Peugeot Launches Eco Cup Challenge
23 January 2010
Peugeot is launching the first pan-European eco-driving challenge: the Peugeot Eco Cup. The Peugeot Eco Cup will follow a 1,000-kilometer (540-mile) course from Paris to Geneva, with the winners being those arriving at the finish within set time targets having used the least fuel.
Entry to the Peugeot Eco Cup is open to any qualified driver. Would-be competitors can sign up at the dedicated website http://ecocup.peugeot.com 15 February 2010.
The website features a range of eco-driving tips, an online eco-driving test and details of the four different Peugeot cars available for the event. Applicants select the car category they prefer to compete in, enter their details and submit a 140 word description of what makes a good eco driver.
Peugeot will select 72 competitors from the online entries and then randomly draw entrants to be invited to take the challenge, with four each representing the 18 European countries (and accompanied by a team-mate of their choice), to compete in four different Peugeot cars: 207 HDi 90, 308 HDi 110, 3008 HDi 110 and 5008 HDi 110. Each car is a diesel-powered practical family vehicle.
With strict equivalent weights for each model used, the 72 vehicles will all set off from Paris on Sunday, 28 February 2010 towards Geneva via a compulsory 1,000-kilometer route to be covered within the 30-36 hour permitted period.
For each model, the candidate having consumed the least fuel at the end of the course will win a new Peugeot car. Winners will be announced and the keys to the vehicles will be handed over on 2 March 2010 on the Peugeot stand at the Geneva Motor Show.
Fans will be able to follow the teams’ progress on a dedicated Facebook page (search for Peugeot Eco Cup), where they will also be able to contribute messages of encouragement, tips and suggestions.
It is a good idea, except that the time allowed is very long - 36 hours to do 1000KM - that would allow < 30kmph at a steady rate which is not realistic.
They should specify a time neater 12 - 15 hours to generate more realistic driving conditions.
They should also bring in cars from other counties - or at least Renault, Fiat and VW to inject more competition (and nationalism) into it.
The trick with these eco-drives is to get the rules right so they are somewhat entertaining and generate more than just a number at the end.
How to do that is currently beyond me - perhaps the GCC readers could suggest some rule sets.
Posted by: mahonj | 23 January 2010 at 02:24 PM
If they allowed non-Peugot cars, someone like Aptera would take whatever category it could get into.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 25 January 2010 at 01:44 PM