Fuel use to new lows on Hyundai eco-run

24 May 2007
Immediate release

Fuel use to new lows on Hyundai eco-run

Entering the final day of the Hyundai eco-run, Australian adventurer Hans Tholstrup is blitzing New Zealand fuel economy figures.

Replicating a Kiwi three-day holiday, the sustainability expert is almost 25 percent below expected fuel use and ahead of target to complete the 1,111 km trip on two tanks of fuel.

In a diesel-powered Hyundai Santa Fe SUV towing its maximum weight (replicating a holiday boat), 61-year-old Tholstrup was anticipated to meet or beat the New Zealand guideline of 14 litres per 100 km.

Although he personally aimed for a figure of 12, he is using just 10.4 litres after two days of the North Island trip. His first-day figure was 10.65.

“It’s a pleasing figure so far,” commented Tholstrup in New Plymouth as he prepared for the third leg of the challenge.

“I’m getting better than the fuel consumption of a Ford Territory … the difference being that I’m towing a two-tonne load on top of this.

“But it’s not over yet, I’m aware that the road north of New Plymouth is winding and hilly, and that burns up a lot of fuel.

“My consumption figures could rise, however I’m happy that we are showing Kiwi drivers what they can reasonably expect if they drive sensibly even when they are taking a boat or whatever load on a trip,” he said.

A dozen Hyundai vehicles accompanying Tholstrup are also recording impressive fuel conservation figures, every one going below the New Zealand published expectation.

Experienced economy driver Donn Anderson of Auckland has nudged his diesel-powered Getz below the magical 4.0 l/100km mark, bettering that New Zealand folklore record with a two-day figure of 3.9. The vehicle’s published figure is 4.5.

A diesel Accent small car driven by Auckland’s Damien O’Carroll has lowered a published figure of 4.5 to 4.0, while David Kilburn of Auckland took a petrol version from 6.7 to 5.7.

Two Sonata diesel sedans driven by Stephen Hampston-Tindale (Hamilton) and Eoin Young (Christchurch) have lowered the expected 7.3 figure to 6.0, while a petrol version of the same model has gone from 8.8 to 6.9 in the hands of Bill Green (Blenheim).

At the top of the size scale, Aucklander Peter Gill has slashed an expected figure of 10.8 to 8.0 in the Hyundai Grandeur with a 3.8-litre V6 petrol engine.

In SUVs, Peter Louisson of Auckland has lowered the petrol Tucson figure of 10.9 to 8.8, while a petrol Santa Fe went from 10.6 to 8.8 for Richard Bosselman of Palmerston North.

Fuel use relativities are likely to come under threat as the final leg to Auckland tackles different roads but the eco-run challenge seems destined to alter established expectations of fuel economy.

Replicating a typical family trip through the upper and central North Island, the eco-runners have visited Rotorua, Taupo, Bulls and Wanganui.

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.

New Plymouth Mayor, Peter Tennent received a tree from Tholstrup at a function at local dealership Kevin Doody Hyundai last night.

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

Public and media are invited to meet Tholstrup and the eco-runners today, Thursday, 3pm, at an official function, reception and tree planting by Mr. Allan Peachey, MP for Tamaki, at Winger Hyundai, 279 Great South Road, Greenlane, Auckland.

Results after day two of the Hyundai eco-run:

Hans Tholstrup and co-driver Joel Grant / Hyundai Santa Fe diesel / Towing max weight: NZ published expectation 14 l/100km, actual two-day figure 10.4
Peter Gill and Philip Eustace / Hyundai Grandeur petrol / Day one: 10.8, Day two: 8.0
Eoin Young and Wal Willmott / Hyundai Sonata diesel / Day one: 7.3, Day two: 6.0
Stephen Hampston-Tindale and Murray Nicholson / Hyundai Sonata diesel / Day one: 7.3, Day two: 6.0
David Robinson and Brendon Redfern / Hyundai Sonata diesel / Day one: 7.3, Day two: 6.2
Bill Green and Greg Perkins / Hyundai Sonata petrol / Day one: 8.8, Day two: 6.6
Damien O’Carroll and Dave Sisley / Hyundai Accent diesel / Day one: 4.5, Day two: 4.0
David Kilburn and Trish Kilburn / Hyundai Accent petrol / Day one: 6.7, Day two: 5.7
Donn Anderson and Lynn Anderson / Hyundai Getz diesel / Day one: 4.5, Day two: 3.9
Richard Bosselman and Scott Billman / Hyundai Santa Fe petrol / Day one: 10.6, Day two: 8.8
Peter Louisson and Maurice Rotherham / Hyundai Tucson petrol / Day one: 10.9, Day two: 8.8

ENDS

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