Major manufacturers increase efforts to go green
19 January 2010
Major motor manufacturers are taking huge steps in their efforts to reduce the average carbon emissions across their vehicle ranges and improve their appeal to fleet buyers from both tax and fuel-efficiency standpoints. The Volkswagen Audi Group and Ford Motor Company are just two that have recently launched new green models that are sure to be of interest to fleet buyers, says Fleet Alliance.
Audi, for example, has focused its green efforts on fuel-efficient, performance diesel engines, using the letter 'e' (for efficiency) to denote the cleanest versions of its different cars, and has recently replaced the old 1.9 litre TDI engine in the A3 range with a 1.6 litre TDI engine, adding a start-stop and energy recuperation mild hybrid system.
Both the A3 and A3 Sportback models with the new 1.6 TDI engine have carbon emissions of just 109g/km and an astonishing fuel economy of 68.9mpg, while a slightly heavier Cabriolet model still has emissions of just 114g/km and a fuel consumption of 65.7mpg.
Also available is the new A4 TDIe, billed as the most fuel efficient A4 to date, which offers fuel consumption of 61.4mpg and carbon emissions of 120g/km, but with a top speed of 136mph and a 0-62mph time of just 9.5 seconds.
Other emissions-saving technologies used by Audi include direct injection and the increased use of aluminium bodies to achieve lightweight designs.
Stablemate Volkswagen has developed its green credentials through its highly successful BlueMotion range of cars, and has announced new 'economy' variants of the recently launched sixth-generation Golf, based on a new 1.6-litre common-rail diesel engine, including a BlueMotion variant.
All the new economy Golf models achieve CO2 emissions of under 120g/km, while the new Golf BlueMotion is said to be the most efficient and technologically advanced version of the model ever produced, emitting just 107g/km of CO2. The launch of a second phase of Golf BlueMotion models with a CO2 output of less than 100g/km and a combined fuel economy figure of over 75mpg is imminent.
Fleet market leader Ford, meanwhile, is continuing to increase the number of Econetic low-emission choice of vehicles that are available as part of its green development plans.
It is now possible to buy Econetic variants of the Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo passenger cars, all of which emit less CO2 than the standard versions of these cars. Ford is also rolling out its Econetic package of measures to its vans, including on the new Transit and the Fiesta van.
Ford will continue to make more Econetic variants available across its range. As well as having the latest in common-rail diesel engine technology, Econetic vehicles also have features such as low-friction oil, a green gearshift indicator and modified engine calibration to help lower emissions.
In the future, Ford plans to downsize its engines, which will mean a smaller engine with equal, if not better, power and performance: for example, its new EcoBoost range of petrol engines will combine turbocharging and direct injection technology.
“It has been very interesting to observe how the major motor manufacturers are channelling their efforts, with considerable success, to improve the green credentials of their model line-ups,” said Martin Brown, managing director of Fleet Alliance.
“We believe that the leading makers now have models of considerable appeal to fleet buyers from both tax and fuel economy aspects and which make a ready fit on most, if not all, company fleets,” he added.
Fleet Alliance recently announced a link with Government Agency, the Energy Saving Trust to offer companies a free Green Fleet review. The benefits for businesses include both environmental and financial cost savings from selecting more environmentally friendly cars.
To find out how the Fleet Alliance can help you source a more environmentally friendly and cost effective fleet, or for details of any other products or services, please contact Fleet Alliance on 0845 601 8407; email info@fleetalliance.co.uk; or visit the website www.fleetalliance.co.uk
19 January 2010
Major motor manufacturers are taking huge steps in their efforts to reduce the average carbon emissions across their vehicle ranges and improve their appeal to fleet buyers from both tax and fuel-efficiency standpoints. The Volkswagen Audi Group and Ford Motor Company are just two that have recently launched new green models that are sure to be of interest to fleet buyers, says Fleet Alliance.
Audi, for example, has focused its green efforts on fuel-efficient, performance diesel engines, using the letter 'e' (for efficiency) to denote the cleanest versions of its different cars, and has recently replaced the old 1.9 litre TDI engine in the A3 range with a 1.6 litre TDI engine, adding a start-stop and energy recuperation mild hybrid system.
Both the A3 and A3 Sportback models with the new 1.6 TDI engine have carbon emissions of just 109g/km and an astonishing fuel economy of 68.9mpg, while a slightly heavier Cabriolet model still has emissions of just 114g/km and a fuel consumption of 65.7mpg.
Also available is the new A4 TDIe, billed as the most fuel efficient A4 to date, which offers fuel consumption of 61.4mpg and carbon emissions of 120g/km, but with a top speed of 136mph and a 0-62mph time of just 9.5 seconds.
Other emissions-saving technologies used by Audi include direct injection and the increased use of aluminium bodies to achieve lightweight designs.
Stablemate Volkswagen has developed its green credentials through its highly successful BlueMotion range of cars, and has announced new 'economy' variants of the recently launched sixth-generation Golf, based on a new 1.6-litre common-rail diesel engine, including a BlueMotion variant.
All the new economy Golf models achieve CO2 emissions of under 120g/km, while the new Golf BlueMotion is said to be the most efficient and technologically advanced version of the model ever produced, emitting just 107g/km of CO2. The launch of a second phase of Golf BlueMotion models with a CO2 output of less than 100g/km and a combined fuel economy figure of over 75mpg is imminent.
Fleet market leader Ford, meanwhile, is continuing to increase the number of Econetic low-emission choice of vehicles that are available as part of its green development plans.
It is now possible to buy Econetic variants of the Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo passenger cars, all of which emit less CO2 than the standard versions of these cars. Ford is also rolling out its Econetic package of measures to its vans, including on the new Transit and the Fiesta van.
Ford will continue to make more Econetic variants available across its range. As well as having the latest in common-rail diesel engine technology, Econetic vehicles also have features such as low-friction oil, a green gearshift indicator and modified engine calibration to help lower emissions.
In the future, Ford plans to downsize its engines, which will mean a smaller engine with equal, if not better, power and performance: for example, its new EcoBoost range of petrol engines will combine turbocharging and direct injection technology.
“It has been very interesting to observe how the major motor manufacturers are channelling their efforts, with considerable success, to improve the green credentials of their model line-ups,” said Martin Brown, managing director of Fleet Alliance.
“We believe that the leading makers now have models of considerable appeal to fleet buyers from both tax and fuel economy aspects and which make a ready fit on most, if not all, company fleets,” he added.
Fleet Alliance recently announced a link with Government Agency, the Energy Saving Trust to offer companies a free Green Fleet review. The benefits for businesses include both environmental and financial cost savings from selecting more environmentally friendly cars.
To find out how the Fleet Alliance can help you source a more environmentally friendly and cost effective fleet, or for details of any other products or services, please contact Fleet Alliance on 0845 601 8407; email info@fleetalliance.co.uk; or visit the website www.fleetalliance.co.uk
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