Ford Takes On a Fuel Challenge

[RPO83]

How much would it cost to drive a family sedan around mainland Australia? Ford Australia believes it can be done for approximately $1000 in fuel costs.

To test the theory, Ford Australia is teaming up with its stable of racing car drivers to test the fuel advantages of its LPG Falcon.

Ford Australia President Tom Gorman will wave off the 'Ford LPG Challenge' from Ford's head office in Campbellfield on Thursday, August 3.

The 23-day trial to travel around Australia for around $1000 will take in all mainland states, covering more than 13,000 kilometres in a single fuel LPG Falcon.

A dedicated website –www.ford.com.au/landing/lpgchallenge – will follow the Ford LPG Challenge, with regular updates from around the country.

"With rising fuel prices, good fuel economy is a critical element for new car buyers and the Falcon range of vehicles represents outstanding value for money," said Mr Gorman.

"Our dedicated LPG – or E-Gas Falcon – offers all the power and comfort of a large family sedan with the fuel costs of a small car.

"To showcase the advantages of dedicated LPG, we have set ourselves a unique challenge of travelling around the country for around $1000 in the E-Gas Falcon to demonstrate the outstanding work our designers and engineers have undertaken to provide Australian car buyers with a fantastic package.

"The E-Gas range of Falcons – which includes sedans, wagons and utes – showcases the latest in vehicle technology with superb handling, numerous creature comforts, legendary reliability and fantastic value for money," Mr Gorman said.

The Ford LPG Challenge has been backed by LPG Australia.

LPGA Industry Development Manager Phil Westlake praised Ford for setting out to demonstrate the efficiency and availability of LPG Autogas.

"Many people are debating about the need to encourage the development of alternative fuels, but the best and most viable alternative fuel is already easily available.

"There are now more than 3200 Autogas outlets across Australia, with half of the filling stations located in regional areas.

"The expanding number of Autogas outlets means motorists can travel throughout Australia in an LPG-powered car with great confidence," Mr Westlake said.

Mr Gorman said the E-Gas range supplied the power customers expect from a big Aussie six, while delivering the fuel costs of a small car.

"Ford’s dedicated LPG engine, introduced in 1999, has been extremely successful, helping to win major fleet orders from operators looking to save costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions."

The E-Gas engine boasts all the technological benefits of the Falcon petrol engine, with double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, dual variable camshaft timing and coil-on-plug ignition.

The VCT system in particular has allowed engineers to take advantage of the higher octane rating of LPG and increase the E-Gas engine’s compression ratio to 10.7:1. The higher compression ratio helps to deliver more power and efficiency.

A unique induction system was developed to work with the advanced Electronic Throttle Control while a new balance hose and new ductwork and piping improve under-bonnet layout and reliability.

The dedicated LPG Falcon dispenses with all petrol system components including fuel tank and pipes, reducing complexity while saving weight and cost.

E-Gas technology is available on nine vehicles in the Falcon range, including the Falcon XT and Futura sedans and wagons, the Fairmont, the XL, XLS, RTV and XR6 Utes.

Ford LPG Challenge itinerary:
August 3: Melbourne – Geelong
August 4: Geelong – Hamilton – Casterton – Penola – Naracoorte – Keith – Adelaide
August 5: Adelaide – Port Wakefield – Port Pirie – Port Augusta – Ceduna
August 6: Ceduna – Nundroo – Eucla – Madura – Cocklebiddy
August 7: Cocklebiddy – Balladonia – Norseman – Kalgoorlie
August 8: Kalgoorlie – Southern Cross – Merredin – Northam – Perth
August 10: Perth – Geraldton – Carnarvon
August 11: Carnarvon – Nanutarra – Karratha – Port Hedland
August 12: Port Hedland – Pardoo – Sandfire Roadhouse – Broome
August 13: Broome – Fitzroy Crossing – Halls Creek – Kununurra
August 14: Kununurra – Timber Creek – Victoria River – Katherine – Darwin
August 16: Darwin – Katherine – Daly Waters – Renner Springs – Tennant Creek
August 17: Tennant Creek – Barkly Homestead – Camooweal – Mt Isa – Cloncurry
August 18: Cloncurry – Julia Creek – Richmond – Charters Towers – Townsville
August 19: Townsville – Mackay – Rockhampton
August 20: Rockhampton – Gladstone – Maryborough – Gympie – Brisbane
August 22: Brisbane – Warwick – Tenterfield – Armidale – Tamworth
August 23: Tamworth – Coonabarabran – Dubbo – Orange – Bathurst – Lithgow – Sydney
August 24: Sydney – Goulburn – Canberra
August 25: Canberra – Gundagai – Albury – Melbourne

[MO]

They wont do it...trust me the variations in pricing in the outback will kill the goal.

[Smoked]

Good Luck to them.

I dont think they will do it, but i reckon they will come extremely close.

[Lukeyson]

basing my calculations off what LPG costs here in Coffs harbour, at 57c p/l, that gives them 1754 litres of LPG, over 13000kms, they need to achieve 7.4kms per litre (13.15L/100kms) or better. The factory claims for a 4 speed auto E-GAS falcon are 6.29kms per litre, (15.9L/100kms). So for their sake i hope they dont get stuck in too much traffic in the cities :

i sucked at math, it seems right, but could be wrong

[Full Spectrum]

I remember a VY SV8 doing over 900km on 1 tank, But gas they would kill for a 6 speed

[ClevlndStemer]

we drove a territory over 11000km in 10 days in Jan this year and paid about $1200 in fuel.

[LTDHO]

Ford wouldn't do this and advertise they were going to do this unless they had already done it!

So it will do it fine.

[Boss 260 Ute]

Good luck to them

I don't think they will do it but hope they do so then more people buy FORDS!!!

Cheers,

[merlin]

Now just to up the power on the LPG engine to a decent level and make the damn thing reliable...

[Polyal]

Its a brilliant marketing idea though, Ford have really hit there straps lately in that department!

Im sure they have done there home-work, perhaps they will shop at safeway along the way?

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by merlin

Now just to up the power on the LPG engine to a decent level and make the damn thing reliable...

True, how long have Ford had there exsiting setup?

[sarrge2001]

It would depend on whether they go clockwise or anticlockwise........

[BlueRaven]

Originally Posted by sarrge2001

It would depend on whether they go clockwise or anticlockwise........

Or maybe they will be following a truck the whole way, with less resistance, needing less power, using less fuel?

[fiery]

Originally Posted by LTDHO

Ford wouldn't do this and advertise they were going to do this unless they had already done it!

So it will do it fine.

Agreed!!!!

I am a bit cynical also.. I believe that Ford have probably already done this and they either did exactly what they are claiming they can do... or they don't quite make it (maybe a tiny bit off)..

It is a fantastic marketing ploy... Except for cynical people like myself that feel it is just that.. a fantastic marketing ploy!!!!!

[jimmy_c]

Shame its not sequential injection then i would be less sceptical.

[Smoked]

E-Gas falcons are damn good for economy of the highways. mine does really well.

[max]

Originally Posted by Smoked

E-Gas falcons are damn good for economy of the highways. mine does really well.

I'll drink to that!

[MotherNatureVer2]

I think its a great marketing tool ..... about time too ;)

The only thing I feel that will be a stumbling block is the fact that the gas is going to cost a hell of a lot more out in the bush than they are used to paying ........

In saying that are they actually going to fuel up as we do or will they have a tanker following them ????????

Would love to have a gas car out here ........ the nearest station who sells it is over 70k's away ...... doesnt make it practical for us country bumpkins unless you actually live or work in a larger centre ........

[Dazza XLT]

I know of 4 places in WA/NT on that list that don't have gas, but no doubt they have done their homework.
GO FORD!

[Poetic Justice]

I agree to say that Ford has already done it and made sure it's achievable. Pure genious in marketing terms.

[chief]

Before Ford would of announced this plan don't you reckon the marketing department would of done just a bit of research, or get some one to do it for them.

Work out the cost of gas in the country for one and the fuel economy. I believe they will do it because surly the marketing department can't be that ignorant not to do some research before hand.

[S3SR]

if jerremy off top gear could do something similarly impossible in an audi some model V8, ford could do the same..... good luck to FORD hope they make lowndes drive it i wanna meet him in townsville!!

i got 653kms last time from one tank in my AU and that didnt include highway driving hehe i wont be driving like that EVER again though

[Bossxr8]

They will do it pretty easily, they would have crunched the numbers and worked it out before hand. It will mostly be all highway work so the average usage should be less than 10l per 100kms.

Russell Ingall will be at Rex Gorell Ford tommorrow sometime after 4 o'clock.

[Hawk]

Great marketing ploy. Hopefully it will work.

I am of the opinion of a couple of people who think for them to claim such a feat they must have already tested it.

[Lukeyson]

i saw in the local rag today that the E Gas Falcon did it, travelled 13'965km and used $997.55 in LPG

EDIT: and clicking the link in the original post confirms that :

[Smoked]

Originally Posted by Smoked

Good Luck to them.

I dont think they will do it, but i reckon they will come extremely close.

And $2.45 to spare. How wrong I was.