VW Jetta Hybrid driver hits 49.9 mpg in 400-mile California eco-driving rally

Somehow I suspect there might be other opinions about this.

As for the car, let's see how it shows up in Fuel Economy and later in the owner reported mileage.

Bob Wilson

 

I think if I really try hard, I can get the Prius mileage to drop to that.

 

I'm really curious about the conditions. I'm no world class hypermiler and I had no problem getting over 50mpg driving from Sacramento to Monterey at 70-75mph last spring/summer and that was before the Energy Saver A/S tires and summer blend fuel. .

 

This reminds me of the old Greenhuman stunt, "Portland-to-Portland" drive. Just another attempt to gather some eyes and maybe a buyer.

Bob Wilson

 

Which beats Ford Fusion hybrid and Camry hybrid.

 

I just want to go and drive one of these days....

I bet its nothing neer as good as the old prius was

-Tapatalk

 

So one of the best drivers in the world got 49.9 mpg, what is the car's EPA ratings?

 

When either of those cars weredriven by an expert?

 

How was the VW Jetta hybrid driven? Was the expert driver driving it "normally"? It's a PR piece but most here didn't seem to realize the market was the Fusion/Camry sedan market and kept comparing it to Prius vs. Camry.

If Fusion misses it's 47 mpg mark and current Camry is rated 40 mpg, the VW Jetta at 49 mpg real world driving is going to be leader in the hybrid sedan market.

 

The Jetta is still EPA listed as a 'compact' car and the Ford Fusion and Camry hybrids are listed as 'full size.'

Bob Wilson

 

94 cu ft vs. 101 cu ft.

The size class for cars is based on interior passenger and cargo volumes as described below.

 

Why would you hire a so-called expert to drive the car like a normal person? *confused*

 

Here is a little bit about it. VW Think Blue... World Championship | Responsejp
Maybe Ken has more info on this. Google trans late is not the best but you can figure it out.


It was expert drivers. Japan had trials to pick the best team.

(bad translate but you get the idea)
Mr. Hiroyasu Sawano was recorded 19.2km / l fuel consumption
of the best in the tournament wins, participate as a representative
of Japan to the World Championships held in California



It was 2 days and 600km. The top team Germany said they tried their best to keep a running rate of 60 mph.

 

Nevermind. It was a competition involving 18 of the "best international drivers". I thought they were hiring someone like Wayne or Bestmapman to drive for PR. Still disappointing.

 

One number out of context doesn't say anything. If it was an open competition I'd like to see the competitors' numbers.

The Jetta is a tough car to beat running biodiesel. Last year running two 75 mile courses through the mountains around State College I got 49mpg.

To all those who think they can do better then put your hybrid where your mouth is and enter the 21st Century Automotive Challenge next year.

 

Wouldn't it be more fair to have the same driver repeat the course in each car and try to factor in weather difference?

 

Because I'm running a marketing PR stunt and want headlines and confusion and people going to my car selling website to clear up their confusion and maybe buy my car.

 

It's too bad we don't know more about the course and driving conditions. If they did maintain an average speed close to 60 mph with a lot of driving on the California coast on Highway 1, then it was fast hard driving. OTOH, if that means they drove 60 mph where the could easily drive 60 mph, then it could have been a leisurely drive.

Yes indeed.

 

Driving a constant 60MPH on PCH will get you a speeding ticket with near 100% certainty. It is also nearly impossible to do unless it is about 3:00am.

I have to agree, they "tried to drive up to 60mph when it was possible. This means they did very little driving at 60.