Clean sweep for car buyers.

Byline: By CHRIS RUSSON

A NEW breed of super-eco car is set to save motorists pounds at the pump.

A credit-crunch-busting scenario, unveiled in Paris by the world's top auto-makers, will see those who opt for the latest green machines reap the benefits - including tax-free driving.

"The future starts here in Paris,"

Ford boss Alan Mulally announced, as the Blue Oval took the wraps off its new baby Ka, which will be available in EcoNetic guise, chopping CO2 outputs to below the 100g/km threshold where buyers pay no road tax under current rules.

Peugeot and Citroen used their home motor show to announce a range of hybrids. A crossover development of the Peugeot 308, the Prologue, will be on sale next year with a diesel-electric powertrain pumping out 200bhp, but with emissions as low as 109g/km.

Citroen is also going down the hybrid route, while Renault is planning to have a zero emission electric car based on its Kangoo be bop, on sale in the US and Japan by 2010.

Drivers will be able to hitch Volvo's 'plug-in' hybrid up to the mains electricity supply, while a conventional engine will offer the best of both worlds.

Land Rover is planning to use stopstart technology to clean up the gas guzzling image of 4x4s. A Freelander using the system will be on sale next year with 'in-town' fuel savings predicted at about 20 per cent - emissions down from 194 to 179g/km.

Hybrid pioneer Toyota announced its Lexus luxury models will soon boast the technology, and unveiled its new iQ city car, which would offer 99g/km emissions from a one-litre petrol engine.

Honda, also a field-leader will soon offer hybrid engines in all its models while Korean car makers Kia and Hyundai have hydrogen hybrids under development.

And US firm Chevrolet gave Europe its production ready Volt electric car.

The message from Paris is as clear as it is clean. Car companies are moving rapidly to slash emissions bringing benefits for all - unless politicians move the goalposts.

CAPTION(S):

HYBRIDS - above, the Volvo concept, including conventional engine, and left, the new Ford Ka unveiled, in Paris