Next Green Car today announces the winners of the Next Green Car Awards 2011, the most scientifically-based Green Car Awards in the UK.
Awards are given for eight vehicle classes and a new ‘Next Generation’ category, which includes new technology models close to market launch. An overall winner is also awarded the title of Next Green Car ‘Gold Award’ 2011.
The winners of the Next Green Car Awards 2011 are as follows:
Gold Award: Vauxhall Ampera E-REV
City Car: Peugeot iOn and Citroen C-Zero (Joint Winners)
Supermini: Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTi EcoFlex
Small Family: Skoda Octavia Hatch 1.6 TDi GreenLine II
Large Family: Peugeot 508 Saloon 1.6 e-HDi
Family Estate: Ford Focus Estate 1.6 TDCi
Executive: BMW 520d Saloon EfficientDynamics
MPV: Renault Scenic 1.6 dCi Start-Stop
Next Generation: Vauxhall Ampera E-REV
Crossover: To be announced in the Autumn
The nine winners have been selected from shortlists of 27 of the UK’s greenest new cars of 2011/12, all selected for their environmental Green Car Rating, level of innovation, value, drive experience and design.
As noted by Dr. Ben Lane, Managing Editor of Next Green Car: “The 2011 winners reflect the latest technologies being used by manufacturers to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions, which range from the ground-breaking drive-train of the Ampera, to the clean-diesel innovations such as ‘start-stop’, ‘regen-braking’ and catalysed particulate filters.”
He continues: “Indeed, the Vauxhall Ampera Extended-Range Electric Vehicle wins our Gold Award 2011 as it is this year’s ‘game changer’. An electric car with no range anxiety, ultra-low emissions, state-of-the-art design and it‟s a joy to drive.”
In receiving the Gold Award 2011, Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall‟s Managing Director said: “Vauxhall is very pleased to win three accolades in the Next Green Car Awards 2011, including a double for the Ampera… The Ampera has been received with much acclaim as the only electric vehicle able to run for up to 50 miles on its battery yet extend its range without stopping to over 310 miles, still on electric power.”
More details on the Next Green Car Award 2011 are as follows:
Gold Award 2011
WINNER: Vauxhall Ampera E-REV – CO2: 40 g/km – GCR1: TBC
“The range-extended electric Ampera is this year’s ‘game changer’. An electric car with no range anxiety, ultra-low emissions, state-of-the-art design and it’s a joy to drive.”
City-car 2011 JOINT WINNER: Peugeot iOn & Citroen C-Zero – CO2: 0 g/km – GCR: 21
“Both the iOn and C-Zero signal the arrival of the pure electric city car. Practical, affordable, fun-to-drive, spacious enough for four, and a cinch to park.”
Commended: Hyundai i10 1.0-litre – CO2: 99 g/km – GCR: 27
Commended: Toyota iQ 1.0 litre VVTi – CO2: 99 g/km – GCR: 27
Supermini 2011
WINNER: Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTi EcoFlex – CO2: 94 g/km – GCR: 27
“A value green car, the new Corsa is great to drive, has improved styling, and delivers fantastic fuel economy without cutting back on comfort or safety features”
Commended: Renault Clio 1.5 dCi Eco – CO2: 94 g/km – GCR: 27
Commended: Audi A1 1.6 TDI Start-Stop – CO2: 99 g/km – GCR: 28
Small Family 2011
WINNER: Skoda Octavia Hatch 1.6 TDi Greenline II – CO2: 99 g/km – GCR: 28
“With the new Octavia, Skoda continues to excel with a low emission family car that is practical, affordable, with plenty of room inside for five adults to travel comfortably.”
Commended: Nissan LEAF Electric – CO2: 0 g/km – GCR: 27
Commended: Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi – CO2: 109 g/km- GCR: 32
Large Family 2011
WINNER: Peugeot 508 Saloon 1.6 e-HDi – CO2: 109g/km – GCR: 32
“A great looking car, the new semi-automatic 508 is spacious and well equipped. Build quality and handling are excellent, with the best fuel economy in its class.”
Commended: VW Passat 1.6 TDi BlueMotion – CO2: 114g/km – GCR: 32
Commended: Citroen C5 1.6 e-HDi – CO2: 120g/km – GCR: 34
Family Estate 2011
WINNER: Ford Focus Estate 1.6 TDCi – CO2: 109 g/km- GCR: 32
“Packed with a wealth of kit, the new Focus Estate offers great handling, is highly practical, has excellent fuel economy, and compares well with its hatch sibling.”
Commended: Peugeot 508 SW 1.6 e-HDi – CO2: 110g/km – GCR: 32
Commended: Volvo V60 1.6 DRIVe – CO2: 119 g/km – GCR: 34
Executive 2011
WINNER: BMW 520d Saloon EfficientDynamics – CO2: 119 g/km – GCR: TBC
“As BMW’s greenest 5-Series, the 520d EfficientDynamics continues to reign supreme in the executive class, combining low emissions with an impressive drive.”
Commended: Volvo S60 1.6 DRIVe – CO2: 114 g/km – GCR: 32
Commended: Audi A6 Saloon 2.0 TDI Start-Stop – CO2: 129 g/km – GCR: 35
MPV 2011
WINNER: Renault Scenic 1.6 dCi Start-Stop – CO2: 115 g/km – GCR: TBC
“Not only is the new start-stop Scenic well equipped with all the versatility needed of an MPV, it has great fuel economy and handling – all at a very reasonable price.”
Commended: Toyota Verso-S 1.33 VVTi – CO2: 120 g/km – GCR: 33
Commended: Vauxhall Meriva 1.3 CDTi EcoFlex – CO2: 119 g/km – GCR: 34
Next Generation 2011
WINNER: Vauxhall Ampera E-REV – CO2: 40 g/km – GCR: TBC
“The range-extended electric Ampera is this year’s ‘game changer’. An electric car with no range anxiety, ultra-low emissions, state-of-the-art design and it’s a joy to drive.”
Commended: Renault Fluence Electric – CO2: 0 g/km – GCR: 26
Commended: Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid – CO2: 59 g/km – GCR: TBC
Several manufacturers have already responded to receiving their 2011 Awards:
In receiving the Supermini Award 2011, Duncan Aldred, Vauxhall’s Managing Director said: “With its fresh new look and even cleaner engines, the Corsa is as popular as ever. The 94g/km ecoFLEX model honoured with the supermini award is zero-rated for car tax and is congestion charge exempt.”
ŠKODA UK Product Marketing Manager, Chris Horrell said: “We are delighted to win this award from Next Green Car. ŠKODA’s second generation Greenline product range has been developed to showcase cutting-edge technologies that reduce emissions and running costs to a minimum without compromising on the exceptional value for money and high quality for which ŠKODA has become famous.”
Anthony Ireson, Ford Britain Marketing Director, said: “We are delighted that our new Ford Focus Estate 1.6 TDCi has been awarded Best Family Estate in the Next Green Awards 2011. The Focus estate, launched earlier this year, is already proving a popular choice with customers who want the extra space and flexibility an estate provides, but also demand the latest technology, great driving dynamics, and superb styling.”
Renault UK Managing Director, Thierry Sybord, commented: “I’m delighted to be accepting this award from Next Green Car for our best-selling MPV. The brand new 1.6 dCi 130 is the most powerful 1.6 diesel engine on sale today and yet has the lowest CO2 and fuel consumption of any MPV on the market.”
For more information about the winners of the Next Green Car Awards 2011, and details of all the models in the 2011 Awards shortlists, visit: www.nextgreencar.com/awards-2011.
Due to vehicle availability, please note that the winner of the Crossover Award 2011 will be announced later in the year.