The Vehicles Earth

Given the news today that Coryton refinery has collapsed into administration and fuel prices are set to rise again, I’m thankful that my long-term test A1 is a) a diesel and b) isn’t one of the bigger, fancier fuel-guzzling cars on our fleet. I'm currently getting a very respectable 50mpg.

I’ll be honest, I haven’t exactly tried to drive the A1 S line economically; neither have I pushed it to within an inch of its life. I just drive it how it wants to be driven and how I feel comfortable driving it.

Some vehicles, of the more eco-friendly kind - I'm thinking of you hybrids, and eco-specials - leave you no choice but to slowly creep from a slip road onto a motorway. Some of the tall gearing on offer is perilously dangerous.

The A1 however simply covers both bases. It's normal to drive - and frugal. The gearing is pleasantly normal - you won't get bogged down in hyper-tall ratios, and I don't really miss a sixth ratio. It's all very relaxed on the motorway, and at a cruise you'll barely see the fuel gauge moving at all.

I know there are other cars out there that will offer better fuel economy than our A1 1.6 TDI, it’s just a relief to enjoy a car without having to calculate where the next petrol station is every journey. In fact I rarely check the fuel gauge at all.

A car like this provides food for thought. Do you really need a hybrid if the bijou and classy A1 can top 50mpg with ease?

By Sarah-Jayne Harrison