Peugeot 208 achieves new fuel economy benchmark

A Peugeot 208 has travelled 2152km on just 43 litres of diesel fuel to set a new production car fuel economy record of 2.0L/100km.

Averaging 57km/h, the 208 was driven by multiple drivers in stints of three or four hours. Under the bonnet was a Euro 6-compliant low-consumption 1.6-litre diesel coupled to a five-speed manual transmission.

For the attempt, Peugeot ran the 208 around a test circuit at Belchamp, France, under the watchful scrutiny of UTAC (Union Technique de l’Automobile, du motocycle et du Cycle), which is the French equivalent of the Australian Motor Vehicle Certification Board.

The official combined-cycle consumption for the 208 is 3.0L/100km and CO2 emissions are rated at 79g/km. To achieve such a figure, undercutting petrol/electric hybrids but not plug-in hybrids, the Peugeot comes equipped with ultra-low rolling resistance Michelin Energy Saver+ tyres and the exhaust emissions are handled by SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) and an additive particle filter.

While using so little fuel for the record-breaking run is an impressive achievement in itself, the team involved had some factors working in their favour. On a track the car can be driven at a constant speed, and with only 43 litres used out of a 50-litre tank, the only time spent in the pits would have been to change drivers. The engine would have remained at or close to normal operating temperature for optimal efficiency as a consequence.

It's a different situation for the average driver, who commutes much shorter distances, and from a cold start. For commuters, the possibility of ever emulating the record-breaking figure in a standard production car is remote, at best. Peugeot has a video of the run on YouTube, but it helps if you speak French.

The local distributor plans to release the updated 208 range in October.