UK's WHAT CAR? Exposes $360 Million Fuel Economy "Rip-Off"

MIDDLESEX, England - August 4, 2006: 'What Car?' - a leading British magazine/website/TV show - has discovered some huge inaccuracies in fuel economy comparisons claimed by automakers. According to the independent specialist retained by What Car?, cars in the real world use 8% more fuel than manufacturers' official figures.

The 'What Car?' news release states, "Most owners expect to achieve the economy claimed in adverts and brochures, but are disappointed when their fuel bills are higher. What Car?’s research proves that Britain’s new-car buyers spent £192 million ($360 million USD equivilent) last year in inflated fuel bills as a result. Only five cars managed to hit their makers' claims. Worst performer was the hybrid petrol-electric Toyota Prius – famed for its green credentials. What Car? could only manage an average of 52mpg, 13.7mpg below Toyota's official claim.

'What Car?' further states, "Eight of the top 10 worst performers against official figures were superminis – the very cars that are bought by budget-conscious motorists with an eye on fuel economy.

What Car?’s tests calculated what owners can expect in the real world, by using an electronic meter inserted in cars’ fuel systems to measure accurately the fuel used over identical routes and conditions.

What Car?'s independent research was backed up by tests from 120 readers. They recorded their consumption for a week and, on average, managed 3mpg below manufacturers' figures. What Car?'s own fleet of test cars recorded an average of 6mpg less than car makers' claims over a massive 1,143,197 miles.

Steve Fowler, What Car?'s editor, said: 'With fuel prices already topping £1 per litre in many places, fuel economy is an increasing concern for car buyers. But on average, they're having to pay £87 a year more than they'd expect based on car makers' claims – and that figure will only rise as fuel prices increase further.

'However, the fault lies not with the manufacturers, but the unrealistic method of testing cars' economy enforced by the EU. Tests are carried out in laboratories, not on roads, with only gentle acceleration and at high temperatures - very different to real-world driving conditions.'

What Car? believes that the European Union should adopt a more realistic system suited to the way motorists actually drive to provide drivers with accurate and useful data.

The 20 worst and best cars according to 'What Car?':

Sinners

1. Toyota Prius
2. Kia Picanto 1.1
3. Kia Rio 1.5 CRDi
4. Citroen C3 1.4 HDI
5. Smart Fortwo Pulse
6. (3 vehicles tied) Peugeot 107 1.0; Toyota Aygo 1.0; Vauxhall Corsa 1.2
9. VW Polo 1.4 TDI
10. Ford Focus 1.6 Ti-VCT

Saints

1. Mercedes SLK350
2. Ford Mondeo 2.2 TDCI
3. Fiat Croma 2.2
4. Toyota Avensis 2.2 D-4D
5. VW Golf GTI
6. Ford Focus 2.0 TDCI
7. Skoda Fabia Estate 1.4
8. Audi A4 2.0 TDI
9. Renault Laguna Sport Tourer 2.0T
10. Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI

For the full results and additional details of all 85 models tested visit www.whatcar.com.