The Suzuki Celerio Dualjet takes a silver at The Green Organisation Awards ceremony 2015.

SUZUKI TAKES ANOTHER BITE OF THE GREEN APPLE

Green Organisation Award for Celerio

The Celerio Dualjet has won a Silver award at the annual Green Apple Environmental Awards held at the House of Commons this week. The awards are organised by The Green Organisation and judged by the Midland Group of Motoring Writers.

Chairman of the Midland Group, Ian Donaldson comments: “This is the fifth year we have saluted the greenest cars you can buy and, crucially, enjoy owning and driving. Our prize winners are chosen by our 28 members whose words are read across 400 media outlets in print and on the web all over the UK and beyond”.

Launched in the UK in February of this year, Celerio took second prize in the Supermini category, beating some strong competition by impressing the judges with its great drive and impressive real world fuel economy and with one judge commenting. “A budget priced, roomy car with an easy to drive engine which makes getting good economy simple."

Another said: "The Celerio Dualjet gave me more than 80mpg on a test drive, trying quite hard to be economical, but better than 70mpg should be easily possible without trying hard at all."

Priced at £8,499, the Celerio with its 1.0-litre Dualjet petrol engine enables it to attain 78.4mpg on the EC Combined fuel consumption cycle and achieve very low CO₂ emissions of just 84g/km. Dualjet technology positions the fuel injectors very close to the engine inlet valves and allows for a finer fuel atomisation (or mixture) which in turn provides a more effective transfer into the cylinder. 

With its high levels of standard equipment, low cost of ownership and generous interior and luggage space the Celerio is proving very popular in the UK with over 7,000 sold to date.

For new car customers looking at a low deposit and low monthly payment option, Celerio is available with a range of highly competitive PCP offers until the end of the year. As an example, the SZ2 at £6,999 is available for a deposit of £1,721 followed by 42 monthly payments of just £79 and an optional payment of £2,809 to keep the car. The SZ3 Dualjet model is available for a deposit of £1,934 and 42 monthly payments of £103 with a final optional payment of £3,271.

The Green Apple Awards for 2015 names the Mazda2 as it's Best Supermini.

• 2015 International Green Apple Awards name the all-new Mazda2 1.5 SKYACTIV-D Best Supermini.
• Green Apple Awards recognise and reward environmental best practice.
• All-new Mazda2 1.5 SKYACTIV-D has a combined economy of 83.1mpg and emits 89g/km of CO₂.
• Motoring section of the Green Apple Awards judged by the Midland Group of Motoring Writers.

The all-new Mazda2 has been named ‘Best supermini’ in the 22^nd annual Green Apple Awards. With the motoring section of the environmental awards judged by journalists from the Midland Group of Motoring Writers (MGMW), the 1.5-litre diesel SKYACTIV-D Mazda2 took top honours in the supermini category at the awards ceremony held recently at the Houses of Parliament.

MGMW Chairman Ian Donaldson commented, “the Mazda2 sets an engaging, practical and efficient benchmark in the class, making economy enjoyable while also providing sensible running costs. Mazda shows that using a larger engine than the competition and applying clever technology can provide fine economy and a car that’s good to drive.”

Having already claimed the Car Dealer Magazine Car of the Year Award earlier this year, the Green Apple Award’s acknowledgment of the all-new Mazda2’s blend of efficiency and performance comes on the back of the 105ps SKYACTIV-D Mazda2 exceling in the recent MPG Marathon, where it recorded an average fuel consumption of 103.42mpg – an impressive 24.45 per cent better than the official combined economy.

Equipped with Mazda’s i-stop system, which delivers the world’s fastest restarts on a diesel engine, the all-new 1.5-litre SKYACTIV-D engine embodies Mazda’s clean-sheet approach to combustion engines. The 1,499cc common-rail diesel engine features a lightweight all-alloy construction and an ultra-low 14.8:1 compression ratio that radically optimises the engine’s compression ratio to achieve superior air-fuel mixture levels and more uniform combustion for improved economy.

At the same time Mazda’s latest generation small diesel impresses with its combination of refinement, throttle response and performance.  As well as proving the real-world benefits of Mazda’s SKYACTIV technology, the all-new Mazda2’s KODO: Soul of Motion style and engaging driving experience help it stand out in this ultra-competitive sector.

Volkswagen takes the over top prize, in this years 5th annual, green Apple Awards held at the Houses of Parliament.

VOLKSWAGEN has won the top Green Apple Award for the way one of its models is both environmentally friendly and good to drive. 

The awards are made by The Green Organisation, a not for profits group which invites entries from all parts of industry, presented at the Houses of Parliament each autumn.

Midland Group of Motoring Writers members are asked to choose winners in the automotive part of the Green Apple Awards.

Overall winner in 2015 - the fifth year of the awards - is the Volkswagen Golf GTE, which is powered by a combination of petrol engine and electric motor.

The award was made at a ceremony in the terrace pavilion of the Houses of Parliament today (Monday 16 November).

The Golf GTE beat another VW Group car, a Skoda Fabia diesel into second place overall.

One Midland Group judge said of the winning Golf GTE: "It’s engineered like a Volkswagen, feeling solid and safe, while the hybrid system returns some superb figures when driven like a hybrid should be. 

For those days where there’s an empty country road, it turns in to a proper GTi, handling the extra weight with aplomb and proving you don’t need to make many compromises to produce a viable green choice."

The awards, which also features a SEAT model from another arm of the VW Group, comes at a time when Volkswagen is embroiled in a huge emissions scandal, starting in the United States

Midland Group chairman Ian Donaldson told the guests at the awards ceremony: "Twelve months ago it would have sounded like the plot of a bad Hollywood movie to suggest one of the world's biggest car companies might be involved in skulduggery on such a scale that the news bounced round the world, saw share prices tumble and a chief executive retire with a stain on his reputation.

"Today the VW emissions scandal rumbles on as lawyers and law makers work on bringing the culprits to book and ensuring we learn something from the debacle.

"I will leave the court cases to the legal teams who must, as we speak, be rooting out evidence for actions that are going to keep my learned friends busy for years."

He added: "What we can say with some certainty is that the way all car companies approach the measurement of the gases that come from the exhaust pipes of the cars they build will be changed to be more representative of the real world.

"That's being addressed by - you've guessed - an official committee. But they have been taking their time. I expect the VW rumpus has acted as a hurry up call. I hope so."

Category winners of the 2015 Green Apple Awards

Superminis

Winner: Mazda2 1.5 Skyactiv-D

Runner-up: Suzuki Celerio 1.0 Dualjet

Smaller family cars

Winner: Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI

Runner-up: Citroen C4 Cactus 1.6 BlueHDi.

Larger family cars

Winner: BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics

Runner-up: SEAT Leon 1.6 TDI Ecomotive

Smaller SUVs

Winner: Dacia Duster 1.5 dCi

Runner-up: Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi

Electric hybrids or pure electric vehicles

Winner: Volkswagen Golf GTE

Runner-up: Tesla Model S

Executive cars

Winner: Audi A6 2.0 TDI Ultra

Runner-up: Jaguar XF diesel

Green Apple champion for 2015

Winner: Volkswagen Golf GTE

Runner-up: Skoda Fabia 1.4 TDI

Peugeot wins two green awards for the same car from different groups, not bad going.

• 2014 ranks as a great year for PEUGEOT
• With the youngest product range of all in its 125-year history, PEUGEOT receives more praise
• The PEUGEOT 308 adds another two accolades to its impressive awards collection

PEUGEOT has once again revealed its impressive environmental credentials, with the 308 scooping two ‘green’ awards from different organisations.

It’s been an impressive year for PEUGEOT, which also saw the 308 beat all-comers to win the much sought after and prestigious European Car of the Year title.

While both awards are for the same vehicle, the classifications are slightly different. At the Next Green Car Awards the 308 took top spot in the Small Family Car category, while at the Green Apple Awards it was honoured in the Larger Family category.

Morgan Lecoupeur, Marketing Director at PEUGEOT UK, commented: “No matter whether you think the PEUGEOT 308 is large or small, it clearly impressed the expert judges everywhere with its environmental excellence. It’s been a great year for PEUGEOT and this salutes a design which has been recognised the world over. Its advanced platform engineering, lower body weight and class-leading low CO₂ output are its key achievements, supported by class-leading PureTech petrol and BlueHDi diesel engines.”

The Next Green Car Awards are about highlighting the year’s cleanest new models, with recognition across 11 vehicle sectors. Innovation, value, drive experience and design also formed part of the judging criteria.

Winner in the Small Family category was the Peugeot 308 1.6-litre BlueHDi diesel. With CO₂ emissions of only 82g/km, the award citation praised its good looks, lighter chassis and improved engine range. The judges also said the car combines a positive driving experience with class-leading fuel economy.

At the Green Apple Auto Awards, run in conjunction with the Midland Group of Motoring Writers, the 308 was the winner in the Larger Family Cars category.

The judges said it was a car which shows PEUGEOT is coming back on form, with one saying: “I’ve chosen it because... style meets economy with no corners cut. A simply delightful car.”

Honda celebrates winning twice at the Green Apple awards.

The Honda Civic was awarded two Green Apple accolades at the Green Organisation awards 2014, with the Civic claiming Gold in the smaller family car section and the overall Green Apple champion runner up for 2014.

Now in its fourth year, the annual awards are held at the House of Commons with the winners of the automotive Green Apple awards selected by the 28 members of the Midland Group of Motoring Writers.

Having won the prestigious gold award in the smaller family car section, being described as ‘a superb all-rounder’, the 1.6 diesel Honda Civic won the honourable silver place as the overall champion for 2014 and was praised as a car that continues to surprise drivers with its real world fuel economy, using less fuel than hybrids, while still providing enough performance to keep most drivers happy.

The 1.6-litre i-DTEC diesel engine was the first engine from Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology series to be launched in Europe and is exclusively built at Honda’s manufacturing facility in Swindon.

The engine made its introduction in the Civic and offers a class-leading combination of power (120 PS) and torque (300 Nm @ 2000 rpm) with CO₂ emissions of just 94 g/km, giving an impressive balance between fuel economy and performance.

Rather than develop a specific, eco-focused derivative, the 1.6-litre i-DTEC is an extension of the existing Civic line-up, ensuring the variant doesn’t sacrifice any of the driving dynamics associated with the Honda badge.

Phillip Crossman, Managing Director at Honda UK, said: “Being recognised by both the Midland Group of Motoring Writers and the Green Organisation as a class leader, not just in one category but overall, is a fantastic badge of honour for the Honda Civic and we are delighted to have come away with two awards.”

The Green Apple Awards, Winners, and losers, and some weird choices.

Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV is a compelling winner

Mitsubishi's big but frugal Outlander PHEV has taken top spot in a set of awards for cars that mix modest thirst and emissions with the ability to entertain their drivers and keep running costs down in the real world.

The Green Apple Awards were presented on Monday (10 November) at the House of Commons. They are organised by the Midlands-based The Green Organisation and were judged by members of the Midland Group of Motoring Writers.

Midland Group chairman Ian Donaldson said: "When The Green Organisation asked us for our current green champions we wanted to go further than some other awards and look beyond the official figures and rank our favourites in the real world, taking into account how they performed in our hands."

One judge said of the Outlander PHEV: "Many car firms have claimed to have introduced a ground breaker in the past 12 months but this one really is. It embraces everything that’s good about new technology without compromise and has the potential to save you a small fortune. Mitsubishi’s decision to price it the same as diesel is the real clincher."

Second place overall went to the diesel engined Honda Civic, which judges said astonished them with its real world economy.

MGMW Green Apple Awards results in full

Superminis:

In silver position was the Suzuki Swift. It was described by one judge as 'reasonably frugal but balances that by being a hoot to drive while remaining a really honest car; there’s nothing pretentious about the model, it just looks good, is well built, has plenty of kit and sips at the fuel no matter how much fun you’re having.'

Winner in this category is the Skoda Citigo. One judge said: 'I've chosen the Citigo because...  it's a great drive, thoroughly practical with low consumption and a price tag to match.' Another said: 'The Citigo is a perfect demonstration of how a car can be economical, inexpensive, beautifully built and a pleasure to drive.'

Smaller family cars:

Another hard fought category this year with a long term favourite in second spot, in the shape of the Renault Clio. One judge said of the Clio: 'Good looks combine with an extremely frugal and fun to drive diesel engine to put the Clio near the top of anyone's list.'

Top spot goes to the Honda Civic with the 1.6 litre diesel engine. It was described by one judge thus: "The Civic 1.6 diesel provides real-world fuel economy that is staggering, even sipping less fuel than hybrids, while still providing enough performance to keep most drivers happy. A superb all-rounder."

Larger family cars:

In second spot is the BMW 3 Series, specifically the 320d version, while first place in 2014 goes to... the Peugeot 308. Here is a car that shows Peugeot is coming back on form, with a complete package that moved one judge to say: "I've chosen it because... style meets economy with no corners cut. A simply delightful car."

Smaller SUVs:

A long standing favourite makes it into second spot this time, in the still highly stylish shape of the Range Rover Evoque in eD4 Pure form. One judge said of the Evoque: "Still looking so stylish and still enjoying the enviable position of being both environmentally responsible and lusted after by its buyers."

Pole position goes to the latest version of the Nissan Qashqai. It was described by one judge as "superb quality, superb drive and awesome economy. A formidable family car."

Electric hybrids or pure electric vehicles:

We salute one of the brave pioneers, with the Vauxhall Ampera in second place. A judge said: "The Ampera can be proud of the way it has shown that family cars can be both very green and make a sound case for everyday family transport."

Topping this category is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. The Outlander was described by a Midland Group voter as "the sort of car that gives big 4x4s a good name and makes an utterly compelling business case for a lot of potential users."

Executive cars:

Midland Group members love the Jaguar XF and voted the diesel version into second place this time. We loved the way the XF continues to add a dash of British style to the roads of the world while returning the sort of real world economy considered the realm of smaller cars not so long ago.

In top spot in this category was the Audi A6. As one judge said: "BMW has led the way here for ages, but finally Audi has responded with the new ultra range. Powerful, economical and well priced, they’re a big step on and mean the ball is now in the court of its rivals."

Overall Green Apple champion for 2014 

There was strong support for two of our category winners, with an honourable silver place going to the Honda Civic, a car that continues to astonish drivers with its real world fuel economy. 

Our overall winner is... the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. 

One judge wrote: "Many car firms have claimed to have introduced a ground breaker in the past 12 months but this one really is. It embraces everything that’s good about new technology without compromise and has the potential to save you a small fortune. Mitsubishi’s decision to price it the same as diesel is the real clincher."

Range Rover Evoque honoured with a Green Organisation 2013 Green Apple award as the “greenest small SUV”

• Award, judged by members of the Midland Group of Motoring Writers, goes beyond official environmental statistics to look at real-world green performance, owner appeal and driving quality
• Second Green Apple win for Evoque following its debut success in 2012
• Award presented to Land Rover at the Houses of Parliament

The Range Rover Evoque has been named as the pick of the motoring crop in terms of day-to-day performance, winning a second successive Green Apple Award. Presented by the Green Organisation at a ceremony held at the Houses of Parliament, London, the award for “greenest vehicle” is judged by members of the Midland Group of Motoring Writers.

Evoque came out on top in the category for smaller SUVs and 4x4s, maintaining its advantage in the opinions of the professional journalist members of MGMW.

Ian Donaldson, group chairman, said: “Our members were asked for a third year to vote for their Green Apple Award winners, using the experience we have with the vehicles and the technology that lies behind them. However, we didn’t ask members simply to list the most fuel efficient cars as measured by official statistics. We wanted our nominations to reflect the real world that hard-pressed motorists must live in, and we wanted our winning cars to be good on the road, too.”

Members once again gave high praise to the Evoque, with remarks including “stunning looks, really easy to drive around town” and “it remains a car that turns every drive into an event, even going to the shops”.

A third judge commented: “Good to know that a car can both look great in town and still tackle the rough stuff if it has to. The Evoque is still the car that does both best in its class.”

The Green Organisation, based in Northamptonshire, is an independent, non-political and not-for-profit environment group dedicated to recognising, rewarding and promoting environmental best practice around the world. Its annual awards, launched in 1994, reflect environmental achievements and advances in all sectors and walks of life.

Jeremy Hicks, Managing Director, Jaguar Land Rover UK commented: “We are delighted with this second success in the Green Apple Awards, which we believe reflects the enduring qualities we have put at the heart of the Range Rover Evoque. Combining strong residual values and highly competitive cost of ownership, with ground-breaking contemporary styling and engineering makes it rewarding and practical for everyday driving, and a genuine Land Rover thanks to its excellent all-terrain abilities.

“In terms of its environmental profile, it demonstrates how our class-leading application of lightweight materials and construction techniques is delivering significant gains in fuel and emissions efficiency, without diminishing the fundamental strengths that are synonymous with the Land Rover brand.”