MITSUBISHI is to launch 2.4 gasoline direct injection engine versions of the recently launched facelifted Galant at the London Motor Show at Earl's Court in three weeks' time. Mitsubishi claims that the GDI's 20% cut in greenhouse gases, a 20% improvement in fuel economy and a 10% increase in power when compared to a conventional petrol engine of equivalent capacity makes it one of the 'greenest' cars on the road.

With Vehicle Excise Duty and company car tax due to be based on a vehicle's carbon dioxide emissions, Mitsubishi says fleets will be able to buy a more powerful car - the 2.4 GDI (196g/km of CO2) - instead of a 2.0-litre Toyota Avensis (197g/km) or a 1.8 Audi A6 (199g/km) which have practically the same emission levels. On-the-road prices are: saloon manual £19,600, saloon automatic £20,750, estate manual £20,500, estate automatic £21,650.