Vauxhall Astra Economy Run

[MikeWarner]

Vauxhall's Astra ECO4 model has returned 90.64 miles per gallon on a 838.7-mile drive from Land's End to John o'Groat's.The 1.7 litre turbo-diesel Astra was accompanied on the drive by a Vauxhall VX220 sports car which in turn covered the journey with an overall fuel consumption of 55.07 miles per gallon, at an average speed of 53.43mph.
The cars were driven by journalists Stuart Bladon and John Kerswill.

[stoner]

Vauxhall's Astra ECO4 model has returned 90.64 miles per gallon on a 838.7-mile drive from Land's End to John o'Groat's.

Wow, that's very impressive. Do you know if it was a standard car?
What were the conditions, modifications etc???

[steve jones]

thats really impressive

[spanky2023]

Vauxhall's Astra ECO4 model has returned 90.64 miles per gallon on a 838.7-mile drive from Land's End to John o'Groat's.The 1.7 litre turbo-diesel Astra was accompanied on the drive by a Vauxhall VX220 sports car which in turn covered the journey with an overall fuel consumption of 55.07 miles per gallon, at an average speed of 53.43mph.
The cars were driven by journalists Stuart Bladon and John Kerswill.

I bought a 54 model of this car in Sept 2004 after reading this and many other reviews.(not blaming anyone HONEST!!!) I travel a 90 miles round trip to work everyday, half on A-roads and the rest on motorway. after several months I have found that I am averaging 45 to 50 to the gallon, and I don't thrash the car or speed.

Can anyone tell me if this is right or should I be getting more?.

The vauxhall brochure says that on this typical drive I should be getting between 67 and 80 to the gallon.

[spanky2023]

Vauxhall's Astra ECO4 model has returned 90.64 miles per gallon on a 838.7-mile drive from Land's End to John o'Groat's.The 1.7 litre turbo-diesel Astra was accompanied on the drive by a Vauxhall VX220 sports car which in turn covered the journey with an overall fuel consumption of 55.07 miles per gallon, at an average speed of 53.43mph.
The cars were driven by journalists Stuart Bladon and John Kerswill.

[spanky2023]

as above

[ZS_]

45-50mpg for that seems a little low - I get 38-45mpg out of my 2.0DTi on a 75% city driving 25% A-road, and I generally drive it like I stole it. Plus I'm running 205 wide tyres which will bring the rolling resistance up.

[sshorrock]

I have had a similar experience, although you seem to have been even unluckier than me. I recently bought 2005 '05' Plate Astra 1.7 CDTi (old shape). Vauxhall's 'combined' fuel economy figure for this car is 61.4 mpg. I have always assumed the 'combined' figure to be a realistic guide to what you can expect in real life driving, and in my previous cars I have always been able to match the manufacturers quote - even if it has meant driving somewhat steadily! However, in the Astra, my first few weeks of ownership have seen 50 mpg at best. This has been rather a disappointment when my main reason for changing from my thirsty 2.2 Vectra (new type) was better fuel economy. Part of the problem at the moment, I am sure, is the very cold weather during my ownership. The diesel lump seems to take forever to warm up, which can't do the fuel economy any favours, and this is made worse because almost all of my journeys are under 10 miles - which means the engine is not at full temperature for probably 80% of all the miles I do. Even so, driven carefully I was expecting better than 50 mpg, even in winter. It's a 73 bhp oil burner for heaven's sake!!!

[Mark T]

The ECO4 has a wider 4th and 5th gear, and aerodynamic undertray.

These will only help above about 50mph, and much above 50 the mpg will drop a lot anyway.

[spanky2023]

Took my car in to Vauxhalls, they tested it and got 46 to the gallon, that less than what I thought I was getting (can't calculate!!! AHHHHH!!!! the consumption is getting worse, yet they say there is nothing wrong with the car.
Any suggestions from anyone?

[Geordieg]

I have just bought an 06 Astra 1.7cdti and the diesel consumption is terrible. Its been checked by Vauxhall and they calculated the mpg to be 41. the book states I should be getting nearly 60mpg on the combined cycle. On a 200 mile motorway journey, sticking to a constant 70mph I still only got 45mpg. I like the car but won't be recommending it to anyone. I could have bought a petrol model for a lot less, that would do almost that mpg. My car only has 4000 miles on it. Its almost new so I can't see there being much wrong with it. The dealer is talking about changing the injectors of the air intake valve.

[ZS_]

Geordieg, you might want to wait for another few thousand miles, then get the oil and filter changed - use a 5W30 fully synthetic (do not let the dealer put in the 10E40 semi-syn junk!) and you may find the fuel economy get a lot better.

With only 4k on the clock your engine will still be tight as hell, which will bring your economy down significantly.

[mark31969]

Geordieg, you might want to wait for another few thousand miles, then get the oil and filter changed - use a 5W30 fully synthetic (do not let the dealer put in the 10E40 semi-syn junk!) and you may find the fuel economy get a lot better.

With only 4k on the clock your engine will still be tight as hell, which will bring your economy down significantly.

I have just bought an Eco 4 because of the cheep car tax of only £30 a year & i tow a caravan so thought i would go diesel & i have have 65 mpg at best & 36 towing caravan to scotland uphill fully loaded so i am very pleased my wife drive this around town to work & we still get 50mpg & i am now converted mine is a 52 plate with 116000,mile on the clock full service history i love it

[Paul]

5 year old thead.

[Dom]

Well technically its a 10 year old thread

I bet it managed the 90mpg because it spent half its time on the back of a breakdown lorry

[Paul]

True, i'll give you that one`