the only by-product being
vehicles have made massive advances in the hydrogen as a fuel is the preferred option water and heat. In reality, it’s a different
last few decades. Back in the 1960s, cars when it comes to negating the impact story.
were spewing out all manner of noxious of vehicles on the environment. And, Fuel cells are popular in concept cars,
gases, and carbon dioxide (Co2) emissions while hydrogen can be used in a regular as manufacturers sprout their green
weren’t even a consideration. internal combustion engine, it’s fuel credentials. They’ve also been used in
In 2007 cars meet much stricter
emissions standards.
Moving forward, the goal is for a zero Different car manufacturers are going down
emissions vehicle. Indeed, some thought
the automotive industry would have very different paths in the quest for the same
already achieved the seemingly impossible environmental goal of a zero-emissions vehicle.
goal of building cars that produce nothing
harmful in their everyday use (actually
constructing the vehicle is another part of cells that hold the most hope, prompting some commercial applications (buses,
the equation altogether), but the reality the likes of Toyota, honda, Mercedes- for example) and tested in cars driven by
seems a long way off. Benz, volkswagen, Ford, General Motors ‘regular’ people.
Different manufacturers are going down and others to invest heavily in further But affordable, viable fuel cells are a
very different paths in the quest for the developing the technology. long way off. They’re hugely expensive
same, environmentally friendly goal of In theory, a fuel cell is quite simple – it to produce (up to $1 million for a single
producing a zero-emissions vehicle. performs a chemical reaction to create motor), which is by far their biggest hurdle.
4 Drive.com.au
THE FUTURE
works like a generator, recharging the
Industry predictions are that 2020 is a likely batteries.
of course, there are many other
timeframe for the first commercially viable alternative fuels, all capable of offering
fuel-cell-powered vehicles to reach dealerships various environmental benefits.
ethanol is one such fuel. Being derived
from plant products, ethanol can lay
Another negative with a fuel cell is that to automobiles. claim to not producing any carbon
it can require a lot of energy to produce the Toyota already leads the world in the dioxide when burnt, prompting various
hydrogen they require, negating the benefits production of hybrid vehicles, recently oil companies to offer a blend of ethanol
made when it’s used in the vehicle. notching more than 1 million sales, led (typically 10 per cent) with regular petrol.
Still, it hasn’t stopped honda promising predominantly by the prius hybrid. honda, There’s also bio-diesel which, as its
it will have an affordable fuel cell on the too, has a firm foot in the hybrid side of the name suggests is a cleaner form of diesel
market by circa-2010. green ‘race’. produced from plants.
Well informed predictions from industry Another shorter-term take on the zero There’s little doubt the environment
pundits are that 2020 is a more likely emissions vehicle is a hybrid adapted to will continue to be the focus of car makers
timeframe for the first commercially- work almost purely as an electric vehicle. for years to come, in much the same way
viable fuel cell-powered vehicles to arrive one such vehicle, the Chevrolet volt, was as safety was a focus during the 1990s.
in dealerships. And even that could be previewed as a concept car at the 2007 It’s an exciting race and a new
optimistic. Detroit motor show, prompting some challenge for the automotive industry.
In the meantime, expect car makers to comments of “why didn’t we think of that”. Who wins that race and how remains
invest heavily in the development of hybrid The volt is relatively simple in its concept, to be seen. We can’t wait for the
vehicles. once seen as a stepping stone, but supremely effective in its potential chequered flag.
hybrids are increasingly considered a very promise of reducing emissions.
effective way of reducing vehicle emissions. The volt still has a regular petrol engine Drive.com.au
As the name suggests, a hybrid combines but, for the majority of its life, that petrol
two technologies – a regular engine with an engine is never used. Instead, it’s plugged
electric motor – to deliver economy benefits in to a powerpoint at home (or work) and Hybrids breaking sales records
of up to 50 per cent. recharged each night, allowing a range of How to beat bowser blues
Some of the world’s biggest car makers, around 60km of city driving, more than Cut fuel bills and insurance costs
including General Motors, Ford, Mercedes- satisfying most people’s daily needs. If you Geneva show looks to the future
Benz and volkswagen are working to need to drive further, or want to take the New York motor show thinks green
add or boost their hybrid offerings as the volt on a longer journey, there’s back-up Rubbery figures
environmental heat is increasingly applied from the petrol engine, which effectively
Fuel cells, which perform a
chemical reaction to turn hydrogen
into heat and electricity, have been
previewed in many concept cars
– including the 2006 Honda FCX
(above). But they’re a long way
off being commercially viable.
Left: The fuel-cell stack from the
hydrogen-powered FCX.
5 Drive.com.au
'GREEN' lOGbOOk
Green driver’s logbook
Keep track of your car’s environmental performance. By monitoring
your fuel useage, you can see how much carbon dioxide your car is
producing. The less the better. You can also use the logbook to spot
trends changed by your driving habits or driving conditions.
Kilometres travelled Fuel used (litres) Average fuel (L/100km) Kilograms of carbon Driving conditions Extra weight on board
dioxide produced (city, highway, hilly, hot, (number of persons x
multiplied by total litres cold, etc) 80kg) plus extra kg
of fuel used: x 2.7
(diesel) or 2.3 (petrol)
or 1.5 (LPG)