ANYONE buying a new car will soon be able to assess how environmentally friendly a vehicle is through new colour-coded labels, which have been unveiled by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling. The fuel efficiency labels, which are similar to those displayed on fridges, ovens and other white goods, are intended to help get across information to car buyers on how they can save money and help the environment. All 42 car brands in the UK have signed up to the introduction of the voluntary scheme, and the label is due to be in all UK car showrooms by September 1. As well as highlighting the fuel efficiency of every new car on sale, the labels also contain information on how much motorists can expect to pay in fuel bills in a typical year for a particular car, and whether the car qualifies for a reduction in Vehicle Excise Duty.

THE Aston Martin DB9 was the UK's most lusted-after car of 2004, a recent poll by MSN.co.uk has revealed. The model was the vehicle of choice for 35 per cent of Britons who took part in the survey, giving it 4,645 votes - some 3,000 ahead of the second placed Ferrari F430. In third place was the new Volkswagen Golf with 667 votes. The small hatchback and saloon Kia Cerato was the least popular car of 2004 with only six votes. Other cars that didn't get out of first gear included the Daewoo Lacetti with 13 votes and Seat Toledo with 14 votes.