With the backing of Continental Tyre, Porsche SA, Volkswagen SA, Total and Car Magazine, the objective of the experienced team of economy aces was to beat their own existing South African one-tank record of 1,941 km, set in 2011 with two VW Golf Bluemotion 1.6 TDI models. The team comprised Malcolm Kinsey, Con Engelbrecht, Schalk van Heerden, Huibert Phielix, Ken Sink and Rod Kinsey.
Under the close scrutiny of Total Economy Run veteran and motorsport Clerk of the Course, Cobus Grobelaar, the crews began at the South African border with Zimbabwe at Beit Bridge on Friday 22 July, driving a Porsche Panamera 3.0 V6 Diesel and a VW Passat 1.4 TSI. With the fuel tanks brimmed to the very top, the two cars set off along the N1, travelling via Pretoria and Bloemfontein all the way to Cape Town, before heading north up the West Coast.
In order to ensure the validity of the record attempt, the drivers were required to stick to all the normal rules of the road - albeit travelling at a fuel-saving average speed of approximately 69 km/h in the VW Passat, and around 80 km/h in the longer-geared Porsche Panamera. Other than pumping the ContiSportContact 5 tyres to the maximum recommended pressures in order to reduce rolling resistance, no other changes or modifications were allowed.
After two-and-a-half days of driving, excluding the obligatory overnight stops, the Passat eventually ran out of fuel at around 6 pm on Sunday evening on the N7 approaching Morreesburg. In the process it notched up a new one-tank record for petrol-engined cars of 2,029km, translating into an average fuel consumption of 4,1 l/100 km.
The Panamera soldiered on for another four hours, eventually coming to a halt at almost 10 pm after clocking a remarkable 2,201 km, for an average of 4,9 l/100 km.
"This record-breaking fuel economy and distance challenge shows just how effective fuel-efficient driving can be, delivering longer distances per tank, while also saving money and reducing the impact on the environment," says Niel Langner, marketing manager for Continental Tyre SA. "What is even more remarkable is that both cars were fitted with the Continental ContiSportContact 5, one of our sportiest high-performance tyres that delivers excellent grip, handling and braking.
"This proves that with the right tyre, motorists can enjoy exceptional performance and safety, while also benefitting from low fuel consumption and high mileage," Langner concluded.
