Driven under everyday conditions, the 207’s averaged a realistically achievable 3.9 litres per 100 km, while the 307 achieved a figure of 5.1 litres per 100 km. Producing only 118 and 154 grammes of CO2 per kilometre respectively, Peugeot diesels also reduce particulate emissions to barely measurable levels, via the standard fitment of an innovative particulate filter on all their vehicles.

While the event provides manufacturers with an opportunity to showcase the abilities of modern fuel efficient vehicles, driving between Darwin and Adelaide, there are no designated parameters for participants with final fuel consumption figures potentially affected by such things as driving style and speed, number of occupants and weight in the car and use of creature comforts such as air conditioning. It stands to reason that a professional driver alone in a car stripped of all excess weight such as a spare tyre, driving at slower speeds without air conditioning is going to gain a significant fuel consumption advantage.

As Peugeot are already the proud owners of a number of fuel economy world records, they approached this event purely on the basis of showing the public what sort of fuel economy (and subsequently low emissions) can be achieved under normal driving conditions.

Team Peugeot vehicles were driven by two people, with luggage on board for a week away for two, brochures for public displays, water supplies, technical equipment, cleaning gear and assorted paraphernalia.

The Peugeot vehicles were brand new with approximately 400 kms on the clock – barely run in – and with no special preparation or modifications what so ever. Absolutely nothing was removed from the vehicles which retained their full size spares, jacks and tool kits for the entire journey.

Team Peugeot vehicles were driven by Peugeot Automobiles Australia staff members, who were selected to represent the company via a staff incentive. As such, the 11 different drivers, 5 female and 6 male, were representative of the normal driving public – some had some long distance driving experience however for most it was their first time in the Outback. No professional drivers were used and there were no support cars backing up the team.

The Peugeot convoy drove their vehicles at speeds ranging between 80 and 95 kilometres per hour, using cruise control for the most part as this is how customers take long interstate trips. The vehicles were used for side trips to restaurants and shops in the towns they visited, points of interest such as Ayers Rock and Katherine Gorge, and were always driven and never pushed. Air-conditioning was used when required and windows were opened for ventilation.

National Public Relations Manger, Mathew McAuley who oversaw the event for Peugeot said, “As Peugeot took a real-world approach to the event, the excellent figures we achieved were slightly higher than the two leading teams, who conducted the event in a very serious and theoretically competitive manner."

“The public should be aware, however, that without any sort of uniform set of conditions, comparisons between team results are meaningless”.