Distance run south of France, 1.2 5MT: 5.3 LKH (44.6 mpg US) up to 130 kph (81 mph)

[talldino]

Frechman Christian Dewaet and his team drove 399,8 kilometers in a 1.2 manual Space Star to test the car's fuel economy during 48 hours. Watch the video for the result!

The journey took place in the Var (in the south of France) between Cassis and Cagnes sur Mer. The maximum speed was 130 km/h.

- 45 % motorway
- 10 % city
- 45 % countryside

"The result is surprising for this new model, which is not at all short of breath" (5,28 l/100 km / 44.5 mpg US).

If you want to watch the video, here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5e_tDHZbLk



(EDIT by MetroMPG: translated French text from the video in the next post...)

[MetroMPG]

I had bookmarked this to post today! Your "today" came earlier than mine.

I'm going to post a translation of the French info from the video shortly...

Here it is:

Video description: (from YouTube page)

We took advantage of Mitsubishi press/media testing in the Var region to test for ourselves the fuel consumption of the 1.2L car over 400 km (249 miles) driven "normally" at 130 km/h (81 mph) on the Var motorways, and at posted speed limits elsewhere. The overall result is surprising for this new model, which did not feel "winded" ... Hint: this model consumes about 22% less than a VW Polo with the same power, from 20 years ago.

Selected subtitles from the video (related to the test):

Vehicle overview...

- 1.2L engine, 5-speed manual
- aerodynamic foundation
- 0.27 drag coefficient

Test details...

- test of actual fuel consumption
- tank filled to the brim (E10 fuel shown)
- mixed driving
- rural/secondary roads: approx. 45%
- urban driving: approx 10%
- freeway portion: 45% (NOTE: where the speed limit is 130 km/h or 81 mph)
- following official posted speed limits
- vehicle loaned for 48 hours
- returned to the same gas station
- ... same pump, fuel and re-filling method
- observed average fuel consumption: 5.28 L/100 km / 44.6 mpg (US) / 18.9 km/L / 53.5 mpg (Imp)
- in these conditions, what's the advantage of a hybrid of the same class?

[MetroMPG]

The fuel consumption numbers may not seem very impressive until you note that 45% of the round trip was on the freeway where they followed the 130 km/h speed limit (81 mph).

[Daox]

Yeah, that surely is impressive mileage for that high of a speed.

[talldino]

Did you notice the red sign at the petrol pump? "Pré-paiement en boutique". The French and their English translations.... I couldn't believe my eyes, but there is was: "Pay before into the shop"

[MetroMPG]

Yes! I did notice that and had a laugh.

[jamiec]

That is good economy wonder how many klm were on the engine. There is some great shots on that vid.