The Auto Express magazine, reports The Times, carried out road tests on a number of models with such claims from their maker’s and found that a number of them failed spectacularly to live up to expectations. Kind of like the proud father that goes around touting his kid’s prowess in karate only to see him steamrolled by the competition.
Some vehicles were putting out 56 percent more emissions than the maker’s claims. The Honda Civic hybrid and two other models performed so poorly in tests that their eco-friendly labels were dismissed as a gimmick. Shamelessly, a Honda spokesperson denied the claims were a gimmick.
Boasting as the greenest car in Britain, with a stated emission rate of less than 100 grams of CO2 per km (g/km), the Volkswagen’s Polo BlueMotion also failed to match claims by their maker’s.
Auto Test conceded five cars, including VW’s Polo BlueMotion, could be considered green despite their fuel consumptions—consequently emissions—failing to meet their claimed standards. The other four are: Ford’s Focus ECOnetic, the Mini Cooper Clubman D, Seat Ibiza ECOmotive and Toyota Prius.
So which cars put their makers to the greatest shame by failing in the most epic proportions earning the title of gimmick? The Honda Civic hybrid took the cake, despite it being widely regarded as a low emission vehicle. It was actually putting out 171 g/km of CO2 instead of the 109 g/km claimed by the maker’s.
The Lexus GS450h took second, showing less fuel economy than diesels with a gas consumption rate of 26.7 miles per gallon (mpg) and similar emission rates. That is around 9 mpg less than the asserted 35.8 mpg, meaning higher emission rates given the extra fuel consumed.
Nonetheless the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders insists that the auto industry has made headway into creating greener vehicles. I suppose they do deserve a clap on the back.