New Yaris Achieves Top Fuel Economy On MPG Marathon Debut

EPSOM, UNITED KINGDOM – Oct 11, 2011: The new Toyota Yaris set the fuel-saving pace on the ALD Automotive/Shell FuelSave MPG Marathon, 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 350-mile route. Its overall 72.29mpg 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 58.9mpg.

The car entered for the event was a TR model 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 70mpg.

The annual marathon is designed to demonstrate how smarter driving techniques can help motorists save money at the pumps. Held over two days (5 and 6 October), this year’s event saw 38 cars and vans competing in five classes over a mixture of A and B roads and motorways. The Toyota Yaris was driven by James Sutherland and Richard Hill from Peak Performance, and Steve Johnson and Steve Heyworth shared driving duties in the Prius.