HSV Maloo leads eco challenge

The new HSV Maloo is leading the field after two days of long distance driving in the 2009 Global Green Challenge, according to provisional results.

The six-day, 3000km economy run from Darwin to Adelaide has encountered the shockwave of an earthquake (in Katherine yesterday) and a dust storm (this morning in Tennant Creek).

But that's nothing compared to the storm brewing between HSV and Ford who are at the head of the field in their performance cars.

Although the V8 ute and turbocharged Falcon sedan are using more fuel than the rest of the field, the competitors are judged on the biggest improvement they make on the fuel rating label.

The HSV Maloo, with a rating label combined figure of 15.1L/100km averaged 8.0L/100km on day two (a 46 per cent improvement), in the run from Katherine to Darwin which took nine hours yesterday, while the XR6 Turbo averaged 7.1L/100km (a 39 per cent improvement).

The Holden Omega wagon made a 33 per cent improvement, while a trio of diesel Minis and the new diesel-powered Ford Fiesta bettered their ADR figures by an average of 15 per cent.

The petrol powered Suzuki Alto is making impressive inroads into the diesel dominance. It improved by 19 per cent on day two.

In the 4WD class, the new Kia Sorrento and facelifted Hyundai Santa Fe, both powered by identical 2.2-litre turbo diesel engines, made improvements of between 19 and 26 per cent.

The Korean battle is an interesting one given that Hyundai has invested heavily in the event and is being followed by its own documentary crew. Hyundai also has a media event planned in Adelaide on the eve of the finish.

But its sister brand Kia looks poised to upset the party, with Kia getting a better result than the Hyundai for two days in a row.

The going is hot and sweaty for all participants -- including Carsales contributor Joshua Dowling -- with most teams electing to switch off their air-conditioning systems to save fuel.

Temperatures outside the car are in excess of 40 degrees; inside the cars is hotter.

LeMans 24 hour winner and first time economy run driver, Vern Schuppan, who is driving one of the Mini diesels, compared endurance racing with the Eco Challenge thus: "There is no comparison, except in both you get very sweaty."

The run continues from Tennant Creek to Alice Springs today, ahead of the longest run of the event tomorrow (Tuesday).

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