With emissions campaigners on the warpath, Iain Dooley asks whether the time is right for a petrol renaissance. Everyone wants diesel cars banned from cities, and with street-level diesel particulate emissions being increasingly linked to serious diseases, the debate over its future is hotting up. Fortunately, petrol power is witnessing a bit of a renaissance, with loads of efficient, fun and practical models springing up across the board. Here are a few ideas to tempt you away from the black pump for good.

Audi A3
Audi’s trick ‘cylinder on demand’ tech offers automatic two-cylinder running to reduce fuel consumption with no loss of refinement.

Fiat 500
Fiat’s two-cylinder TwinAir motor sounds funky and you sacrifice little in the real world. Think ‘posh 2CV’ without the quirks.

Hyundai i10
Less than 100g/km CO2 emissions, plus a big-car feel from a larger-than-average platform means you can feel like a king despite paying peanuts.

Suzuki Alto
Suzuki’s Alto looks like a typical quirky Japanese city car, and a simple little petrol engine tuned for efficiency makes it a super-affordable option.

4207Caterham Seven 160
Caterham thinks it’s possible to have fun with ‘only’ 160 horses, and this stripped-out giggle-machine cleverly blends fast with frugal.

Ford Focus
Ford’s three-cylinder Ecoboost offers smooth, peppy performance while delivering low CO2, making it perfect for (legally) dodging tax.

Mini Hatch
Mini’s efforts at making motoring more affordable mean super-mini economy with a premium-car feel. Even the hot models sip gently at their fuel tanks.

Renault Twingo
An engine in the boot and low emissions mean the Twingo is both fun to drive and frugal. Four doors mean it’s practical, too.