In the ALD Automotive TOTAL Excellium MPG Marathon 2008 Peugeot cars challenged the establishment with their medium-sized 308s running against smaller-car entries close at the finish, with one achieving 83.04mpg – the smaller-engined, small car winner managed 84.66mpg. 

Driven in real-world conditions from Bristol to Macclesfield and back, via the Peak District and Wales, up and down hills of over 1,650 feet at times, the 39 competitors each drove with economy in mind.  In the Class 1 category for passenger cars emitting less than 120g/km of CO2, Peugeot cars entered included the economical 107 Sport and 308 S HDi 90.  Another 308, with the more-powerful HDi 110 in SE specification, entered Class 2 driven by motoring journalist Chris Russon.  All four Peugeot cars improved their fuel economy considerably, two of them by an impressive 32%.

This follows the achievement earlier in the year when John and Helen Taylor drove a Peugeot 308 HDi 110 around the coast of Australia establishing a Guinness world record by recording an impressive 1,192 Miles on just 60 litres of diesel fuel, with an average fuel consumption of 90.75 mpg over 9,062 miles.

The two 308 S HDi 90s were driven by employee winners of a competition conducted by event sponsor Michelin UK, who entered the two vehicles.  For the employees this was their first attempt at an economy run and this represented a real-world experience.  By driving with consideration and anticipation, a huge reduction in the official Combined mpg is possible, as shown by the results in this event.

Over a total distance of 411.57 miles
Model    CO2  Combined mpg   mpg Achieved   Improvement
Peugeot 107 (1*)    109  61.4   77.47  26.18%
Peugeot 308 S HDi 90 (2*)  120   62.7     80.58   28.51%
Peugeot 308 S HDi 90 (3*)  120   62.7     83.04    32.45%
Peugeot 308 SE HDi 110 (4*)  134    55.3   73.00   32.01%

1* Driver; John Dalton & co-driver John Lovell
2* Driver; Mike Lawton & co-driver Christina Black
3* Driver; John Stack & co-driver Nicola Sergeant – finished 5th car overall
4* Driver; Chris Russon & co-driver Kevin Jones – finished 2nd in Class 2

The Peugeot 308 S HDi 90 driven economically by Michelin employee John Stack was the fourth ‘most-economical’ car on the day, larger in size and specified with a bigger (1.6-litre) engine than the three smaller (1.4-litre) cars ahead of it. And after 411 miles, John’s 308 S HDi 90 had used just 4.96 gallons of diesel.

Full results and information are available at www.mpgmarathon.com, where eight vehicles achieved over 80mpg and another seven managed over 70mpg.  Even with the great achievements by all the MPG Marathon competitors, all experienced ‘more than their fair share’ of slow-moving tractors, traffic lights on red and slow, often queuing traffic – the bane of everyday motoring life and specifically that of economical driving.  A recommendation for anyone wishing to obtain good economy from their vehicles is to select a model with low-emissions, high-economy and ideally with the high-torque of a diesel engine.  The driving style should include looking well ahead to anticipate road conditions, keep up momentum to save energy and if possible minimise having to come to a stop, using higher gears soonest and a light throttle action wherever possible – all this combines to save fuel and money, too.

Peugeot currently offers at least 33 models of car (from the 107, 206, 207 and 308 ranges) with CO2 emissions of less than 120g/km and its ‘Blue Lion’ identity highlights for customers all those and more, that emit less than 130g/km.