DriveTech plus Vauxhall technology makes for a powerful combo

81 miles per gallon out of a half laden Vauxhall Combo van? Yes, it IS possible, as Steve Johnson, Director of Communications for driver education specialist DriveTech, proved last week on the UK’s largest fuel economy event, the MPG Marathon.

Ably assisted by fastidious navigator Paul Marshall, the pair didn’t put a foot wrong on the challenging 400 mile route through the English/Welsh borders and coaxed the frugal Vauxhall to a wallet stretching ‘cost per mile’ figure of just 5.51p.

“The Combo has a delightful engine”, admitted Johnson. “It’s extremely flexible and pulls well from amazingly low revs. These characteristics allowed me to take full advantage of the sort of driving techniques that we advocate in our highly popular ‘Eco Real World’ driving courses for business drivers.

“It’s all about maintaining 100% concentration, planning well ahead and maintaining steady, smooth progress, with as few gear changes and as little braking as possible. Anybody can do it with a bit of training and some practice…….and it really pays dividends.”

The MPG Marathon took place on Wednesday October 8 and Thursday October 9, starting and finishing in Bristol with an overnight halt near Macclesfield. There were 40 competitors, nine of which were in commercial vehicles.

For further information about DriveTech fuel economy courses please refer to drivetech.co.uk