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BANGALORE:
Autocar India and Ford Fiesta's Duratorq TDCi have done it again!
The two have partnered to establish yet another record-breaking
feat, Bangalore-Mumbai Mileage Marathon on a single tank of fuel.
In doing so, they have set a new mileage record of 33.4 km/ litre
under real road conditions.
Autocar
India's team of three drivers drove the Ford Fiesta 1.4-litre Duratorq
TDCI diesel for a distance of 996.7kms between Bangalore and Mumbai
using only 29.8-litres of diesel. The Ford Fiesta used for this
Mileage Marathon did not undergo any modifications or changes.
The
drive was flagged-off from Ford's dealership Metro Ford in Bangalore
on 16th of February 2008. The car's fuel tank was topped up and
sealed at the start. A team of experts from Ernst & Young and
Motor Sports Association of India supervised and audited the challenge.
Recording
an average speed of 46.5kph, the Fiesta took 24 hours & 20 minutes
to cover the distance. The Fiesta encountered different terrain
- from the great Golden Quadrilateral, to patches of bad roads,
traffic jams and the occasional stray cow! This ensured that the
car was driven in real-world traffic conditions.
Scott
McCormack, vice president, Marketing, Sales & Service, Ford
India, flagged-in the cars on 17th February, at SC Ford in Mumbai.
''I
am extremely excited that Ford Fiesta is part of this record breaking
initiative, more so because this Marathon has been on real Indian
road conditions. This is further endorsement of the quality and
efficiency of Fiesta's modern and superior Duratorq TDCi Diesel
engine and Ford's world-class automotive technology. Always known
for great performance and handling, Fiesta Diet Diesel boasts of
unmatched mileage that can exceed customers' expectation and benefit
them hugely.''
A team
of three drivers from Autocar India - Manish Sarser, Ouseph Chacko
and Vivek Bhat - took turns driving the car. Sagar Sethi of Ernst
& Young was present in the car throughout the journey to certify
the run. Priyank Mazmudar of MAI was present to monitor the event.
Hormazd
Sorabjee, Editor of Autocar India said ''The purpose of this exercise
was not just to create a record. It was to demonstrate that using
the correct driving techniques, and a highly fuel efficient car
like the Fiesta, everyone can stretch that litre of precious fuel.
We had already set a record with Ford Fiesta Duratorq at the Max
Mileage Marathon in 2006. Hence, it was the natural choice for us
when we attempted to undertake the Bangalore-Mumbai Mileage Marathon.''
In
July 2006, Autocar India and Ford Fiesta had entered the Limca Book
of Records in a first-of-its-kind Max Mileage Marathon, recording
the longest distance ever traveled on a single tank of diesel and
petrol.
The
mileage recorded at that event was 31.48kpl, at the Vehicle Research
& Development Establishment in Ahmednagar. As this was done
in test conditions, both Ford and Autocar were really motivated
with the challenge of trying such a run in real world driving conditions.
And thus, the Bangalore-Mumbai drive was conceptualized.
The
results have been really successful and prove that the TDCi Duratorq
Diesel engines used in the Fiesta is designed to deliver superior
and class leading mileage and a healthy torque curve, ensuring an
outstanding driving experience.
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