(Wed 17 Jun 09)

Ford has doubled the choice of low-CO2 ECOnetic models in its Mondeo range. Previously, if you wanted a car like this you had to opt for either the five-door hatchback or the estate version of the 1.8 TDCi turbo diesel, but now a two-litre turbo diesel ECOnetic is available in both body styles.

You might expect the larger-engined car to be more expensive, and indeed it is - prices start at £20,795, compared with £19,645. But from here on expectations are confounded, because the 2.0 is actually less powerful (113bhp) than the 1.8 (123bhp), and is correspondingly slower with a top speed of 121mph and a 0-62mph time of 10.9 seconds.

Is the 2.0 more economical, then? Only just - combined fuel consumption is 1mpg better at 54.3mpg, and the CO2 rating for both cars, in either body style, is 139g/km. That means Band E for VED and annual tax payments of £120, dropping to £110 next April, which is the same as the 1.8 but certainly better than the standard 2.0 TDCi's £150, rising to £155.

The fuel-saving measures are familiar to people who follow this kind of thing: a revised ECU, low rolling resistance tyres, reduced ride height and various aerodynamic tweaks. The 2.0 ECOnetic also has dual-zone temperature control air-conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control, seven airbags, a heated windscreen, ESP, traction control and Brake Assist as standard.

Why would you buy one? Well, it makes sense for company car drivers, but private buyers might as well go for the cheaper, faster and no less economical 1.8 instead.

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