VW diesel engines prove efficiency in Eco Run

Volkswagen has been known globally as one of the leading diesel engine manufacturers who have partnered with Mercedes-Benz and other companies to market the BlueTec clean-diesel technology in cars and trucks. In fact, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, four of the 10 most fuel-efficient vehicles available for sale in the US are powered by Volkswagen diesel engines. Today, Volkswagen is a leader when it comes to fuel economy, and with their Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) engine, their vehicles are indeed top notch. With this in mind, Volkswagen wants to enlighten motorists in this part of the world about how superior their engine technology really is.

Friendly Eco Run

During the first leg of the Eco Run last year, Team BusinessMirror and Carmudi composed of Ronald de los Reyes and this writer, bested other drivers with a total of 29.47 kilometers on 1 liter of fuel on board the 2.0-liter Volkswagen Jetta.

Recently Volkswagen’s local distributor, Automobile Central Enterprise Inc. (ACEI), decided to hold the finale dubbed the “Battle of the Champions” in partnership with Pilipinas Shell. This served as the championship round of the fuel-economy challenge, which pitted all the winners from the past three legs against each other in three vehicle categories—the Polo hatchback, the Polo sedan and Tiguan sports utility vehicle.

De los Reyes and I were assigned to the 2.0-liter Tiguan. We checked in at the Shell station on South Luzon Expressway, where all nine cars in their respective categories were flagged off. This time, the challenge required participants to drive under normal conditions until we reached the Shell station in Nuvali, Santa Rosa City, for a top up.

We drove a total average of 140.4 km, where the route included the entire stretch of STAR tollway, made a u-turn in Batangas City, then proceeded to Eton Exit unto Nuvali. The Tiguan’s feel was far more different compared to the Jetta we used last year owing to its four-wheel drivetrain. This made rolling so difficult. Last-minute adjustments were also pointless. Nonetheless, we remained steadfast, consistent with our speed and kept a positive outlook.

Eco Run results and winners

In the end, with Lady Luck on our side, we topped our category with a fuel mileage of 21.04 km per liter—a hairline victory over our friend and colleague Wee Gamboa, who delivered a superb 20.68-km-per-liter effort. In the other categories, Ruel Asuncion and Paulo Subido in the Polo sedan achieved 28.17 km per liter.

While Tessa Salazar and Love Love Tioseco dominated the Polo hatchback category with 20.12 km per liter, Volkswagen once again proved that its vehicles are more than just eye-candy, and ACEI President JP Orbeta was pleased with the results.

“We’re glad that we were able to show the world the amazing fuel-efficienct technology of our vehicles. Again, congratulations to the winners,” he said. After four fuel-economy fun runs, Volkswagen is, without a doubt, one of the brands to beat in terms of fuel efficiency.