Top 3 CO2-Conscious Car Choices: European Cars Vol. 2 - Displacement Up to 2.0ℓ
Best 3 CO2-Conscious Car Choices
European Cars Vol. 2: Displacement Up to 2.0L Class - Best 1: MINI COOPER
MINI and BMW Take the Top Two Spots
MINI, a brand within the BMW Group, secured first place. Intriguingly, the CO2 emissions for the entry-level ONE and the more powerful Cooper are identical.
By Dai Matsuo
Compact Models Popular in Japan Round Out the Lineup
Taking first place is MINI, equipped with BMW's high-efficiency, high-output 1.6-liter engine. It was particularly interesting that both the ONE, with a modest 72kW of maximum output, and the Cooper, with a more powerful 90kW engine, registered the same 127g/km. Could this be due to the simple structure, lacking any special mechanisms beyond regenerative braking? Incidentally,Cooper Clubman, the CO2 emissions are 129g/km, and for the Cooper Convertible, it's 133g/km, showing subtle variations depending on body style. In second place is BMW's compact crossover, theX1.
Despite being a 2.0-liter engine, the "18" in the grade name suggests confidence in its high efficiency. The 2.0-liter inline-4 engine, which produces 150ps of maximum output and 200Nm of maximum torque, utilizes Valvetronic for fuel efficiency and sufficient power, along with Double VANOS for strong acceleration from low RPMs. The balance of appropriate body size, performance, and environmental friendliness makes its popularity in the Japanese market understandable. Following these two BMW Group models is an unusual contender: the R.S sport model of the Renault Twingo, which also ranked in the under-1.5-liter class. While also a 1.6-liter, it's a hot hatch that delivers a higher output of 134ps.
| Model | CO2 Emissions | Displacement | Max Output | Max Torque | Fuel Economy | Price |
| MINI COOPER | 127g/km | 1,598cc | 122ps | 160Nm | 20.0km/ℓ (10-15 mode) | 2.61 million yen |
| BMW X1 18i | 136g/km | 1,995cc | 150ps | 200Nm | 11.4km/ℓ (10-15 mode) | 3.63 million yen |
| RENAULT TWINGO R.S | 155g/km | 1,598cc | 134ps | 160Nm | 42.2mpg | 2.5 million yen |

