The annual ALD Automotive / Shell FuelSave MPG Marathon saw competitors achieve staggering fuel economy, with the winning entry coming close to breaking the 100mpg milestone-as yet never reached in the event’s eleven year history.
The event took place on Wednesday October 5 and Thursday October 6, with participants putting their economy driving skills to the test around a 380-mile route from the starting and finishing line at the Four Pillars Hotel, South Cerney, near Cirencester.
For the third year in a row, a smart fortwo CDi was crowned eco-champion, achieving the best miles to the gallon rating in the economy challenge. Driven by former racing driver Mick Linford and co-driven by Ella Flynn, the pair used less than four gallons of diesel to cover the course, achieving an astonishing 99.24mpg.
In second place came a Suzuki Swift 1.3 DDis. As piloted by motoring journalists Peter Cracknell and Dave Randle, the model achieved an impressive 86.4mpg. In third place came former Top Gear presenter Sue Baker who astounded crowds, getting 85.98mpg out of her family-sized Skoda Octavia Greenline.
Organised by Fleet World magazine, the Marathon also recognises those drivers and their cars which record the greatest percentage improvement over the manufacturers’ published fuel consumption ratings. Andrew Duerden and Chris Mooney achieved the best percentage increase, achieving 32.14mpg in their VXR8 super-saloon, an 53 per cent improvement over the car’s combined cycle figure of 21.0mpg.
