The Ford Fiesta 1,6 TDCi Ambiente has been named the most fuel efficient vehicle currently on sale in South Africa after it claimed that title at the 36th annual Total Economy Run in Mpumalanga last week. Fifty three crews covered 1 105 km in two days.
Driven by Stuart Greig and Wynand Gerber, the Fiesta TDCi consumed just 4,48 litres/100 km of diesel fuel, taking the victory in Class L of the event, as well as overall honours. Despite the lowly thirst for fuel, the Fiesta produces 66 kw at 4 000 r/min and packs 200 N.m of torque at as low as 1 500 r/min.
“We were extremely impressed with the Fiesta and the exceptional results we were able to achieve this weekend. The competition was stiff but the Fiesta was up to the challenge,” Greig said.
The points haul didn’t end there for the Blue Oval as the Fiesta 1,6 five-door Titanium, driven by Charl Wilken and Greg Godrich, took victory in Class C – sipping just 6,10 litres/100 km.
Another big winner (for petrol engined cars) was the Peugeot 107 driven by Radio Tygerberg’s Jeanette Kok-Kritzinger and Riette Wannenburg, which used 5,06 litres/100 km during the event. “On the uphills we had to preserve fuel by driving steadily and do everything we could to maintain momentum but on the downhills “Daisy” – as we christened our 107 – was more than capable of handling the turns and corners as we worked hard to make up time,” Kok-Kritzinger said aftward.
Also victorious were BMW’s 530d in class O and 120d in class M, which recorded figures of just 6,6 litres/100 km and 5,2-litres/100 km respectively.
