The TOTAL Economy Run was again this year, the only legitimate and unbiased barometer of fuel efficiency in passenger vehicles since the seventies.  Every year, TOTAL South Africa manages the TOTAL Economy Run, where car manufacturers and dealers are invited to enter their petrol and diesel passenger vehicles in various classes from 1100cc to 3001cc and over.  This year the event took place in and around Thaba Nchu from the 9th to the 12th of September.

It is a true Motorsport event that is supported by Motorsport South Africa (MSA) and it’s specifically designed and laid out to show the fuel economy capabilities of well maintained and well driven passenger vehicles in varying conditions over a representative selection of South African tarred roads.

Each vehicle had a driver and navigator with an appointed observer in the back of the vehicle at all times.  Drivers had to keep to specific speeds and arrive at check points at specific times in order to prohibit drivers traveling at an unsafe or unrealistic speed.  No modifications were allowed to the vehicles except a quick service and special settings before the race started.  

This year TATA South Africa decided to enter the TATA Xenon diesel 4x4 double cabin in the P Class of the Economy Run for 2010.  The driver of the Xenon was Dan Esterhuyse, Regional Sales Manager at TATA and his navigator Pierre Jordaan.  The first leg on Friday comprised a distance of 670 kilometers and the second leg on Saturday comprised a distance of 450kilometers.

On Saturday the event finished after 1100kilometers and after clocking in at the final control point, re-fuelling and the final weight calculations, the total fuel consumption on the Xenon was recorded at 8,111 liters per 100 kilometers. This equated to 12,4 kilometers to a liter and was enough to give the team in the Xenon the win of their class. The Xenon diesel 4x4 double cab is officially according to MSA’s Total Economy Run, the most economical and fuel efficient LDV in its class in South Africa.

Class Results

CLASS A
Daihatsu Charade 1

CLASS B
Fiat Uno Mia

CLASS C
Daihatsu Sirion 1.5

CLASS D
Ford Fiesta 1.6

CLASS E
Toyota Prius

CLASS F
Mazda 6 2L

CLASS I
Lexus GS450H

CLASS J
Volkswagen Polo 1.6 Tdi

CLASS K
Audi 2 TDle

CLASS L
Mercedes Benz C220 CDI

CLASS M
Jaguar XFS

CLASS O
Daihatsu Terios 4x4

CLASS P
Tata Xenon 4x4