Europe's 15 lightest cars
One of the keys to saving fuel is being light. However, the latest technologies in safety and the array of power accessories we all have in our cars all add weight to our cars, hurting fuel economy while they make driving more comfortable and save lives. Of course, technology has helped us recover some fuel economy, but nothing beats a low scale presence to help make your car a fuel sipper. When you click after the jump, we'll show you a list of Europe's 15 lightest cars. They're all under the 1 ton (metric) mark and, except for two remarkable exceptions (one is shown above), they all deliver top-notch fuel economy, low emissions and they're usually easy to park.
[Source: Auto News]
| Name | Power (fuel) | Engine size | l/100 km (mpg) | kg (pounds) |
| Fiat 500 1.2 8V Pop | 69 hp (gas) | 1.242 l | 5.1 (46) | 940 (2072) |
| Daihatsu Copen | 87 hp (gas) | 1.298 l | 6.0 (39) | 925 (2039) |
| Fiat Panda 1.1 8V Active | 55 hp (gas) | 1.108 l | 5.7 (41) | 915 (2017) |
| Suzuki Alto 1.0 Club Auto | 68 hp (gas) | 0.996 l | 5.2 (45) | 880 (1941) |
| Toyota Aygo 1.0 3-door Citroën C1 1.0 Advance |
68 hp (gas) | 0.998 l | 4.5 (52) | 875 (1929) |
| Morgan 4/4 1.8 16V Lowline | 111 hp (gas) | 1.796 l | 8.2 (29) | 868 (1913) |
| Peugeot 107 70 Petit Filou | 68 hp (gas) | 0.998 l | 4.5 (52) | 865 (1907) |
| Daihatsu Trevis 1.0 Junior | 58 hp (gas) | 0.989 l | 4.8 (49) | 865 (1907) |
| Lotus Elise S | 136 hp (gas) | 1.796 l | 8.3 (28) | 860 (1895) |
| smart fortwo cabrio 1.0 mhd pure | 71 hp (gas) | 0.999 l | 4.4 (53) | 855 (1885) |
| Chevrolet Matiz 0.8 S | 52 hp (gas) | 0.796 l | 5.2 (45) | 850 (1874) |
| Toyota iQ 1.0 | 68 hp (gas) | 0.998 l | 4.3 (55) | 845 (1863) |
| Daihatsu Cuore 1.0 | 70 hp (gas) | 0.998 l | 4.4 (53) | 840 (1851) |
| smart fortwo cabrio 1.0 mhd 45kW | 51 hp (gas) | 0.999 l | 4.3 (55) | 825 (1818) |
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joe 10:17AM (3/25/2009)
Lotus Elise S - 860 kg. (From UK site)
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Brn 11:31AM (3/25/2009)
Interesting that the US version of the Fourtwo is 28% heavier than the UK version. That's more than significant.
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Arumage 11:45AM (3/25/2009)
Smart's US website lists weight as 1808 lbs. which is 10 lbs lighter than what's listed here.
Brn 1:15PM (3/25/2009)
I got my figure from Edmunds, which listed it at 2318. I suspect Smart probably knows their vehicles better than Edmunds does. Thanks for the correction.
jim 10:02AM (3/26/2009)
Since there is no measurement standard for vehicle weight, manufacturers will define their own. For some curb weight is devoid of all fluids, for others it means that the gas tank is empty. Some take out the spare tire and jack and the measured vehicle has no options. Manufactures that provide a road ready weight may measure with a full tank of fuel or maybe only half a tank.
Edmunds and the car magazines who do perform tests and measurements rather than just accept the factory numbers, usually weight the vehicle with a full tank and since they are normally testing cars with most if not all options, they'll be the heaviest. IMHO the weights and performance figures from companies like Edmunds, Consumer Reports or even enthusiast mags like Car & Driver, more accurately reflect the vehicle that sits in the show room.
In reality the only way to know what your vehicle ways is to take it to a commercial scale and see. I might add that this particularly important for those hauling campers and trailers.
Ronald Jones 12:41PM (5/07/2009)
Edmunds also list the curb weight as 1808. The curb weight in the U.S. for all manufacturers is with all fluids including a full tank of fuel. There’s no way it would be a 507 pound difference. Edmunds list gross weight as 2315. That’s the maximum allowable weight of the vehicle with passengers and all cargo.
Mark 11:45AM (3/25/2009)
What should the second Daihatsu Trevis be?
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Sebastian 11:56AM (3/25/2009)
Sorry. It's really the Lotus Elise S. Post has been updated.
shopa 12:17PM (3/25/2009)
Light weight cars are usually less safe in collisions.
I have invented a way to make small cars safer in collisions.
www.safersmallcars.com
Please help me promote this invention.
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Matt 4:09PM (3/25/2009)
Nonsense. From your site:
"""In the December 2008 issue of Scientific American there is an article on "Crashless Cars".
At the bottom of page 88 it states that lightweight cars are one way to get more fuel economy. It then states that
"Unfortunately, such 'lightweighting' often results in vehicles with less robust structures that tend to sustain more damage in collisions."""
More damage does not mean less safe. What would you rather be in - a car that safely crumples hugely around you in a collision, or one that is solid as a rock?
If you thought solid as a rock then guess what - the car did nothing to help you and your organs took the brunt of the impact. A vehicle - large or small - that suffers huge but safe damage in collisions is absorbing energy so your internal organs don't have to. Your invention is not needed and would add hugely to the weight of cars.
Big is not safe.
Compare the results of a typical large american style "bigger is better" vehicle mentality in crash tests here: http://www.euroncap.com/tests/chrysler_voyager_2007/277.aspx
...to the results of a typical small European style vehicle in a crash test here: http://www.euroncap.com/tests/mazda_2_2007/306.aspx
I know which I'd rather be in.
Mr Brody 3:37PM (3/25/2009)
What about the 10 year old honda insight?
70 hp (gas) 1.0L, 3.65 L/100km (65.5 mpg) combined, 852kg (1880 lb) w/ AC.
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HeyHuub 11:15AM (3/26/2009)
ANd is the Honda Insight still on sale?
Killroy 4:58PM (3/26/2009)
The new 4-door, Prius copy, Insight will not be that light and fuel efficient.
John 10:51AM (3/26/2009)
Don't forget the Caterham Classic, which weighs in at a mere 525 kg. The 1.4 liter engine makes 105 hp.
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