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Britain’s SUV buyers are making
‘greener’ choices in the showroom, according to latest industry
sales figures. Cars like Honda’s CR-V are selling better than
ever, as they offer a cleaner, smaller alternative to the
traditional 4x4 stereotype.
Despite negative public feeling towards
4x4s – that influenced a drop of 4% in the sector – sales of the low
emissions CR-V increased by 28 per cent over the first six months of the
year.
The result follows the launch of
Honda’s ‘Not all 4x4s are the same’ campaign, which highlights the fact
that the CR-V is cleaner and smaller than most other SUVs on the market
– as well as some saloons and hatchbacks. A special window sticker and
letter were sent to new and existing CR-V owners at the end of last
year.
“Our customers asked us how to defend
themselves from so-called ‘Anti-4x4 protesters’," says Vicky Mason,
Customer Dialogue Manager at Honda (UK). “And their response to this
campaign has been incredible. More people have reacted to this campaign
than any other – even more than competitions to win a car! Our customers
were pleased to see us getting involved with the debate.”
The CO2 emissions from a new Honda CR-V 2.2 i-CTDi (173g/km)
are lower than many saloon cars and even some hatchbacks. 173 g/km is
just 6g/km or 3 per cent above the average emission figure for 'all new
cars in the UK (SMMT).
As well as being cleaner and smaller
than other SUVs, the CR-V also has an enviable safety rating from Euro
NCAP, with four stars for occupant safety, two for pedestrian and four
stars for child safety.
Honda aims to sell 21,000 CR-Vs in 2007
– around 6,000 more than last year. The latest CR-V is priced from
£18,727 OTR.
|
Diesel-engined
cars |
New
CR-V |
Old
CR-V |
Vauxhall Vectra
estate |
Volkswagen Passat
estate |
BMW 3
Series estate |
|
Engine |
2.2 i-CTDi
|
2.2 i-CTDi
|
1.9 TDi
|
2.0 TDI
|
2.0d
|
|
PS
|
140
|
140
|
150
|
140
|
165
|
|
Torque (lb ft) |
251
|
251
|
232
|
236
|
251
|
|
Urban
(mpg) |
34.9
|
34.4
|
36.2
|
34.9
|
34.9
|
|
Extra
Urban (mpg) |
49.6
|
48.7
|
55.4
|
55.4
|
61.4
|
|
Combined (mpg) |
43.5
|
42.2
|
46.3
|
46.3
|
47.9
|
|
CO2
|
173
|
177
|
165
|
165
|
158
|
|