1172km from Berlin to Jesolo in Italy on less than 40 euros for fuel: It’s possible with the new ŠKODA Octavia G-TEC. As part of a fuel-saving race against the Baumann family from Berlin, Austrian Gerhard Plattner achieved a natural gas consumption of only 2.93 kg/100 km with the Octavia G-TEC. This figure is 0.5kg (17%) under the manufacturer’s specification of 3.5kg in the Euromix.
The popular record-breaking driver Gerhard Plattner went head to head with the four-member Baumann family from Berlin. Their objective was to each drive an Octavia G-TEC from the German capital to Jesolo in the Italian Adriatic and to use as little natural gas as possible.
In the end, Plattner’s dark blue Octavia G-TEC used an average of only 2.93 kg natural gas per 100km. This corresponds to CO2 emissions of a mere 81 g/km. The fuel itself only cost 35.71 euros. The Baumann family’s silver Octavia G-TEC consumed an average of 3.6 kg of natural gas per 100km.
“This result shows how cheap and also how environmentally friendly driving the Octavia G-TEC really is”, explains ŠKODA Board Member for Development Dr. Frank Welsch. “CNG technology combines clean mobility with low operating costs, and provides an unrestricted and fun driving experience.”
Both Octavia G-TECs weighed 1700kg. Since Plattner was alone in his car, the vehicle was loaded with additional water tanks to make up the weight of the other three people. The journey was mostly covered over motorways, and the predetermined minimum speed was 80 km/h. The exact distance of 1172km was completed in three stages, each of around 400km between 8 and 10 July 2014. The vehicles were refuelled with natural gas at intermittent points.
“There still seems to be some uncertainty when it comes to natural gas, but there shouldn’t be. Fuel-efficient mobility is no longer a waiver. Car buyers no longer have to choose between fuel-saving technology and comfort,” says Gerhard Plattner. “The SKODA Octavia G-TEC is a prime example. The engine is very fuel efficient, and at the same time offers all the comforts of a comparable vehicle running on standard fuel.”
The new ŠKODA Octavia G-TEC has been available on the market in saloon and estate versions since May. Both models are powered by a 1.4 TSI engine, delivering 81 kW (110 hp) and using both petrol and CNG. CNG stand for Compressed Natural Gas. Both natural gas Octavias come with the Green-tec package as standard, which includes the Start-Stop System and Braking Energy Recovery. The modern assembly complies with EU 6 emission standards.
With the ŠKODA Octavia G-TEC as saloon and estate models, as well as the ŠKODA Citigo G-TEC, the Czech carmaker currently offers three vehicles that run on natural gas. The natural gas Citigo is synonymous with high efficiency and environmental friendliness. This was also demonstrated about a year ago with another record-breaking drive by Gerhard Plattner, in which he drove from Vincenza, Italy to Stockholm, Sweden in the Citigo G-TEC with an average consumption of 2.39 kg natural gas/100 km. For the total distance of 2619km, it came out at only 81.24 euros in fuel.
Natural gas drive plays an important role in ŠKODA’s sustainability strategy. Overall, CNG offers great opportunities for sustainable mobility. The exhaust gases are contaminated with fewer pollutants than petrol or diesel exhaust. Another advantage of natural gas vehicles is low operating cost. Depending on the market, natural gas is up to 60% cheaper than petrol and around 40% cheaper than diesel. In some European countries there are also tax benefits when purchasing a natural gas vehicle.