Honda Jazz Scoops Titles For 'Best Percentage Improvement' And Third Most Efficient Overall In 2017 MPG Marathon

October 12, 2017 by Honda

Team Honda has once again emerged triumphant from the annual MPG Marathon, with the Jazz taking home the prize for 'Best Percentage Improvement on MPG' and third place for overall MPG in this year's event.

A two-day eco-driving challenge which tests the real-world fuel economy of participating vehicles to the absolute maximum, the MPG Marathon was held on Tuesday 3rd and Wednesday 4th October. Drivers were charged with working out the most economical route between a number of waypoints across Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Shropshire, Northants and Warwickshire, starting and ending at the Marriott Forest of Arden Hotel near Coventry. Each team was on a strict time limit to complete each day, with stringent penalties incurred for every minute driven over the allotted driving time.

The road-trip covering 352 miles over the two days saw the fuel-sipping 1.3 i-VTEC supermini record a hugely-impressive overall MPG of 88.73, an uplift of 60.16% on its officially-quoted combined figure of 55.4mpg. In so doing the Jazz scooped the gold for 'Best Percentage Improvement' – a category usually dominated by larger-engine cars – and third place for overall MPG among the competing pack.

Taking shifts behind the wheel of the Jazz were the three-man team of Honda R&D engineer and MPG Marathon veteran, Fergal McGrath; former winner, Doug Clifton; and event-regular, Kevin Booker. Fergal McGrath comments: 'Overall we're really pleased with another successful showing at the MPG Marathon, with Honda's real-world fuel economy once again shining through to bring home a great result. The Jazz is incredibly capable, a small car but with tonnes of practicality. Its petrol engine is brilliantly economical, which it proved once again in June when Paul Clifton (Doug's dad) and I successfully drove a Jazz from Land's End to John O'Groats on just one tank of fuel – a world first for any petrol car.'

Alex Grant, editor of Fleet World, which organises the event comments: 'For the first time ever, every single vehicle in the MPG Marathon beat its official figure, which suggests that manufacturers have really got their house in order over fuel economy claims. That the winners achieved record-breaking figures, with even small, highly-efficient cars beating brochure figures by wide margins, shows engine technology is moving on rapidly in all its forms, which is great news for consumers.'

Now in its 17th year, the MPG Marathon aims to highlight the benefits of fuel efficient, economical driving, while providing a shop window for some of the most innovative, eco-friendly and diverse vehicles on sale, and some not yet on sale, in the UK.

Organised by Fleet World magazine, the 2017 MPG Marathon was sponsored by ALD Automotive, RAC Business and Crystal Ball. Each vehicle's progress was tracked live using telematics data supplied by Crystal Ball, which broadcast where each car or van was at any given time via the event website, while each vehicle's fuel use and adherence to the rules was monitored by the RAC.

For further information, please visit www.thempgmarathon.co.uk.