| New Eco-Model | Hyundai i30 CRDi |

Hyundai is eager to keep it simple with its attempt to reduce emissions in its new environmentally friendly i30 CRDi. It hasn't ditched the i30's normal tyres in favour of skinny rubber as with the VW BlueMotion et al, nor does it utilise expensive stop-start systems or extra long gearing.

What it does have though is a seemingly very efficient 88bhp version of the 1.6-litre CRDi turbodiesel engine - it's already available on the i30 but tuned to a slightly less emissions friendly 113bhp. The new version of the engine also uses a diesel particulate filter, which eliminates most of the black 'sooty' stuff from the exhaust fumes.

The new version of the i30, available from January 2008, has achieved a notable official emissions figure of 119g/km of CO₂, bettering many a supermini despite its near Golf and Focus proportions.

Identifiable by its green 'i' badge on the front wings, the new car now drops to the B group tax band, cutting the cost of an annual tax disc from £115 to £35 in the UK. Business drivers will benefit even further. From April next year a new company car band for diesels producing less than 120g/km of CO₂ will be introduced that will shrink the rate from 18 to 13 percent, saving several hundred pounds for higher rate tax payers.

Hyundai is entitled to shout that its 'green' model retains its driveability, roadholding and equipment levels and that fewer sacrifices have been made to achieve its headline grabbing low emissions. It's affordable too; prices start below £13,000 including a decent level of standard equipment - just like the rest of the range - and a five year, unlimited mileage warranty.

Richard Tanner - 20 Sep 2007