NEIL DOWLING

ENVIRONMENTALISTS may tell you the best way to commute is by walking or cycling … but where’s the fun in that?
Carefully choosing a car that is economical, comfortable, roomy, fits into your green aspirations and affordable isn’t easy. But whatever you choose, it beats walking to work in the rain and cycling under a red-hot Perth summer sun.
There are four basic choices:
1. Small conventionally-powered car (Mazda2, Ford Fiesta, Honda Jazz and so on) – cheap to buy, run and repair. There are no complex engines and that means you won’t frighten the mechanic or incur the financial wrath of new-age technology. They save fuel by being small capacity engines in aerodynamic cars with fuel-sipping technology such as low rolling resistance tyres, stop-start (where the engine automatically turns off at the traffic lights and restarts when required) and lightweight components.
2. Hybrids (Toyota Prius, Honda Civic Hybrid, Lexus) – clever technology that has survived a decade of use in Australia without any major problems. Toyota says it is yet to replace a battery in cars as old as 10 years. Hybrids join a petrol engine with an electric motor. The extra power of the motor means the petrol engine can be smaller, so uses less petrol.
3. Electric (Mitsubishi i-MiEV, and soon Nissan Leaf, Renault Fluence ZE, Holden Volt) – runs by plugging it into the power point overnight. Good for short distances (about 120km is the max), quiet, small and efficient. More models are coming and there are public charging points for cars that feel drained. Ecologically perfect if the electricity comes from sustainable sources (not in Perth).
4. Diesels (Volkswagen Golf, models from Ford, Holden, Kia, Hyundai, Citroen, Peugeot and so on) – these are inherently fuel miserly cars that can go amazing distances between refuelling. They are equally as efficient in manual and automatic transmission versions and also employ some tricks – such as stop-start systems, low-resistance tyres and aerodynamic aids – to further reduce fuel use.

Heard the saying about running on the smell of an oily rag? Here’s the cars that can (almost) do just that. NEIL DOWLING reports

CAST off memories of the snail pace of smoke-belching diesel trucks or the lethargic acceleration of the old school bus.
Diesels are not what they were. The term – after inventor of the compression-ignition engine, Rudolf Diesel – applies to the type of engine and the type of fuel.
Such engines are noted for impressive torque (pulling power, hence the role in trucks) and low fuel consumption. Turbocharging, high-pressure injection of the fuel and smart electronics have overhauled the old image.
Today, you’re just as likely to get dragged off from the traffic lights by a diesel-engined car. Here’s just three of a growing range of diesel-engined passenger vehicles:
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF BLUEMOTION ($28,990): Golf can be played in a range of colours but to make it efficient, the best colour is blue.
In Volkswagen-speak, it’s BlueMotion, which is the in-house term for selected models tuned for maximum fuel economy and minimum emissions.
The Golf BlueMotion costs $28,990 – $1000 more than the Golf 77TDI that it replaced – but comes only with a manual gearbox. If that makes you sad, getting 3.8 L/100km will quickly put back your smile.
The BlueMotion is a feast of fuel-miser technology – low-rolling resistance tyres, a stop-start system, brake energy recuperation, slippery aerodynamics, tall gear ratios and a gearshift prompt indicator – are added to the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel Golf variant.
By comparison, the BlueMotion gets 3.8 L/100km while the old model recorded 4.9 L/100km. But it’s not just a boring eco-car to drive. The BlueMotion is a brisk performer with excellent handling and ride comfort.
It works as well in city traffic as it does lopping along a country road.
The pity is there is no automatic version, because it would make city motoring, surely BlueMotion’s heartland, more convenient.

HYUNDAI i30 ($23,590): This is a brand new, just out of the box model that replaces one of Australia’s top-selling small hatchbacks.
The German-designed hatchback sits on the same platform as its predecessor but is bigger where it counts, so that means increased cabin room for occupants and 11 per cent more luggage space.
But while it’s grown up a bit, the diesel engine has been made more economical. It gets an updated 1.6-litre turbo-diesel that Hyundai claims is capable of 4.5 L/100km as a six-speed manual and 5.6 L/100km when optioned with the six-speed automatic.
Key features include the Australian-tuned Flex Steer power steering which offers three driver-selected steering calibrations – normal, for the majority of drivers; comfort, that lightens steering feel for parking; and sport, which increases steering weight and feedback.

MAZDA CX-5 Maxx Sport ($39,040): These are selling like hotcakes because they are – at least in diesel form – very lively, economical and practical wagons.
There’s no doubt the CX-5’s success is due to it mimicing the appealing Mazda3 hatchback. But it’s a better vehicle than its sister thanks to smart engineering under the SkyActiv banner.
The technology covers body, engine, transmission, suspension and platform. In the CX-5 diesel’s case, it includes a fascinating bi-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine that when mated to a six-speed automatic, gets a mere 5.7 L/100km.
That makes it a class-leader in fuel economy, especially for an all-wheel drive. But it’s not the CX-5’s only trick. The SUV repeats the genre’s advantage of being very versatile and is compact enough to handle city traffic conditions.
It is also very comfortable and roomy – with excellent rear seat leg and head room – and though the cabin could be a bit more stylish, is clinical and simple to operate. The rear seats split (depending on the model, it’s 60/40 or 40/20/40) and fold flat so it’s a practical machine for carting luggage.
On the road the diesel version far exceeds the petrol-engine sibling in terms of performance. The diesel is more responsive and the substantial 420Nm of torque makes it scoff at carrying extra weight and is better suited to towing.

Hybrid isn’t necessarily a rose, but its fuel saving and environmental benefits can smell just as sweet. NEIL DOWLING reports.

SOME people get uncomfortable coming to grips with the term “hybrid” and its threat of grappling with a new tier of technology.
Don’t worry yourself – a hybrid car just uses two power sources and to you, the owner and driver, it requires almost no understanding.
Hybrids drive the same as a conventional car – perhaps a bit quieter and with a few strange and colourful dashboard lights – and can offer considerable fuel savings for inner city and suburban owners.
Just one statistic to contemplate before investing the extra money in a hybrid – it will take 11.5 years before the Honda Civic Hybrid’s fuel economy makes up for the $8000 premium over the petrol-only Civic. It’s just as long comparing the Prius with the Corolla. That said, among the hybrid choices are:
TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID ($34,990): Clever Toyota has added the hybrid drive system to a car we all know. Driving a Camry Hybrid is no different from the normal automatic Camry and shares the same seven airbag, five-star crash rating and a full-size spare wheel.
The upsides are better fuel economy. Toyota claims 5.2 L/100km of standard petrol compared with 7.8 L/100km for the standard Camry. It’s also quieter and at $34,990, about $1500 more than a similarly-equipped petrol-only Camry.
But the Hybrid model can only tow 300kg and the boot is slightly smaller.
In addition to using one-third less fuel than the petrol Camry, it costs $130 for each of the five services for the first four years or 75,000km.
And as a final sweetener, the latest Camry Hybrid comes with very cheap 2.9 per cent finance and free 12-month comprehensive car insurance (valued at $833) until June 30.

HONDA CIVIC HYBRID ($35,990): The latest Civic is a big jump from the average build quality of its predecessor. It now looks less budget class, is up on quality and just feels a far better car to drive.
It uses two power sources – a petrol engine and an electric motor – but unlike the Toyota Camry (and Prius) which can separate the two whenever needed, in the Civic Hybrid they stay working together.
This is technically simpler but doesn’t equal the Toyota Prius’ miserly fuel consumption. The Civic Hybrid gets 4.4 L/100km against the Prius at 3.9 L/100km.
The new Civic Hybrid is more spacious than the old model and gets smaller batteries so the boot is bigger. But the rear seats don’t fold down to increase luggage space.
It gets a five-star crash rating, electronic stability and traction control, brake assist and six airbags but has a space-saver spare.
LEXUS RX450h Prestige ($89,788): The hybrid Lexus SUV comes in three models, Prestige, Sports ($96,787) and Sports Luxury ($108,900) but all share the same hybrid drive of a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine mated to an electric motor. It’s claimed to get an average of 6.4 L/100km, a smidge more than a Ford Fiesta with a manual gearbox.
The two can separate so can drive the SUV independently or together.
It’s not a cheap carriage – making one wonder about the financial need to save on fuel costs – but rewards the owner with top-end features, depending on the model chosen.
The Sports Luxury delivers one of the car industry’s best audios – from Mark Levinson – and cossets the front-seat occupants in heated and ventilated perforated leather seats, adaptive cruise control, head-up display of speed, satellite navigation, automatic xenon headlamps with cornering function, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors with camera and so on.
It has several safety systems to prevent a crash and minimise human damage, such as a pre-collision system, 10 airbags and lots of words joined together to create meaningless acronyms that make serious attempts at keeping occupants free of injury.
The Lexus is beautifully built, has a brilliant customer-care program in Perth, has a four-year warranty and is an SUV that is eerily quiet, effortless in performance and as comfortable as your favourite loungechair.

 
Don’t dismiss petrol cars as they may just just as economical in your case. NEIL DOWLING reports
BUYERS seeking economy cars may steer away from conventional petrol engines but in fact they can be more cost-effective than some alternative-fuelled cars.
The general rule of thumb is that motorists travelling less than 30,000km a year are probably better off with a petrol car than a diesel.
Not everyone fits this mold, however, as country drivers may tend to diesel because of its fuel economy and especially the extra distance between refuelling.
City folk who only use their cars for commuting may see the better fuel consumption of diesels as being attractive, however they must factor in the extra price to buy the diesel car and the extra cost of the fuel.
So here’s three petrol-fuelled vehicles that may make more sense than going alternative:
FIAT 500 TWINAIR ($22,990): A small car with inbuilt Italian passion, new-age technology and a price around $20,000 should be a winner.
But Australians have been slow to embrace the Fiat 500 in the wake of a relentless procession of Korean and Japanese rivals. Now the 500 has a new engine – and it’s a 875cc two-cylinder turbocharged petrol unit – that claims a tiny 3.6 L/100km consumption. Even the version with an automated gearbox gets 3.9 L/100km.
This new engine slashes CO2 emissions by more than 30 per cent, emitting just 90 grams of CO2 per kilometre. Fiat said it makes the TwinAir produce less CO2 than any production petrol engine.
Of course, it’s not particularly quick and owners who push the car hard won’t get anywhere near the claimed fuel consumption.
Compared with Fiat’s top-selling 1.2-litre petrol engine in Europe, the TwinAir has 23 per cent more power yet 15 per cent lower emissions and fuel consumption. Performance is comparable with the 1.4-litre non-turbo version.
Because it’s good at cruising, you may consider the convertible version.
Recent changes to Fiat’s distribution in Australia will see the price of the TwinAir fall below $20,000. But that hasn’t happened just yet.
FORD FIESTA: (from $16,990): These are really well made, affordable and zippy. Though you can pay down around $17,000, the Zetec ($20,990) offers a bit more comfort, more features and doesn’t look like a renter.
Fiesta is made in Thailand (as with the Mazda2) and is big on value. The Zetec gets sports suspension, 16-inch alloys, cruise control, sports seats and is one of the few small cars with USB and iPod audio integration.
The 1.6-litre engine is a delight to drive as a manual but the six-speed dual-clutch auto is definitely worth the extra $2000.
Ford claims 6.1 L/100km for both the auto and manual – showing the efficiency of the auto – with similar performance.
Typical of the small-car class, the Fiesta’s cabin is noted by its hard plastic but it’s well executed. It provides a sporty driving position and the seats are comfortable, if a bit narrow.
In the unlike column are the lack of a spare wheel – it’s an option – and the tiny audio buttons.
KIA OPTIMA (from $30,490): The head-turning Optima – along with the Mazda6, Honda Euro and Holden Cruze – bridges the gap between needing cabin room but wanting a relatively economical powerplant.
The 2.4-litre engine has sufficient grunt and is a smooth rider and though the Optima’s is a family-size car, has a commendable fuel consumption of 7.9 L/100km. Then there’s its value for money.
Even in the entry-level Si ($30,490) version it gets a six-speed automatic gearbox, reverse park sensors with camera, all the top safety features, automatic headlights, fog lights, height adjustable driver’s seat, split-fold rear seats, electric folding and heater mirrors, cruise control and USB/iPod with Bluetooth.
It’s a very attractive machine that looks like its priced more than you paid. People who want to do exactly that – pay extra – can fork out $6500 more for the Platinum version that adds leather seats, 18-inch wheels, a premium sound system, sunroof and heated and ventilated front seats.