Meeting the Green Challenge in Australia

SYDNEY – October 27, 2009: Ford's Fiesta ECOnetic and Falcon XR6 Turbo teams taking part in the Global Green Challenge continue to defy expectations – and the heat – to achieve very strong early fuel economy numbers.

A change in regulations at the end of Day Three (Alice Springs) has seen results recalculated across the board and a hold on official Day Three fuel economy numbers until early/mid-way through Day Four.

However, at the end of Day Two, the Fiesta ECOnetic was continuing to earn its crown as the most fuel-efficient vehicle in Australia, achieving overall fuel economy figures of 3.19L/100km on Day One and 3.13 on Day Two – a significant improvement over its industry-leading official ADR fuel economy number of 3.7L/100km.

The Falcon XR6T meanwhile achieved only 7.09L/100km on its second day – a huge improvement of almost 40 per cent over its official ADR fuel economy figure of 11.7L/100km.

Both teams have combated extreme heat (40C+), dust storms, 42km stretches of road without a single bend, and even an overnight earthquake in their quest to deliver outstanding fuel economy and claim the Global Green Challenge title in their class.

Day Four sees the teams jump back in the cars to face their longest stretch of the entire Challenge. Their drive from Alice Springs to Cooper Pedy will take more than nine (9) hours and cover approximately 685kms.

Follow the progress of the Ford teams on http://twitter.com/FordAPA and http://facebook.com/FordFiesta. Photographs will also be available via www.autonews.net.au.