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New Yaris a class winner on debut in the 2011 ALD Automotive/Shell FuelSave MPG marathon in the United Kingdom
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Best-in-class economy of 72.29mpg (3.91 litre/100km) – almost 23 per cent better than official combined consumption figures
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Prius records highest economy of any hybrid model
The new Toyota Yaris, which will be released in South Africa next month, set the fuel-saving pace on the annual ALD Automotive/Shell FuelSave MPG Marathon recently held in Britain, eking out the juice to finish a first-time winner.
At the end of its debut test, the Yaris had used just 23.2 litres – a shade more than five gallons and less than half a tank – to complete the 560 km route. Its overall consumption figure of 3.91 litres/100km earned it top spot in its class for petrol cars emitting less than 120g/km of CO2 – an average consumption that is almost 23 per cent better than the model’s official combined figure of 4.8 litres/100km.
The car entered for the event was powered by Toyota’s 1.0-litre VVT-i engine, a three-cylinder unit that is renowned for its efficiency and a multiple winner in the International Engine of the Year awards. With the benefit of Toyota Optimal Drive technology and the overall light weight of new Yaris, it returned the kind of economy typically associated with smaller more expensive, diesel-powered cars.
Toyota made it a double success in the marathon with Prius emerging a clear winner in the class for hybrids and electric vehicles. In spite of the marathon route including few miles in urban traffic, the world’s best-selling hybrid also topped 4 litres/100 km.
The annual marathon is designed to demonstrate how smarter driving techniques can help motorists save money at the pumps. This year’s event saw 38 cars and vans competing in five classes over a mixture of A and B roads and motorways in the UK.
