MITSUBISHI'S super-economical Carisma GDI has won widespread praise from fleet decision-makers who tested the car in Austria last week. The manufacturer took 19 fleet managers, leasing company and rental firm representatives to Vienna to drive the vehicle, which combines petrol engine performance with fuel efficiency more akin to diesel units.

The GDI 1.8 has a combined fuel economy figure of 45.56mpg, but promises to be quieter, cleaner and - with a 0-60mph time of 10 seconds - speedier than diesel. Mitsubishi corporate sales manager David Lingwood said: 'We were delighted with the response from people who came on the trip. They were very impressed by the engine, which actually feels like the equivalent of a 2.0-litre petrol. We are now looking to do a significant number of roadshows, taking the car out on a regional basis, next year.'