Email Story
Print Page
September 2009
Automotive
Downsizing With Style
Richard Lofthouse finds less is now more in changing car fashions
Would you really trade your prize-fighting gas-guzzler for an eco-box? The evidence is that scrappage schemes designed to boost the car industries in Germany, Britain, Italy and France have convinced people to do just this, with Korean carmaker Kia reporting instances where Porsches and Range Rovers are being traded for tiny city cars, with 53 Mercedes-Benz cars being traded for the mass market Korean brand in the UK alone.
The fact is, luxury and sports cars designed a decade ago have virtually no second-hand value today because of sky-high running costs. Whatever their status, they're going to the scrapheap in droves.
Our provocative downsizing suggestions (below) aren't so crazy when you consider the shock news of the summer, supercar-maker Aston Martin's announcement that it is going to build a tiny city car based on the Toyota iQ, called the Cygnet. What looked liked a hoax turned out to be a deadly serious attempt to reduce fleet CO2 emissions to comply with EU regulations. Suddenly, the responsible thing to do is to drive your gas-guzzler on special days, while pottering about in the Cygnet, the automotive equivalent of a tender to a superyacht.
Whether judged in terms of CO2 g/km, savings on fuel costs or simply what's cool in 2009, all our suggested replacements could save you a fat pile of euros without any corresponding loss of face.
All of them road-tested at some point this year, the suggested replacements surprise on a number of fronts. First off, the Fiat 4x4 really is astonishingly capable off-road, and if you don't believe the comparison to a Range Rover then watch the brilliant head-to-head on YouTube, care of UK programme Fifth Gear. Secondly, the Kia Soul Burner does most things brilliantly and is cool to boot. It might not have 4x4 capacity but it has an SUV's ride height and large wheels while matching the Volvo XC90's performance.
As for trading in the Porsche, we think the Renault Clio Cup is the perfect sports car for a recession. Whether or not you choose to get it in brash Alien Green (which comes bizarrely close to the famous, 1970s' Porsche 911 Viper Green) it blends into any traffic jam without provoking envy, graces all but the worst potholes and shuns luxury for a spartan interior. Yet for sheer driving prowess there's nothing like it, with an astonishing chassis from Renault's motorsport division.
The rest of our comparisons speak for themselves, the broader point being that even within a given model range it's becoming more important than ever before to cherry-pick the right engine. There is a world of difference between the older VW-group turbo diesel units and their new, jewel-like TSI petrol units which are by themselves a wonderful instance of downsizing, offering as much as 160ps from just 1.4 litres of capacity and the sort of economy that even diesel units struggled to attain just a few years ago.
Another star engine for our money is the one inside BMW's new 116d. Despite wearing an eco-badge on its sleeve, the car handles like a dream.
Finally, our suggestion to ditch the car altogether in the city isn't an instance of losing our marbles. By slightly widening the track of its award-winning, two-front-wheeled scooter, aptly called the MP3, Italian scooter maker Piaggio has qualified it across Europe as a trike. That means that you can ride a seriously capable motorbike without getting a motorbike licence....
4x4
Range Rover 4.2 V8 Supercharged Vogue to Fiat Panda Multijet Cross
Why? If you need to drive off-road, the Fiat is as supremely capable as the Rangie
Why Not? The Fiat drags its feet on the road and doesn't pretend to be luxurious
Verdict Not as stupid as it sounds, particularly if you live up a steep, dusty track in Tuscany — in which case you might already own the first generation Panda 4x4 introduced in 1983
Also Consider Škoda Yeti; Ford Kuga; Nissan Qashqai
Top Speed (km/h) 209 vs 151
Acceleration (seconds, 0–100km/h) 7.1 vs 18
Fuel Economy (litres/100km) 16.6 vs 5.2
CO2 (g/km) 376 vs 136
Weight (tonne) 2.4 vs 1.1
Price €83,000 vs €14,000
Supercar
Porsche 911 Carrera 3.6 to Renault Clio Renaultsport 200 Cup
Why? They're totally different cars, but the Renault serves up more thrills
Why Not? If you're a Porsche fan then nothing else will do
Verdict There's not a lot of difference between Viper Green and Alien Green
Also Consider Fiat 500 Abarth, used Porsche Boxster or Porsche Cayman
Top Speed 289 vs 226
Acceleration 4.9 vs 6.9
Fuel Economy 9.6 vs 8.2
CO2 225 vs 195
Weight 1.4 vs 1.1
Price €72,000 vs €18,000
Urban SUV
Volvo XC90 2.4 D5 SE to Kia Soul 1.6 CRDi Burner
Why? The Kia is a sweet drive with the high ride position of an SUV and plenty of cool
Why Not? Looks and branding of the upstart Korean not to everyone's tastes, luggage space is stingy and the Kia is not a 4x4
Verdict Korea's rising son
Also Consider Toyota Urban Cruiser; Suzuki SX4; Škoda Yeti; Fiat Sedici
Top Speed 185 vs 181
Acceleration 11 vs 10.7
Fuel Economy 8.3 vs 5.2
CO2 219 vs 137
Weight 2.2 vs 1.3
Price €40,000 vs €17,500
Cabriolet
Bentley Continental GTC Speed Convertible to Fiat 500C 1.4 16v Lounge
Why? The Fiat is simply this year's must-have accessory — preferably in Cha Cha Cha Azure blue metallic with a red roof
Why Not? It won't be as exclusive as the Bentley a year from now
Verdict Why spend a fortune to get the wind in your hair?
Also Consider Mazda MX5; BMW 1 Series Convertible; Porsche Boxster
Top Speed 321 vs 181
Acceleration 4.5 vs 10.5
Fuel Economy 16.6 vs 6.1
CO2 396 vs 140
Weight 2.5 vs 1
Price €180,000 vs €16,000
Executive Saloon
Lexus 600h to BMW 116d SE
Why? The BMW is greener and far better to drive
Why Not? Stick to the Lexus if you are chauffeur driven!
Verdict Hybrid technology is a bridge technology and not as green as it claims
Also Consider BMW 5 Series (replaced next year); Seat Exeo; BMW 3 Series
Top Speed 226 vs 199
Acceleration 6.3 vs 10.2
Fuel Economy 9.3 vs 4.4
CO2 219 vs 118
Weight 2.4 vs 1.4
Price €99,000 vs €23,000
City Car
Hyundai i10 1.2 Classic to Piaggio MP3 LT
Why? A top-flight scooter for the price of a budget car, and no need to get a motorbike licence because it's classed as a tricycle in Europe
Why Not? The Piaggio is relatively expensive
Verdict Scooters are growing up
Also Consider Smart Fortwo CDI, Toyota iQ, Fiat 500 with stop-start technology; a beautiful pair of shoes or a top-flight racing bike
Top Speed 152 vs 140
Acceleration 13.8 vs c. 7*
Fuel Economy 5.0 vs c. 5.0*
CO2 119 vs 42
Weight 0.9 vs 0.26
Price €8,200 vs €7,600
*Approximate figures only. Performance varies depending on rider weight and wind
Sectors:
Automotive
Related Stories:
-
LOTUS REGAINS POLE POSITION
Though pricey, Lotus’ latest road offering is sure to get pulses racing, says Richard Lofthouse. Continue Reading »
-
SHIFTING GEAR
Auto manufacturers are increasingly turning to in-car technology in a bid to stand out from the competition. John Brandon reports. Continue Reading »
-
A CAB REALLY WORTH HAILING
Maserati’s cabriolet nudges the Germans off the roads, says Richard Lofthouse. Continue Reading »
-
Shock and Awe
Richard Lofthouse looks forward to the 10 sexiest new cars of 2010. Continue Reading »
Comments
Post a new comment