Green Car of the Year
What Car? the UK's biggest car-buying brand has named the Vauxhall Ampera as its Green Car of the Year 2011. As well as winning this prestigious title it also claimed the title for the top alternative-fuel car.
The Vauxhall Ampera represents a massive step for alternative-fuel cars. It offers all the benefits of owning an electric vehicle with virtually none of the drawbacks. It gives motorists the ability to dramatically reduce their emissions without changing their lifestyle, which is exactly what green cars need to do.
The Kia Picanto 1.0 1 Air is this year's top green supermini, while the award for best green small family car went to Volkswagen for the Golf Bluemotion.
Ford's Mondeo picked up the green family car prize, and the BMW 3 Series 318d was named best green executive car. Renault’s Scénic picked up the award for best green MPV.
SUVs continue to be popular with consumers, and the green SUV award went to Peugeot for the 3008 2.0 HDi Hybrid4, the world’s first production diesel hybrid.
The British built Mini 1.6D Cooper picked up the fun car award, and in the process proved that being green doesn’t mean waving goodbye to driving enjoyment.
The What Car? judging team did not consider only CO2 output, because cars emit a whole concoction of polluting gases including nitrous oxides and particulates. The judges also evaluated whole-life costs, driveability and reliability.
The What Car Green Awards are supported by...
EDF Energy
We are delighted to see the Vauxhall Ampera crowned overall winner. 2011 has seen the rapid growth in the alternative-fuel and plug-in vehicle market, and the Ampera is an excellent example of what customer choice is available today and in the future. Bethan Carver from EDF Energy
Warranty Direct
Duncan McClure Fisher, managing director of Warranty Direct said:-
As alternative fuels take more of a central focus in the automotive world, it’s important to know which new cars perform the best. The Vauxhall Ampera is a worthy winner of the top prize.
AGT Investments
Carbon-offsetting is increasingly becoming essential across industry. We are very proud to support the What Car? Green Awards in becoming carbon-neutral. AGT Investments co-chairman Thomas Knifton
What Car?
The UK's biggest car-buying brand, has two magazines, a market-leading website and several established brand extensions. Its flagship magazine has helped Britain's car buyers make purchasing decisions for more than 30 years, and its tests are widely regarded as the most trusted source of new-car advice.
Latest National Readership Survey results indicate that 797,000 people read What Car? magazine every month (NRS Jan-Jun 2010).
whatcar.com is the UK's leading car-buying website, offering trusted reviews and data on every new car. A winner of numerous awards and accolades, whatcar.com is recognised as one of the UK’s leading consumer websites for car purchases and attracts more than two million visits per month.
What Car? is owned by Haymarket Media Group - the UK's largest independently owned publishing company with a portfolio of more than 150 titles, ranging from specialist consumer magazines to business titles and customer publications, published via wholly owned subsidiaries, joint ventures and under licence worldwide.
www.whatcar.com