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New Santa Fe Drink Less in 40° Heat


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TENNANT CREEK, AUSTRALIA – October 26, 2009: After two grueling days of high-temperature competition over almost 1000km in the Global Green Challenge, the Hyundai Santa Fe Team R turbo-diesels have smashed their official fuel economy rating by an impressive 21.23 per cent.

With temperatures hovering near 40 degrees C at the Tennant Creek refuelling point, the Hyundai Team R Santa Fe driven by former Australian rally champion Ed Ordynski and motoring journalist John Cadogan returned an outstanding overall fuel consumption figure of 5.24L/100km. The Team R Santa Fe driven by News Limited journalists Chris Riley and Keith Didham returned 5.28L/100km.

“For an SUV as robust and practical as the new Santa Fe to deliver less than six litres per 100 kilometres on one of the Australian outback’s toughest roads is truly outstanding,” said Ed Ordynski, former Australian champion rally driver. “This proves that considerable cost savings and an impressive environmental benefit is certainly achievable – without compromising practicality – when you combine the right technology in a modern turbo-diesel vehicle with conservative driving techniques.”

The Hyundai team R Santa Fe SUVs face more than 2000 kilometres of Stuart Highway, and a demanding urban stage in Adelaide over the remaining five days of the Global Green Challenge.