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23rd
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A couple of weeks ago, I blogged about my observed gas mileage in a variety of recently tested, fuel-efficient cars.
I noted that I have a lead foot. So, for many a lighter-footed driver than I, mileage figures will be better.
But here's a different spin. Let's take a casual look at some of the mileages I've recorded in a number of recently tested performance cars - just for fun. The big surprise here is that most don't have the drinking problem many an eco-minded hippy might think.
Here's what I've logged lately in some quick machines - and remember that your results will vary.
Porsche 911 Turbo S: 11.8L/100km
This twin-turbo terror has 530 horsepower, AWD, and gets off the line like an alcohol-powered dragster with racing slicks. But during my highway-intensive test drive in the dead of winter, the snow tire-equipped tester put away a combined 11.8L/100km of premium. Many midsized crossovers use more fuel. The Nissan 370Z, with about 200 less horsepower, was right in this mileage ballpark, too. Interesting!
Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible: 9L/100km (highway)
Cruising with a hot, topless model is awesome. Driving a convertible is pretty cool, too. The Camaro SS Convertible, with a six-speed manual, is an ideal highway cruising companion - and one that drank just 9L/100km of fuel with the cruise set at the speed limit. That's on par with many midsized family sedans.
Ford Shelby GT500: 15L/100km
This Mustang variant, powered by 5.4 litres of supercharged American silliness, packed 550 horsepower, a six-speed stick, and enough torque to vaporize a set of Pirellis by merely glancing at the gas pedal. It's about the most affordable fun you can have on an empty backroad late at night without getting an awkward phone call 9 months later.
Highway cruising mileage at 10L/100km proves that big powerful engines don't drink excessively when they aren't working hard. Lead-footed city driving mileage at 20L/100km proves the opposite. But my test average was about 15L/100km, or about the same as a Ford Edge, Honda Pilot, Audi R8 5.2 or Cadillac CTS-V.
Jaguar XKR: 14L/100km
You might expect the XKR's 5.0L, supercharged V8 to suck back the premium sauce faster than Keith Richards when you give it the boots - but your writer came away impressed with an overall test average of 14L/100km. This kitty is well set up for a highway cruise, and won't shred your wallet in the process of filling up. Relatively speaking.
BMW Alpina B7: 12.6L/100km
The B7's fuel mileage defies its specifications. Twin turbochargers, 8 cylinders, AWD and a body the size of a parking garage don't seem conducive to the prolonged existence of a tank of fuel - but my test drive of this 500-hp rocket lounge put away just 12.6L/100km of high-grade.
I noted that I have a lead foot. So, for many a lighter-footed driver than I, mileage figures will be better.
But here's a different spin. Let's take a casual look at some of the mileages I've recorded in a number of recently tested performance cars - just for fun. The big surprise here is that most don't have the drinking problem many an eco-minded hippy might think.
Here's what I've logged lately in some quick machines - and remember that your results will vary.
Porsche 911 Turbo S: 11.8L/100km
This twin-turbo terror has 530 horsepower, AWD, and gets off the line like an alcohol-powered dragster with racing slicks. But during my highway-intensive test drive in the dead of winter, the snow tire-equipped tester put away a combined 11.8L/100km of premium. Many midsized crossovers use more fuel. The Nissan 370Z, with about 200 less horsepower, was right in this mileage ballpark, too. Interesting!
Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible: 9L/100km (highway)
Cruising with a hot, topless model is awesome. Driving a convertible is pretty cool, too. The Camaro SS Convertible, with a six-speed manual, is an ideal highway cruising companion - and one that drank just 9L/100km of fuel with the cruise set at the speed limit. That's on par with many midsized family sedans.
Ford Shelby GT500: 15L/100km
This Mustang variant, powered by 5.4 litres of supercharged American silliness, packed 550 horsepower, a six-speed stick, and enough torque to vaporize a set of Pirellis by merely glancing at the gas pedal. It's about the most affordable fun you can have on an empty backroad late at night without getting an awkward phone call 9 months later.
Highway cruising mileage at 10L/100km proves that big powerful engines don't drink excessively when they aren't working hard. Lead-footed city driving mileage at 20L/100km proves the opposite. But my test average was about 15L/100km, or about the same as a Ford Edge, Honda Pilot, Audi R8 5.2 or Cadillac CTS-V.
Jaguar XKR: 14L/100km
You might expect the XKR's 5.0L, supercharged V8 to suck back the premium sauce faster than Keith Richards when you give it the boots - but your writer came away impressed with an overall test average of 14L/100km. This kitty is well set up for a highway cruise, and won't shred your wallet in the process of filling up. Relatively speaking.
BMW Alpina B7: 12.6L/100km
The B7's fuel mileage defies its specifications. Twin turbochargers, 8 cylinders, AWD and a body the size of a parking garage don't seem conducive to the prolonged existence of a tank of fuel - but my test drive of this 500-hp rocket lounge put away just 12.6L/100km of high-grade.
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| Photo: Matthieu Lambert |