I was pleased to get 49.4 mpg real whilst averaging 53mph over 760 miles. The combined "book" figure for my 2007 Volvo D5 manual was shown as 41.5mpg and for model year 2013 is 55.4mpg - a very significant improvement. Even if I were to only get 10mpg better in the real world with a new D5 it would be a good saving. You have often written about real v/s EC mpg, but if the rules for the EC tests have not been changed in the last five years then surely the comparison should still be valid? Is there anything else I should think about with similar performance and carrying capacity?