TOYOTA claims to have hit a combined fuel economy figure of 104mpg with its 'car of the near future', the ES3.

The four-seater has a kerb weight of 700kg, due to a body principally constructed of aluminium and plastic, with high aerodynamic efficiency.

This, combined with a 1.4-litre direct injection diesel engine with continuously variable transmission and an automatic shut-off facility when stopped in traffic, helped the car achieve the magic ton.

The Toyota Diesel Particulate-NOx Reduction system, which will feature on production cars in the near future, was used to help push CO2 emission levels down to 71g/km.

Electric energy used to restart the motor is generated through the braking system, which is a spin off from the technology used on the Prius.