Fiorino wins the LCV economy title

Top for economy improvement

Fiat Professional Fiorino wins van category in MPG Marathon
1.3 MultiJet diesel achieves 72.08mpg, an improvement of 12.28%
Runner-up is 6.2-litre Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo pick-up, followed by Citroen Dispatch

IT’S a boost for Fiat Professional as Fiorino wins the LCV economy title in the 2016 MPG Marathon, where results are decided by improvements over official economy figures.

The Fiorino 1.3 MultiJet, driven by retired fleet manager Doug Powell and co-driver Tony Waddington, achieved 72.08mpg over a road distance of 388 miles, a 12.28% improvement over the model’s quoted MPG figure of 64.2mpg.

The runner up in the LCV category was a 6.2-litre V8-engined Vauxhall VXR8 Maloo pick-up driven by journalist Lawrence Allan, which returned 27.47mpg, a 10.67% improvement, while third-placed went to van journalists Dan Gilkes and John Challen in a Citroen Dispatch, with a 6.54% improvement.

“We are absolutely delighted to see the new Fiat Professional Fiorino perform so well in the MPG Marathon and especially to see it lead the pack so convincingly in terms of fuel economy,” said Fiat Professional country manager Alejandro Noriega.

“Running costs and total cost of ownership have never been more important and so this success will strengthen the Fiorino’s appeal.”

Event organiser Jerry Ramsdale added: “Improvements in fuel economy, not to mention carbon footprint, are very important for fleet managers who run vans, as they tend to operate large fleets where even the smallest of savings can have quite a significant impact on a company’s bottom line.

“The MPG Marathon proves how even small improvements can make a big difference, and how important it is for fleet managers to educate their drivers in the art of driving economically.”

In an event described by a number of competitors as ‘the toughest MPG Marathon yet’ and sponsored by RAC Business, ALD Automotive and Crystal Ball, drivers were charged with working out the most economical route between a number of waypoints in Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Shropshire, Northants and Gloucestershire in a two-day event starting and ending at the prestigious Heythrop Park near Chipping Norton.