Can you recommend a Golf-sized, British-built car?
If one wanted to be patriotic and buy something made here in the UK, can you identify (in a very small space) which models (Golf-sized, say) are made here?
I drove a Volkswagen Golf for years before being tempted to buy a Volvo V40. In thinking about my next car, which will be smaller, I automatically looked at the Golf first. I was quite shocked to see that they are now, many years down the line since my last Golf, selling the normal (non-sporty) cars with 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines. As an engineer I want an engine that's going to provide adequate power and performance without being overstressed. Is it all now about emissions and fuel economy?
I drove a Volkswagen Golf for years before being tempted to buy a Volvo V40. In thinking about my next car, which will be smaller, I automatically looked at the Golf first. I was quite shocked to see that they are now, many years down the line since my last Golf, selling the normal (non-sporty) cars with 1.2 and 1.4 petrol engines. As an engineer I want an engine that's going to provide adequate power and performance without being overstressed. Is it all now about emissions and fuel economy?
Asked on 15 September 2011 by DL, Surrey
Answered by
Honest John
First answer: Vauxhall Astra, Honda Civic, Toyota Auris.
Second answer, yes, it is all about emissions and economy. I'm monitoring the performance of Volkswagen Group's small petrol engines. Over the last week I did more than 1600 miles in a huge Mondeo estate fitted with a tiny 160PS 1.6 Ecoboost petrol engine. It pulled 140mph on the clock in Germany with the wind behind it, yet averaged over 40mpg.
Second answer, yes, it is all about emissions and economy. I'm monitoring the performance of Volkswagen Group's small petrol engines. Over the last week I did more than 1600 miles in a huge Mondeo estate fitted with a tiny 160PS 1.6 Ecoboost petrol engine. It pulled 140mph on the clock in Germany with the wind behind it, yet averaged over 40mpg.
Real MPG enables you to register the fuel economy you are actually getting against your make and model of car, its engine and type of transmission.
Every time you enter an average consumption figure against your car, the overall average automatically adjusts to reflect it.
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