MPG Marathon records tumble | Car Talk - Car News Oct 2017

11:24 Monday 09 Oct 2017

A standard Ford Fiesta has achieved a record-breaking 122mpg over the course of the two-day Fleet World/ALD Automotive MPG Marathon.

The event, which challenges cars and their drivers to achieve maximum fuel economy in a real-world environment, took place last week on a 350 mile-plus route taking in Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Shropshire, Northamptonshire, and Warwickshire. The winning team of Paul Clifton and Ian McKean recorded the 122mpg figure behind the wheel of a Ford Fiesta 1.5TDCi Titanium, the highest ever figure for a diesel car in the event. A sister car, a Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost Titanium driven by Andy Dawson and Andrew Marriott, set a new petrol record of 97.1mpg.

There were some impressive results by cars massively outstripping their official fuel economy figures. The official combined figure for the Honda Jazz 1.3 i-VTEC EX Navi Manual is 55.4mpg, but the team of Fergal McGrath and Doug Clifton beat this by 60%, achieving 88.7mpg and collecting the Most Improved category crown in the process.
Electric power was represented by the Hyundai Ioniq Electric of leasing company ALD Automotive pairing Chris Britten and Hannah Dunsdon, whose 6.2 miles per kilowatt-hour average represented a 15% increase over the official NEDC figure, while Van Fleet World editor Dan Gilkes and co-driver Ray Penford achieved a 10% uplift on the official manufacturer figure for the Renault Kangoo Z E by averaging 4.5 miles per kilowatt-hour. Both achievements offer a potential range of close to 200 miles between recharging stops.

Alex Grant, editor of organisers Fleet World, said: “For the first time ever, every single vehicle in the MPG Marathon beat its official figure, which suggests that manufacturers have really got their house in order over fuel economy claims. That the winners achieved record-breaking figures, with even small, highly-efficient cars beating brochure figures by wide margins, shows engine technology is moving on rapidly in all its forms, which is great news for consumers. The drivers of these cars also prove that technique and skill are also vital in fuel economy. Understanding the technology and how it is best utilised can bring huge savings in fuel costs.”