Reviews The Fuel Consumption Thread

[Betty Swollocks]

I've created this thread to document my experience with regards to fuel economy with the variety of cars that I have driven over the years. I realise this is on the dull side when it comes to motoring, but it is nevertheless something which affects us all. I also get to express my inner "nerd" in the collection and collation of numerical data.

I intend to format and present the data in an easy to understand and easily comparable way.

Stand by for future posts......

 

[martinbo]

Like I said elsewhere, I'm looking forward to this discussion. It's a topic I'm very interested in.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Just deciding how I'm going to present the data. Hopefully I'll make the first post tonight. It will be for an Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro.

 

[DblPen]

will be a good read

 

[Betty Swollocks]

In order to ensure the data is as accurate as possible, and in order to be able to compare the data, I always check the tyre pressures to ensure they're at their optimum (always using a digital tyre pressure gauge), I don't drive with the windows down (improves fuel economy), I drive in the same manner with all the cars (cruising at 120km/h). If any of the vehicles have a more efficient programme available such as "ECO PRO" on BMW's, then I will use it. When brimming the tanks I always make sure they're just that. Sometimes certain cars have their own little quirks and the tank appears full when in fact it isn't. I've learnt these quirks over the years. Any changes in the above means I will either not use the data or I will mention it when I post the results. This could be periods driving more aggressively than normal or unusual things such as strong headwinds. I always use standard fuel. Either standard diesel, 95 unleaded or 98 unleaded in high performance vehicles.

In a nutshell, the results which I post will be, in my opinion, very accurate and completely typical of the fuel economy anybody could expect when driving these cars.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Audi A6 3.0 TDI quattro (C7)

Notes: 95% of the driving on the motorway at a constant 120km/h.

OFFICIAL FIGURES:

Urban: 39.2 mpg (UK), (7.21 l/100km)
Extra-urban: 54.3 mpg (UK), (5.20 l/100km)
EU Combined cycle: 47.9 mpg (UK), (5.90 l/100km)

 

[Zonda]

Not as specific as yours, but here's what my Bimmer delivers. Average for the last 1000-1500km on V-Power, mostly motorway doing 120km/h. Average speed atm is 73.2km/h.

2002 BMW 318i 2.0
7.2l/100km

With strictly legal driving and a different route to work I could probably get it down to 6.9.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

BMW 640d M Sport (F13)

Notes:
Leg 1 was varied between 120km/h and 160km/h.
Leg 2 was 60% motorway driving at 120-140km/h, and 40% fast A roads at around 100-120km/h.
Leg 3 was at a constant 200km/h for 90% of the journey, and very aggressively for the other 10% with hard acceleration.
Leg 4 was at a constant 120km/h for 95% of the journey.

OFFICIAL FIGURES:

Urban: 42.2 mpg (UK), (6.69 l/100km)
Extra-urban: 58.9 mpg (UK), (4.80 l/100km)
EU Combined cycle: 51.4 mpg (UK), (5.50 l/100km)

 

[Zonda]

God bless Germany^^

 

[Betty Swollocks]

God bless Germany^^

Are you referring to the 200km/h run?

That wasn't in Germany....

 

[DeDe]

My brother's 2005 Suzuki Swift 1.3 (92 hp, 1050 kgs):

• Public roads (max. 100 kph) with one person: 5,0 l/100 km
• City driving: 5,5-6,0 l/100 km
• Average: 5,5 l/100 km (claimed: 5,3 l/100 km)
• Highest average: 6,2 l/100 km (high temperatures, 5 people onboard).

My best ever with the car is 4,7 l/100 km (cold weather, winter tyres, no overtaking, max. 90 kph, one person onboard).

 

[martinbo]

Betty, unless I've missed it somewhere it would be tremendous if you could include manufacturer's claimed consumption figures in each post. I'm too lazy to do it for you.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Betty, unless I've missed it somewhere it would be tremendous if you could include manufacturer's claimed consumption figures in each post. I'm too lazy to do it for you.

Yeah, good idea. I will update the posts with these and also include them in all my future posts.

EDITED: The two posts now include official mpg data, and I will include them in my future posts. I have about another 10 to post over the next week or so.

 

[martinbo]

Sublime contribution Betty... sublime.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Mercedes-Benz C 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (W204)

Notes:
1) 95% of the legs were at a constant 120km\h.
2) The on-board computer was quite inaccurate as the indicated mpg shows in the table.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI (140 PS) (8PA)

Notes:
1) Leg 1 was 95% at a constant 140km/h.
2) Legs 2 and 3 were 95% at a constant 120km/h.
3) The on-board computer was very inaccurate.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

BMW 118d (F20)

57.5 mpg

4.91 l/100km

Notes: This is just one tank, driven 850km on motorways at 120km/h and the rest within inner city London in stop start traffic.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Audi A3 2.0 TDI (8V)

53.6 mpg

5.27 l/100km

Notes:

1) Direct competitor to the BMW 118d above, the A3 2.0 TDI had significantly worse fuel economy despite the test not including any central London driving. Also, the on-board computer was much less accurate.
2) 95% of the distance travelled was at a 120km/h cruise on the motorway.
3) Compared to the previous generation, this model had a slightly better fuel economy (53.6mpg) compared with 50.1mpg, yet has 10hp more.

 

[Zonda]

I will definitely check this thread before I decide on my next car! Great work Betty!

 

[Betty Swollocks]

I have a two month old BMW 525d xDrive Touring (F11) for the weekend, so will update the thread with those results next week.