16 10 2008Coast 2 Coast on one tank
A Peugeot 308 HDi has driven more than 1 689 km across South Africa on a single tank of diesel, meaning the 3.4 litres/100 km.
The car completed its Coast2Coast challenge by arriving at the Northbound TOTAL Petroport N2 Riverhorse Valley in Umhlanga, on Wednesday, October 15th after its epic journey from the small diamond town of Port Nolloth on the Northern Cape coast, which it began on Monday, October 13th.
Peugeot devised the Coast2Coast Challenge to showcase the ultra-efficiency of the medium size hatchback, and highlight the need for motorists to drive fuel efficiently in order to reduce their impact on the environment. Scientists believe the greenhouse gases in car exhaust fumes are one of the major contributors to global warming and climate change.
Peugeot were supported in the challenge by Total South Africa who filled the tank with their flagship fuel, Ecodiesel Premium Plus , one of the cleanest burning, most efficient diesels available in South Africa.
CAPTION:The 308 HDi was refuelled upon arriving at it's destination. A total of 57.83 litres was needed to fill the tank, demonstrating that 2.17litres still remained in the tank after it's long journey
(from left to right) - Andrew Carter - Driver, Faye-Marie Cloete - Total SA, Jaco da Silva - Peugeot Fouways, Barry Bredenkamp - NEEA, Jeunesse Park- Food and Trees for Africa, Jan Hettima - Independent Arbitrator, Spotti Woodhead - Driver, Toni Herbst - Peugeot Motors South Africa
Food and Trees for Africa and the National Energy Efficiency Agency also lent their support to the event because it highlighted key issues like environmental sustainability and fuel economy – issues they are working hard to keep high on the public agenda.
On day two, I had a very good feeling that we were going to make it,” said Andrew Carter, an ex rally driver and one of the two Coast2Coast drivers.
“The route is incredibly challenging because it climbs more than 1 800 m and visits substantial cities like Bloemfontein where there is traffic to contend with. We literally didn’t know we would make it until we arrived at the finishing line,” he added.
Peugeot will make the Coast2Coast Challenge Carbon Neutral . Global Carbon Exchange have audited the event, and once they have arrived at a Carbon Dioxide emissions figure, Peugeot will plant the required number of trees at one of Peugeot’s corporate social investment projects in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg in early November. To symbolise the Carbon Neutral status, the drivers planted a tree at the finishing line.
Mike Wilson, Marketing Manager for Peugeot Motors South Africa said: “We knew the 308 HDi was incredibly light on fuel, but we were pleasantly surprised when pulled up near Durban on the same tank of fuel it had set off with on the other side of South Africa.
“The success demonstrates that when technology designed with the environment in mind is allied to a fuel efficient driving style, the increased distance between refuelling stops can be startling.”
The second driver in the team was Spotti Woodhead , also an ex rally driver.
The Coast2Coast Challenge was audited by Jan Hettema , a well-known and independent motor-sport observer who instigated South Africa’s premier fuel efficient driving competition, the Total Economy Run.
Driver: Andrew Carter, Technical back-up: Jaco da Silva, Independent Arbitrator: Jan Hettima, Driver: Spotti Woodhead
The Coast2Coast 308 – which is 95 per cent recyclable – will now be displayed at the Peugeot stand at the Johannesburg International Motor Show between 30 October and 9 November 2008.
