June 27, 2005 A husband and wife team of economy driving experts has set a remarkable record for fuel economy from a standard automatic Peugeot 407 HDi sedan. Driving a new 407 HDi sedan each, John Taylor set out to drive from Darwin to Adelaide on less than AUD$150 (EU 94 Euro = US$115) worth of fuel, and wife Helen wanted to see just how far she could get on one tank of fuel in an automatic diesel car. Travelling 1445.6 kilometres on just one tank, Helen’s achievement is believed to be a world record for the longest distance driven on one tank of fuel for an automatic vehicle while John achieved his goal completing the 2991km journey on just 115.55 litres giving him an average fuel consumption of 3.86 litres per 100km (73.57 mpg).
John Taylor set a world economy record previously when he drove a Peugeot 307 HDi around Australia using only AUD$540 (US$414) worth of fuel, averaging an amazing 3.5 litres per 100km’s during his journey.
With the release of the new 407 HDi model, John and his wife Helen were invited by Peugeot Automobiles Australia’s Managing Director, Rob Dommerson, to put it to the test - by driving across Australia, through some of the country’s harshest conditions.
Setting off from Darwin last Tuesday, the couple travelled in convoy down the Stuart Highway and arrived in Adelaide lunchtime on Sunday. (rest day included in Alice Springs).
Both John and Helen were cleary impressed with the 407 HDi. “The Peugeot 407 is an amzingly economical vehicle, so safe and well equipped, not to mention such stylish looks that created a great deal of interest along the way” said John. Helen added “The 407 has all the creature comforts you would want on a long drive, and it has the most comfortable seats I have ever driven in.”
The entire journey was strictly scrutinized, including official police observance by Senior Constable Malcolm Durrant from the Victorian Police Force. The vehicles were also inspected by the NRMA 'Motoring & Services Dept', to have their odometers checked for accuracy and to validate the fuel tanks were factory fitted.
John and Helen Taylor’s Top Ten Tips for Economical Driving:
1. Preparation - Ensure the Vehicle is in top tune, by having it serviced regularly. Watch for black exhaust smoke, which indicates the engine is burning fuel needlessly. Check tyre pressures regularly. Soft tyres not only result in up to 5% of your fuel being wasted, they also wear out quicker.
2. Attitude - Relax! Drive smoothly. Fast starts burn four times as much fuel as gentle acceleration. Observe the traffic flow ahead to avoid sudden braking.
3. Plan Your Trip - Avoid peak hour traffic if possible and work out the most direct route before your journey commences. Using motorways, autobahns, uses less fuel than driving on suburban streets.
4.Travel Light - Don't carry excess weight by using the boot/trunk as a storage area, for tool boxes, etc. You are simply calling on extra effort from your engine every time you accelerate.
5.Keep It Shut - Keeping windows closed improves your cars aerodynamic efficiency. An open window can increase fuel consumption by up to 5%. Remove roof racks if not being used, they cause significant air drag.
6.Minimise Use Of Air Conditioning - Unless it's freezing, or sweltering, keep the air conditioner off (fan is usually sufficient for cool or warm air flow into the vehicle). It is a major fuel thief in traffic, increasing fuel consumption by up to 10%.
7.Go For The Higher Gears - Automatic transmissions know how to select a higher gear when you ease off the throttle. If you are using a manual car, go for the next gear as soon as the car can handle it, without lugging.
8. Slow Down - If the cameras don't catch you, your wallet will. Travelling at 90 km/h on the open road uses 25% less fuel than at 110 km/h in most cars.
9. Turn Off - Don't let your car idle unnecessarily in the morning, in major traffic hold ups, or when waiting for someone. Don't rev the engine before switching off, it wastes fuel and contrary to popular opinion, doesn't make it easier to start next time.
10. Driving Ability - To be a successful economy driver, you need to be able to read the road ahead, have good concentration, understanding of your vehicle, and most importantly, the will to be a Winner, with dogged determination.
If you add all the above ten tips, to your driving portfolio, by simply applying these rules, every driver has the ability to slash up to 20% off their weekly fuel bill, a major saving in these sky high fuel price times.
The 407 HDi is powered by a responsive 2.0 litre turbo charged-engine, equipped with a particulate emission filter (FAP) developing 100 kW and an amazing 320 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. With a torque figure comparable to a 3.6 litre V6 petrol engine, the HDi 407 delivers a dynamic driving experience without penalising you at the bowser. Employing common rail, high-pressure direct injection technology, has a four valve per cylinder engine for optimal induction and exhaust, an intercooler for greater combustion efficiency; and a variable geometry turbocharger.
Furthermore, the 407 HDi is compliant with strict ‘Euro 4 legislation’, as it eliminates particles by means of its particulate filter resulting in a very clean emission, and has low outputs of harmful greenhouse gasses (CO2 155 g/km).
Helen will be applying to the Guinness World Records organization for official validation.