New Porsche 718 Boxster S bags top NOx rating in latest EQUA Index results
11 May 2016. The first 4-cylinder Porsche Boxster has scored an A grade on the recently launched EQUA Air Quality Index, adding to a list of significant accolades since its launch.
The independent EQUA Index helps clear consumers’ confusion over real-world NOx emissions and provides the automotive industry with a level playing field. The latest batch of cars added to the scheme includes models from Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Porsche, and covers both petrol and diesel models.
Continuing the trend highlighted on the scheme’s launch, petrol cars typically emit less NOx than diesel models, with nine of the ten petrol cars tested receiving the A rating. In contrast, the best diesel rating this month was C, with three cars clearly ahead of the rest tested.
Proving that petrol-powered sports cars are capable of lower NOx emissions, the new Porsche 718 2.5 Boxster S was joined in the A band by the Porsche 911 Carrera S Coupe and the Audi TT 1.8 TSFI Sport. Ford also fared well, with the new Ford Focus RS and Ford Kuga 1.5 EcoBoost in the top band.
The cleanest diesels added this month were revealed to be the BMW 3-Series 320d ED, Volkswagen Passat CC 2.0TDI and the Skoda Superb 1.6 TDI, with each receiving a C rating.
The 19 cars added to the EQUA Index this month were all Euro 6 models, joining more than 460 vehicles ratings that are available now from: www.equa.emissionsanalytics.com.
The programme will continuously add new vehicles to its database.
With ratings openly published and freely available to all, including vehicle manufacturers and consumers, the EQUA Index is an ongoing programme to provide an easy to understand sticker clearly showing each car’s performance.
Developed by Emissions Analytics, the world’s leading independent provider of real-world emissions measurement, the EQUA Index allows manufacturers to demonstrate their vehicles’ clean credentials, and provide data to policymakers on progress in the drive to improve air quality.
Intended to complement the forthcoming Real Driving Emissions regulations for new vehicle certification, the EQUA Air Quality Index will help monitor vehicle performance when driven normally on roads, and the effectiveness of the new regulations.
Notes to Editors
All available EQUA Air Quality index data is available from the programme’s website www.equa.emissionsanalytics.com/ including the new cars mentioned above.
Nick Molden, CEO and founder of Emissions Analytics, is available for interview and comment on the issues relating to real-world fuel economy data and vehicle emissions.
About the EQUA Air Quality Index
The EQUA Air Quality Index for the European Union is designed to evaluate the performance of individual passenger cars in terms of tailpipe nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions under real-world driving conditions. The scheme will assess cars using objective performance criteria, recognising the best performers in emission levels through the ratings awarded.
The ongoing programme will be separate from, and independent of, vehicle manufacturers’ certification tests. The results will be publicly available, with the aim of influencing policy development and implementation, allowing consumers to make informed purchase decisions and demonstrating the improvements that vehicle manufacturers are making to bring about improvements in air quality.
Developed by Emissions Analytics, the world’s leading independent provider of real-world emissions measurement, the EQUA Index allows manufacturers to demonstrate their vehicles’ clean credentials, and provide data to policymakers on progress in the drive to improve air quality.
The EQUA Index is owned, funded and operated by Emissions Analytics, which retains all rights associated with the results and ratings.
A technical reference document on the methodology is available on request.
About Emissions Analytics
Emissions Analytics is a specialist in real-world, on-road vehicle emissions measurement and analysis, covering the European Union and the United States.
Its capabilities cover the measurement of regulated pollutants, including CO, CO2, NO, NO2, NOx, total hydrocarbons and particulate matter, using officially certified Portable Emissions Measurement Systems (PEMS).
Operating since 2011, it has carried out PEMS tests on more than 1000 model variants of passenger car in addition to testing heavy goods vehicles, tractors, taxis, vans and buses. It is the unrivalled expert in the field of on-road emissions monitoring.
Its bespoke services include benchmark tests, product evaluation and real-world running costs and it offers subscription access to its database of test results, as well as confidential testing services for product development and evaluation.
As experts in vehicle emissions and fuel consumption, Emissions Analytics supports a range of commercial and publicly funded organisations. It is currently in partnership with Imperial College, London, studying urban emissions for transport planning and policy.
Emissions Analytics is willing to provide journalists with sample data for specific vehicles upon request.
For more information, please contact:
Alex Michaelides (Torque): 020 7952 1078, amichaelides@torqueagencygroup.com
