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09 10 2008Coast to Coast for less than R680
A Peugeot 308 HDi has driven more than 1,760kms across SouthAfrica for less than R680, meaning the 1.6 litre car achieved a fuel efficiency ratio better than 3.9l/100kms.
The unmodified car, which was exactly the same as a showroom model except for nitrogen filled, energy saving tyres, completed its Coast2Coast challenge by arriving at the Northbound TOTAL Petroport N2 Riverhorse Valley in Umhlanga, on Wednesday, October 15th after its epic journey started in the small diamond town of Port Nolloth on the Northern Cape coast, on Monday,October 13th.
Peugeot devised the Coast2Coast Challenge to showcase the ultra-efficiency of the medium sized family 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.
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.
“It was touch and go whether we would 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 1,800kms and visits substantial cities like Bloemfontein where there is traffic tocontend with. We
literally didn’t know we would come in under the R680 mark until we arrived at the finishing line,” he added. Despite recent reductions in the South African fuel price, economic predictions suggest that the international oil price is on an upwards trend, which will keep the fuel price rising too.
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 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 very happy when the car pulled up near Durban under the R680 limit we had set – that equates to just over 65 litres of fuel.
“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 motorsport observer who instigated South Africa’s premier fuel efficient driving competition, the Total Economy Run.
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.
