Honda is in the news again, this time for contributing to saving the environment. Ironical isnt it? Honda has since long been setting a very important and significant example for the fossil-fuel-based auto industry worldwide. Their Civic GX has been nominated as the most ‘green car’ in the States for the year 2008, beating over 1300 competing models! Well, that’s not all: the CNG Civic GX has been doing it for the past four consecutive years, 2008 being the fifth!

Fueled by compressed natural gas, GX scored 57 on an ideal 100 point scale – a hypothetical score that no vehicle can ever achieve! The rankings were published by American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE), Washington D.C, in their 11the annual Green Book.

To the dread of environmentalists, rankings have also revealed Volkswagen’s V10 Touareg SUV as environmentally the most hazardous car beating close rivals like the Bugatti Veyron, Lamborghini Murcielago or even the Hummer H2!

1300 Models Rated

A comprehensive survey of it’s kind, ACEEE rated 1300 vehicles on factors such as fuel economy, greenhouse gas emissions, federal and California emissions ratings, health-related pollution hazards and estimated fuel expenses of each model in its rankings.

Topping the list, the Civic GX scored 57 points whereas Touareg stood at rock bottom – scoring just 14 points out of 100! Toyota’s Prius seconded GX to score 53 points. Other stellar performers included the Toyota Yaris, Smart Fortwo and the Ford Focus PZEV.

Small Cars, Hybrids in High Demand

To the relieving surprise of ACEEE researchers, the demand for the most fuel-efficient small cars has been steadily increasing. They witnessed 33 percent rise in sales in 2007 with the Yaris, Chevrolet Aveo and Honda Fit being top gainers. Hybrids did even better to witness a 40 percent rise in sales in the same period.

Growing fuel prices and concern about environment are known to be the many possible reasons to boost the sales of the most fuel efficient small cars.

Here goes the list for some of the best and worst performers of the Green Book

Top Performers :

1. Honda Civic GX, 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder compressed natural gas engine, automatic transmission, 57 points.

2. Toyota Prius, 1.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine with hybrid electric drive, continuously variable transmission (CVT), 53 points.

3. Honda Civic Hybrid, 1.3-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with hybrid electric drive, CVT, 51 points.

4. Smart Fortwo, 1.0-liter, 3-cylinder gasoline engine, manually adjustable automatic, 49 points.

5. Toyota Yaris, 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder gasoline engi ne, manual transmission, 46 points.

Worst Performers:

1. Volkswagen Touareg, 5-liter V10 diesel, manually adjustable automatic scores 14 points.

2. Bugatti Veyron, 8-liter, V16 gasoline engine, manually adjustable automatic,17 points.

3. Mercedes-Benz GL320 CDI, 3-liter, six-cylinder diesel, automatic 4-wheel drive,17 points.

4. Mercedes-Benz R320 CDI, 3-liter, six-cylinder diesel, automatic, 4-wheel drive,17 points.

5. Jeep Grand Cherokee, 3-liter, six-cylinder diesel, automatic, 4-wheel drive, 17 points.

Well its not surprising that all the worst performers are those with big engines and four wheel drive.