Transmission:
Refer to the Glossary of terms for
the numerous transmission options.
Fuel Type:
Predominantly Petrol and diesel although some vehicles powered by
alternative fuels (CNG/LPG) are shown on this site, others will
be added when figures become available.
CO2:
When petrol or diesel is burnt for energy the main by-products are
water vapour and carbon dioxide (CO2). Carbon Dioxide
is the most important of the greenhouse gases which are contributing
to Climate Change. In 6000 miles a car will produce roughly its
own weight in CO2. Unless action is taken to reduce greenhouse
gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide, the whole pattern of the
world’s weather could change.
Euro Standard:
In 1992 exhaust emission limits, (now often referred to as Euro
1 standards) were introduced for new cars, which resulted in
the fitting of advanced emission control techniques, e.g. catalysts.
More stringent emission limits came into effect in 1997 and 1998,
depending on vehicle type, and these were known as Euro 2. Euro
3 requirements were introduced with effect from 1st January
2000 and, for the majority of vehicles, came into full effect
on 1st January 2001. A further tightening of the emissions limits,
Euro 4, began on the 1st of January 2005 and became fully in force
on 1st January 2007.
Engine Capacity:
Engine capacity in cubic centimetres.
Metric combined fuel consumption
(l/100km):
The combined figure presented is for the urban and the
extra-urban cycle together. It is therefore an average of the two
other parts of the fuel consumption test, Urban and Extra-urban
cycles, weighted by the distance covered in each part.
Metric urban fuel consumption (l/100km) (cold):
The urban test cycle is carried out in a laboratory at an ambient
temperature of 20oC to 30oC on a rolling road from a cold start,
i.e. the engine has not run for several hours. The cycle consists
of a series of accelerations, steady speeds, decelerations and idling.
Maximum speed is 31mph (50 km/h), average speed 12 mph (19 km/h)
and the distance covered is 2.5 miles (4 km).
Metric extra-urban fuel consumption (l/100km):
The extra-urban cycle is conducted immediately following the urban
cycle and consists roughly half steady-speed driving and the remainder
accelerations, decelerations and some idling. Maximum speed is 75mph
(120 km/h), average speed is 39mph (63 km/h) and the distance covered
is 4.3 miles (7 km).
Imperial combined fuel consumption (mpg):
The combined figure presented is for the urban and the extra-urban
cycle together. It is therefore an average of the two other parts
of the fuel consumption test, Urban and Extra-urban cycles, weighted
by the distance covered in each part.
Imperial urban fuel consumption (mpg) (cold):
The urban test cycle is carried out in a laboratory at an ambient
temperature of 20oC to 30oC on a rolling road from a cold start,
i.e. the engine has not run for several hours. The cycle consists
of a series of accelerations, steady speeds, decelerations and idling.
Maximum speed is 31mph (50 km/h), average speed 12 mph (19 km/h)
and the distance covered is 2.5 miles (4 km).
Imperial extra-urban fuel consumption (mpg):
The extra-urban cycle is conducted immediately following the urban
cycle and consists roughly half steady-speed driving and the remainder
accelerations, decelerations and some idling. Maximum speed is 75mph
(120 km/h), average speed is 39mph (63 km/h) and the distance covered
is 4.3 miles (7 km).
Fuel cost (£/12,000 miles):
The fuel cost of driving 12,000 miles is calculated using the combined
fuel consumption figure and the respective average fuel figures
published in our annual publication “New Car Fuel Consumption and
Emission Figures”. The booklet is produced in May of each year
so allowing for the printing process the fuel figures used are
those published by the Department of Trade and Industry for March.
There are of course many changes to fuel prices during the course
of a year, not to mention many regional variations. It is because
of this that we have decided to use the average figure, taken at
a given point in the year, as this ensures a level playing field
for comparison purposes.
The fuel costs are calculated as follows:
12000
x A x 4.546
________________________________
B
A = The current cost per litre of Petrol, Diesel or LPG (as applies
to the car), i.e.1.06, 113 or 0.56
B = The Imperial combined Fuel Consumption figure (MPG)
4.546 = The figure for conversion of litres to imperial gallons.
Noise levels dB(A) (moving):
The current noise test standard for passenger cars, as detailed
in EU Directive 92/97, consists of driving the vehicle into a test
area at a speed of 50 km/hr and then accelerating at full throttle
through the test area. A microphone at a set distance from the line
of travel measures the maximum level of noise reached. Noise levels
are shown in decibels as measured on the A scale of a noise meter.
The A scale was devised to ‘weight’ the reading of a noise so it
more closely represented what is heard by the human ear.
Carbon Monoxide (CO) emissions (g/km or mg/km under Euro 5):
CO emissions (g/km). Carbon monoxide reduces the bloods
oxygen carrying capacity which can reduce availability of oxygen
to key organs.
Combined HC and NOx emissions (g/km or mg/km under Euro 5):
Combined HC (THC under euro 5) and NOx emissions (g/km). Hydrocarbons, contribute to
ozone formation. Some kinds of HCs can also be carcinogens and they
are also indirect greenhouse gases. Oxides of nitrogen react in
the atmosphere to form nitrogen dioxide (NO2) which can have adverse
effects on health, particularly among people with respiratory illness.
NOx also contributes to smog formation, acid rain and can damage
vegetation.
Emissions Particles (g/km or mg/km under Euro 5):
Particulate emissions (g/km). Fine particles (especially those smaller
than 10 microns) enter the lungs and are associated with a range
of respiratory and cardiovascular disorders and asthma.
NOx emissions (g/km or mg/km under Euro 5):
NOx emissions (g/km). Oxides of nitrogen react in the atmosphere
to form nitrogen dioxide (NO2) which can have adverse effects on
health, particularly among people with respiratory illness. NOx
also contributes to smog formation, acid rain and can damage vegetation.
HC emissions (g/km or mg/km under Euro 5):
HC emissions (g/km). Hydrocarbons contribute to ozone formation.
Some kinds of HCs can also be carcinogens and they are also indirect
greenhouse gases.
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