Small Wonders Save the Planet-And Your Hip Pocket

It’s only been the last 5 years that diesel cars have really taken off here. For some reason, the majority of Australians have taken some time to accept the benefits of a diesel as a source of fuel, whereas the Europeans have been driving them for decades. OK, so the diesel cars of today are nothing like the diesels of 20 years ago. Heading up the hills, they don’t look like a tyre factory on fire. They don’t drive like a slug and they don’t sound like a bus. The other very noticeable change is the massive choice of cars that offer a diesel engine. Probably the most prolific is the small car segment. In 2005 you had a choice of 4 small diesel hatches, with about 5,000 being bought. You now have a choice of nearly 20 models from 14 different manufacturers. Last year over 20,000 people put their hands up for these fuel efficient small wonders.

Mini launched this week their effort to grab part of this growing market with the Mini Cooper D.  The manual claims to be many things including the most fuel efficient car in Australia, existing on only 3.9 litres per 100kms. A very big claim given that the hybrid Prius uses only 4.4 litres per 100kms.

So we thought we’d put it to the test. Although it wasn’t our idea. You see Mini management challenged Australia’s motoring journalist to a fuel economy drive. We drove the car through the myriad of Melbourne central streets then joined the highway brigade out to the Yarra Valley. After winding our way through the vineyards and back onto the freeway we ended up right we where started in the centre of Melbourne. We clocked up about 170kms on our drive. So if Mini’s claims are correct one of the teams should have achieved an average fuel economy of 3.9 litres. But we didn’t. Over 4 of us did! The best result was 3.5 litres per 100kms, achieved by none other than myself and my very capable co driver Chris.

So, according to my first hand experience, the Mini diesel is the most fuel efficient car in Australia. And if you drive the car in a mild mannered way-which really isn’t very fun-you too can reduce the amount of time you spend in a petrol station while reducing how much you spend there!

Members of the Small Diesel Hatch Family
Alfa Romeo 147 1.9 JTD Monza
Audi A3 1.9 TDI Sportback
BMW 1 Series 120d
Citroen C3 1.6HDi
Citroen C4 1.6 HDi
Fiat Punto 1.3 Dynamic
Fiat Ritmo 1.9 JTD Dynamic
Ford Fiesta ECOnetic
Ford Focus 2.0 TDCi LV
Holden Astra 1.9 CTDi
Hyundai i30 1.6 SLX CRDi
Kia Soul 1.6 CRDi
Mercedes Benz A Class A 180 CDI
Mini Cooper D
Peugeot 207 1.6 HDI
Peugeot 308 HDI XS
Renault Megane 2.0 dCi
Volkswagen Golf 103 TDi
Volkswagen Polo 1.9 TDi