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The problem with official EU-cycle fuel consumption figures is that they don't reflect the way people drive, which means they are difficult to match in day-to-day driving. PSA has published results of 'Real-World' fuel consumption tests for thirty Citroen, DS and Peugeot models.
A test procedure was established by two non-government organisations; Transport & Environment (T&E) and France Nature Environment (FNE), which was audited by Bureau Veritas. It is claimed that the results of the tests are reliable and repeatable. Consumption was measured by a portable emissions measurement system (PEMS), with tests conducted on public roads that were open to traffic. The cars were tested with typical passenger and luggage loads plus use of air-conditioning. Measurements were compared with customer fuel consumption data from independent surveys, which verified the test results as representative of real-world driving.
The results of the T&E tests show that, broadly speaking, the EU test is a fair way of comparing cars; vehicles with low fuel consumption in one test also recorded low consumption on the other cycle. Economy champion in both cases was the Peugeot 208 1.6-litre BlueHDI 120 with 4.7 litres/100km on the T&E cycle compared with 3.0 litres/100km on the EU cycle. The greatest difference between tests was observed with the Peugeot 3008 1.2-litre PureTech 130; 7.6 litres/100km (T&E) compared with 4.9 litres/100km (EU).
By the end of 2016 Peugeot, Citroen and DS brands will offer a simulator on their web sites to help customers predict fuel consumption based on the type of driving they do. PSA will also offer an eco-driving application to help customers reduce fuel use.