[Civic Fan]

Originally Posted by Type S Bournemouth

The type S is no quicker than the 5 dr. its the same engine in both the petrol and diesel forms. But the highest ive ever got out of the diesel is only 45 round town and thats not often. Mostly around the 40mpg. I am lucky to get 375 miles out of a tank. On a motorway it went to around 55mpg.

My thinking behind my last post was that sporty version owners were more inclined to ’enjoy’(read thrash) the car more often than the normal run of the mill versions. This will not be true of all owners I agree. Although the cars are fitted with the same engines, there is a difference in curb weight across the range which may account for some of the differences in the mpg that many members have encountered. Driving style, and type of roads is the main factor as no two journeys and drivers will be the same so its hard to compare in the real world unless under test conditions. The official figures as I understand are bench type tests on a static rolling road or even on an engine out of the car over various types of speeds/time durations. I have a 1.8 se which is returning around 44 mpg on average. That is much better than any petrol car weighing much less I’ve had in the past. I have also driven the 2.2 diesel and find that it requires a different style of driving than the petrol. It’s easier to light up the red lights as there is a smaller power band which combined with the slight turbo lag of the diesel makes you want to push the car harder than equivalent petrol cars. I have come from a 1.9 diesel Volvo and find the 1.8 petrol to be very nearly as economical and just as quick even though I have not yet pushed it over 4000 rpm. It’s also smother and more pleasurable to drive. The only sure way to increase MPG is to be light on the accelerator and think much further ahead on every journey to reduce hard acceleration and braking. Speed also effects mpg. 80 as apposed to 70 or 65 will have a big impact especially over a long distance

Interesting question though, is there a car on sale now, like for like that gives better economy, pleasure and reliability