Hyundai eco-run lowers economy figures

23 May 2007
Immediate release

Hyundai eco-run lowers economy figures

Sustainability expert Hans Tholstrup has made a blazing start to the Hyundai eco-run, completing the first of three days almost 25 percent ahead of his economy driving target.

The Australian environmental guru has achieved a figure of 10.65 l/100km (litres per one hundred kilometres) driving a Hyundai Santa Fe towing its maximum weight.

Replicating a typical family trip through the upper and central North Island, Tholstrup and a dozen driving experts are pacing themselves to better the stated economy figures of their Hyundai vehicles.

In Tholstrup’s case that’s 14 l/100km, twice the published figure of the Santa Fe to account for its load. Just as a family might tow a big boat, the Danish-born adventurer / ecologist is pulling another car, a Hyundai Accent, on a car trailer.

“I’m pretty happy with the 10.65 figure so far, but I know there are some tougher roads ahead,” commented Tholstrup in Taupo after the drive from Auckland with co-driver Olympic swimmer, Moss Burmester.

“Tomorrow we head down your Desert Road which I know has plenty of hilly and windy sections which just drink fuel.

“Whether I can maintain the figure in the 10 range, we’ll see. It’s tough with this load which is not only heavy but very non-aerodynamic as well.”

Day two takes the drivers through Bulls and Wanganui to New Plymouth, the final day returning them to Auckland.

“It’s an ambitious route which is challenging everybody, and so far every single Hyundai vehicle is below the stated economy figure,” said Hyundai Managing Director, Philip Eustace, himself a driver on the eco-run.

“As Hans says it’s early days yet, but it does show what can be achieved in today’s efficient and clean-burning diesel and petrol-engined vehicles with some careful driving.”

Trees are being planted to offset the emissions of all eco-run vehicles and support cars, as well as the electricity used by the competitors and the waste they produce, even the transport used to get them to the event.

Manukau Mayor Sir Barry Curtis set the drivers on their way by planting a tree with Tholstrup yesterday morning, and Taupo Councilor, Christine McElwee repeated the exercise at a function at Hyundai’s Taupo dealership, Wings and Wheels last night.

All of the vehicles are running on Shell bio-fuels above the minimum government guidelines for their forthcoming introduction into New Zealand; the petrol vehicles using a 10 percent blend of ethanol and the diesels a five percent blend of biodiesel.

ENDS

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