The British car market has seen a substantial drop in average new car CO2 levels, with CO2 emissions falling by 5.1 per cent in the final quarter of last year according to green motoring website . Average CO2 last year was 158.7g/km, with the last quarter averaging 155.43g/km CO2, compared with the same quarter in 2007 at 163.36g/km.

"The car market is seeing unprecedented falls in average CO2 outputs at present. While the car industry is claiming the credit, this is only half the story. It is true that cars are getting steadily more efficient, but the recession is having a much bigger impact by making people choose smaller, more economical models," commented Jay Nagley, publisher of www.cleangreencars.co.uk.

Meanwhile, the new Mini One Clubman will make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The new entry-level model will be powered by a 1.4-litre four cylinder petrol engine, as featured in the Mini One hatch version, producing 95bhp and coupled to a six-speed manual gear box as standard. The new model promises decent economy too with a combined fuel consumption figure of 52.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 130g/km. The Clubman entry-model will be priced from £13,290.