Global Green Challenge 2009
Two Carsales writers will vie for line honours in Australia's premier alternative energy 'race'Competitors in the Global Green Challenge will set out from Darwin on October 24th 2009, showcasing the country's greenest cars -- and a few not so green. Formerly the World Solar Challenge, various production cars will now be running a similar route as their high-profile aerodynamic prototype cousins that are propelled by electric motors powered from the sun.
The event covers 3000km starting in Darwin and heads south, eventually finishing up in Adelaide on the 31st of October (see images for route map). Competitors will travel through regional centres such as Katherine, Alice Springs, Coober Pedy, and Port Augusta.
The Global Green Challenge comprises two categories:
- The World Solar Challenge –solar-powered vehicles
- The Eco Challenge – production and experimental vehicles
Some 38 solar-powered cars representing countries such as the USA, the Netherlands, Australia, France, Germany, Turkey, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, India, and Iran, will take part in the World Solar Challenge, which requires competitors to spend their nights camped by the roadside.
The winner of the World Solar Challenge will be the vehicle that completes the event route across the continent of Australia with the highest average speed. In 2005, the Dutch Nuon Solar Team's 'Nuna 3' vehicle won with an average speed of 102.8km/h, the highest recorded. The event is aimed at improving the technology needed to develop sustainable transport, which may lead to a solar-powered production car in the future.
The Eco Challenge winner will be the vehicle that records the greatest percentage improvement in fuel economy, compared to the official ADR81/01 government fuel economy figures.
This should put some of the larger production vehicles being fielded, such as the HSV Maloo and Ford Falcon XR6 Turbo, in good stead.
Two members of the Carsales team will be driving in the event, with Sydney-based journalist Joshua Dowling piloting the only ute and the only V8 in the event, the HSV Maloo R8.
This Australian-made super ute also has the largest engine in the field and is the thirstiest vehicle in the fleet, so it stands to record good gains on the open road. The final day's city run through Adelaide could provide a challenge for the performance car however. The HSV Maloo has an average fuel consumption of around 15.1 litres per 100km.
On the other end of the scale is the Suzuki Alto, one of the smallest and lightest production cars entering the event. Melbourne-based Carsales Network scribe Feann Torr will be driving the Alto, which weighs just 880kg -- less than half the Maloo ute's mass -- and is powered by a tiny 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine. Average fuel consumption for the Suzuki is 4.8 litres per 100km.
Some of the other vehicles in the Eco Car Challenge category include the Tesla Roadster, Hyundai Santa Fe diesel, Mini D, Holden Commodore Sportwagon, Skoda Superb, Ford Fiesta ECOnetic and even an alcohol powered Honda CT110 postie bike.
Held every two years, the Global Green Challenge is expected to be bigger and better than ever in 2009. Once all the cars and competitors arrive in Adelaide, the event organisers have planned a free public display on Saturday the 31st of October. The specially named "Challenge Village" will be located in Victoria Square in central Adelaide.
Stay tuned for updates direct from Central Australia as our drivers attempt to claim the first production car win.
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