Update - October 28: Fiesta ECOnetic achieves sub-3.0L/100km fuel economy

Ford's Fiesta ECOnetic has officially cracked the sub-3.0L/100km fuel economy barrier, achieving a Day Four fuel economy figure of only 2.9L/100km during the Alice Springs to Cooper Pedy leg of the Global Green Challenge.

The 2.9L/100km figure equates to a 21.28 percent improvement over the Fiesta's already industry-leading official fuel economy number of only 3.7L/100km.

Ford's other team entrant, the Falcon XR6 Turbo, also continued to showcase just how easily outstanding fuel economy can be matched to outstanding performance. Day Four of the Challenge saw the Falcon achieve a 6.7L/100km result – a staggering 42.33 percent improvement over its official ADR fuel number. 

The Falcon's cumulative number is just as impressive – recording only 6.9L/100km over the course of the entire trip so far.  

"The drive from Alice Springs to Cooper Pedy was the longest of the entire Green Challenge," said Ford Team Manager Justin Lacy.

"A new mandatory rest period was appreciated by the Ford teams – particularly as it proved not to have any negative effect on the fuel economy numbers that either the ECOnetic or the XR6 Turbo achieved during the day."

Official figures for Day Five from Cooper Pedy to Port Augusta will be available on Thursday October 29.

October 27: Ford teams defying expectations in Global Green Challenge

ALICE SPRINGS, Australia – Ford's Fiesta ECOnetic and Falcon XR6 Turbo teams taking part in the Global Green Challenge continue to defy expectations to achieve very strong early fuel economy numbers.

A change in regulations at the end of Day Three (Alice Springs) has seen results recalculated across the board and a hold on official Day Three fuel economy numbers until early/mid-way through Day Four.

However, at the end of Day Two, the Fiesta ECOnetic was continuing to earn its crown as the most fuel-efficient vehicle in Australia, achieving overall fuel economy figures of 3.19L/100km on Day One and 3.13 on Day Two – a significant improvement over its industry-leading official ADR fuel economy number of 3.7L/100km.

The Falcon XR6T meanwhile achieved only 7.09L/100km on its second day – a huge improvement of almost 40 per cent over its official ADR fuel economy figure of 11.7L/100km.

Both teams have combated extreme heat (40C+), dust storms, 42km stretches of road without a single bend, and even an overnight earthquake in their quest to deliver outstanding fuel economy and claim the Global Green Challenge title in their class.

Day Four sees the teams jump back in the cars to face their longest stretch of the entire Challenge. Their drive from Alice Springs to Cooper Pedy will take more than nine (9) hours and cover approximately 685kms.

October 26: Ford teams embark on Global Green Challenge

DARWIN, Australia – Competitors in the Global Green Challenge from Darwin to Adelaide set off through the blistering Northern Territory heat this weekend, aiming to showcase fuel economy and solar-powered engineering.

The Ford Fiesta ECOnetic team and Falcon XR6 Turbo team started the race at 12:30 p.m. on October 24, while the Ford-supported University of Michigan Solar Car team began the following day.

Ford Team Manager Justin Lacy expects the two production cars to achieve very good fuel economy throughout the 3000-kilometre drive to Adelaide, while Solar Car Race Manager Steve Hechtman is fired up to win this year's Solar Car Event.

"Achieving only 3.7L/100km, the Fiesta ECOnetic is Australia's most fuel efficient car, so we expect it to seriously challenge for the outright title of lowest fuel economy in this event," said Lacy. "Our Falcon XR6T is our sleeper entrant though – the overall winner will be determined by which team achieves the greatest improvement over their official ADR fuel economy number – and we're set to surprise a few people with just how good the fuel economy is on our Falcon.

"With the XR6T, we'll be proving that you really CAN have your cake and eat it too – hugely enjoyable performance, combined with outstanding fuel economy."

The Solar Car team is enjoying their trip to Australia and determined to win their segment – despite combating very high temperatures.

"The heat in Darwin is definitely unlike what we're used to at home, but we've had a few days to get used to it and we're determined to do our absolute best," said Solar Car Race Manager, Steve Hechtman.

The Global Green Challenge will cover more than 3000 kilometres, from Darwin to Adelaide to showcase current and future technologies that are designed to improve fuel economy.

Follow the progress of the Ford teams on http://twitter.com/FordAPA and http://facebook.com/FordFiesta