Lupo Comes Top in RAC Test

Eighty of ten standard production cars clocked up significantly improved mpg of up to 30% by using economy-driving techniques, it was revealed at the International Motor Show.

The RAC / Fleet World Marathon challenged motoring journalists, professional fleet drivers and manufacturers to drive a 600 mile course in two days after training from RAC experts.

The best outright fuel economy in a car was s79.35 mpg achieved by a Volkswagen Lupo TDi. That was 23.6% better than the manufacturer's figures. And that even beat the miserly hybrid Honda Insight. The Lupo TDi is not available in LHD in the UK. But next week, Dr. Ferdinand Piech, chairman of Volkswagen will be discussing the car as GUEST SPEAKER in AutoWired. The TDi is known as the '3-litre car' because of its ability to travel 100Km (94-miles) on 3-litres of fuel.

Best overall percentage improvement, 30.65%, was the Chrysler Voyager TD.

Lord Whitty, minister for roads, presented the 17 class winners with their awards at the NEC in Birmingham.

The RAC said that economy-driving techniques, combined with modern engine technology, was conclusively shown to squeeze the maximum mileage from every single gallon.

Cars used in the Marathon ranged from the futuristic Honda Insight to the high performance Audi RS4. No less than 80% of passenger cars taking part improved their `official' mpg figures.

John Kerswill, who won the best overall percentage improvement over quoted mpg figures in the Chrysler Voyager TD, said: "The fact that we improved by a third on the figure with tough driving conditions shows what you can do to improve your fuel economy."

The Somerset-based freelance journalist added: "Drivers need to improve their standards and it's tragic that the government doesn't make any move to improve peoples driving in safety and fuel economy.

"I would love to see the public educated on how to drive efficiently and safely. The government should take a leading role in educating drivers rather than clobbering them with speed cameras and taking a positive part in getting people to drive safer."

David Madgwick, who won best outright fuel economy in the Volkswagen Lupo TDi, said: "It might be a good idea to have a fuel consumption scheme to educate drivers, maybe as they are learning to drive."

All Volkswagen Group communications and photos reproduced with permission of Volkswagen UK