Graham Hill Explains How Much Driving Fast Costs You

Thursday, 2. June 2011

On the question of economy Auto Express carried out a test to see what the real effect would be of driving a car faster over the same distance. They carried out the test using a Renault Megane Sport Tourer 2.0l diesel. They covered a distance of 70 miles on the Longcross Proving Ground in Surrey. They used this 2 mile circuit as it allowed them to set the cruise control and maintain the exact speed for the distance. Having worked out the fuel used they converted that to cash at the rate of £1.42 per litre. At 60miles per hour the car covered the distance in 70 minutes, used 6.8 litres at a fuel consumption of 47.7 miles per gallon, the cost was £9.66.

When they increased the speed to 70 miles per hour the trip took 60 minutes saving 10 minutes behind the wheel, fuel consumption dropped to 40.2mpg using 8.1l of fuel at a cost of £11.50. At 80mph the trip time dropped to 52 minutes but fuel consumption dropped to 33.1mpg using 9.8litres at a cost of £13.92.

So whilst the journey took 18 minutes less the cost of fuel jumped from £9.66 to £13.92, an increase of £4.26 or an amazing 44%. By Graham Hill