2011 Daihatsu Move most economical non-hybrid car

It uses, on average, just 3.7L/100km. An outstanding rating for any car. And we hear what you're saying, it's not about to blitz any hill climb time-trial records, but it does come with a 660cc, or 0.6-litre, engine offering 39kW of power. It may not be powerful, but the engine uses a number of brand new technologies not yet seen on more expensive cars.

The tiny little engine incorporates something Daihatsu calls, i-EGR (a revised version of Daihatsu's Exhaust Gas Recirculation technology), which monitors the combustion state using ions.

The car also features the world's first idle stop/start system to be used in conjunction with a CVT transmission. It's also the first car to use an electronic, plastic throttle body. All these features, including the car's mass of just 685kg, contribute to the remarkable fuel consumption claim.

It may not look all that small or short on the outside, but the overall length of the Move is just 3395mm - or slightly shorter than a Fiat 500. The Move still offers seating for four adults though with some leftover space in the rear compartment for luggage.

Daihatsu is making both front-wheel drive versions and four-wheel drive versions, and hopes to sell around 12,000 per month in its local market.

Prices start at 1.066 million Yen (around $12,800) for the base model 'X' in two-wheel drive form.