I continue to be utterly delighted with my purchase of a Skoda Octavia VRS TDI. In fact I have now nicknamed it ROCKtavia - nothing to do with the suspension, of course, but everything to do with the performance. I recently promised to report back on fuel economy following my trip from cambridgeshire to the scottish Highlands. With the first leg of that journey complete, here is the interim report...

The trip from Cambridgeshire to Fort William was a total distance of about 560 miles. I normally do it in the 'one-er' but this time split it overnight. I am pleased to report that the whole journey was done on one tank of fuel (just basic tesco diesel) with room to spare. (The fuel warning light did not come on during the journey, but did so when I used the car the following day.)

My route took in a good mixed variety of roads (for more detail, see end).

I am absolutely delighted that average fuel consumption for the entire journey (according to the in-car computer) was 51.4 mpg (miles per gallon). This actually seems to tally very well with the amount of fuel used/distance left.

Naturally I am delighted with the result - particularly from a car that has the performance capabilities of the Octavia vRS. I think the car is probably capable of even better economy (e.g. on a pure motorway run, with no climbs and no queues). However, while I am in the Highlands I will be driving with a view to enjoying the performance rather than the economy!

For a full summary of the route, mixture of roads and notes on driving style/technique, please see the full report on my website.

nice wee write up there m8...

Considering the traffic you encountered no wonder you got 51.4 mpg ....

However, while I am in the Highlands I will be driving with a view to enjoying the performance rather than the economy!

... I would now expect you to get less than 40mpg

Considering the traffic you encountered no wonder you got 51.4 mpg ....

... I would now expect you to get less than 40mpg

It's not that easy, though, in a snarl-up to get good mpg. Apart from the fact the engine is basically turning more per unit of distance, you can't take advantage of over-run to shut off the fuel supply...:(

yeah - now 38 - 40 mpg whizzing round the highlands, but still better than the 24 from the Volvo T4

It's not that easy, though, in a snarl-up to get good mpg. Apart from the fact the engine is basically turning more per unit of distance, you can't take advantage of over-run to shut off the fuel supply...:(

yeah - now 38 - 40 mpg whizzing round the highlands, but still better than the 24 from the Volvo T4

I know what you mean; my commute home daily is 8 miles congested urban followed by 'fast' dual carriageway/M-way and I get 37/38mpg.

The same run in the morning with congested but flowing M-way @ 60 - 70mph with clear urban c.40mph I get 42-44mpg!