Entered in 1.6-litre HDi 110hp SE guise, the French manufacturer’s newest model returned an impressive 71.92mpg over the 330 mile challenging route to and from Basingstoke and Torquay, with a 19.67% improvement over Peugeot’s published figures. The car finished sixth overall, only just behind other smaller and less powerful cars.

Peugeot’s 308 ran exclusively on Michelin’s new Energy Saving tyres, included as standard for all 1.6-litre HDi 90 and HDi 110 versions fitted with both 15” and 16” wheels.  They reduce rolling resistance and provide a CO₂ reduction of up to 4g/km or around one tonne of CO₂ during the life of the vehicle.

Experienced MPG Marathon entrants, John Dalton and David Adams were at the wheel, as the 308 triumphed over its class rivals including: the Audi A3 2.0TDi, Kia cee’d 1.6D and Seat Leon FR TDI.

The annual MPG Marathon presents competitors with a variety of urban and extra-urban driving conditions, in an attempt to recreate circumstances faced each day by the average British motorist.  The route provides a challenge for drivers to concentrate on reducing their fuel usage, thereby demonstrating the financial and environmental impact of what can be achieved by economical driving.

Commenting on the success John said, “Both David and I were extremely pleased with the performance of the 308.  It proved to be a highly economical family car, and certainly on my part, surpassed expectations.  This car demonstrates that you do not need to compromise on size or practicality when looking to reduce your environmental impact.”

Peugeot’s 308 HDi range has CO₂ emissions from just 120g/km (1.6-litre HDi 90 Urban and S models from £11,995) with a published fuel economy of up to 62.77mpg on the official Combined Cycle – but the MPG Marathon result shows that it is possible to achieve even more than that.