Think big, save fuel

Regarding Richard Brown's point about 4x4s (

) I concede that fact that the CO

figure fixes the vehicle excise duty (VED). This was poorly reported by the media coverage of last year's budget and was universally hailed as a '4x4 tax'.

However, to suggest he went past two 4x4s on an ice-covered hill in a VW Lupo could only mean the drivers didn't have 4WD engaged or they were asleep.

I have owned a number of 4x4s and the extra traction and improved roadholding they generate is unbelievable — you simply have to drive one to fully appreciate it.

In the case of the VW Lupo, it was designed for economy/ shopping and as such does not appear in the World Rally Championships — most entrants having been 4WD drive since the Audi Quattro become all conquering 27 years ago.

May I suggest that if Mr Brown is concerned about fuel consumption he should have been driving a larger car. He would then only needed to have made one trip to the shops and not two.