Peugeot 308 HDi Drives Coast 2 Coast on one tank of fuel
A Peugeot 308 HDi has driven exactly 1689.7km across South Africa on a single tank of diesel, meaning the 1.6 litres car achieved a fuel efficiency of 3.4 litres / 100km. 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 town of Kleinzee 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-efficiency 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. "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 800kms and visits substantial cities Bloemfontein where there is traffic to contend with" 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 during 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 mid 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 Coast2Caost 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. The Coast2Coast 308 will now be displayed at the Peugeot stand at the Johannesburg International Motor Show between 30 October and 9 November 2008. October 2008
Issued by: Thandukwazi Gcabashe
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