Car Tax for Ford Focus Automatic

[Ian1]

I've just had to buy Car Tax for the first time for a Ford Focus 1.6 LX Automatic. I was amazed that the fee was �205 for 12 months. As the prices are based on CO2 emissions, the value is 188 G/km. This seems a lot for a 1.6 Focus. Other examples in the same band (F) are
Land Rover Freelander 2.0 diesel (205 g/km)
Toyota RAV4 2.0 litre petrol (211 g/km)
BMW 5 series estate 3.0 diesel (212 g/km)
Mazda MX5 2.0 petrol (191 g/km)
Ford Mondeo 2.0 petrol
Toyota Avensis 1.8i petrol
Volvo XC90 2.4 diesel
BMW 730d 3.0 diesel

So, are Automatics penalized?

[furrycheeky]

Automatics always make the engine work harder it seems than a manual. They are always in a higher band.

[bazmoore]

dont want to appear to gloat.

but the annual road tax on my volvo s40 1.9 diesel is only �115! just renewed it today.

baz

[Annlinda]

My 2005 1.6 Focus LX automatic cost me �165.00 last month. I've had a look on DVLA site and its still �165.00 for that spec focus