Ford Teams Get Ready for the Challenge

**russellw** · 26-10-2009, 04:45 PM

Three entrants to the Global Green Challenge from Darwin to Adelaide joined together in the blistering Northern Territory heat today to celebrate their common relationship before hitting the road on Saturday.

The Fiesta ECOnetic team, the Falcon XR6 Turbo team and the Ford-supported University of Michigan Solar Car team, brought their cars and their all their team members together for a complete team photo at Hidden Valley Raceway.

The Ford Fiesta ECOnetic and Falcon XR6T will head off on the economy run at 12:30pm on Saturday October 24, while the Solar Car team leaves on Sunday. Ford Team Manager Justin Lacy expects the two production cars to achieve very good fuel economy throughout the 3000km 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 3000km, from Darwin to Adelaide to showcase current and future technologies that are designed to improve fuel economy. Ford has entered a Fiesta ECOnetic (diesel) and a Falcon XR6T in the event.

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

Source: Ford Media

Paxton · 26-10-2009, 05:29 PM

I'm a little disappointed that a ZF equipped G6 didn't get entered as well. It could have been a great opportunity to outshine the SIDI.

Alas, they can do it with a Turbo Falcon instead.

Swordsman88 · 26-10-2009, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paxton

I'm a little disappointed that a ZF equipped G6 didn't get entered as well. It could have been a great opportunity to outshine the SIDI.

Alas, they can do it with a Turbo Falcon instead.

Asking a bit much for the turbo to do that...but it isn't completely out of the question. I think drive has done the job for them on the 3.0 verus 4.0 debate. Lets move on...that was clearly too easy a test....

GT69 · 26-10-2009, 05:34 PM

I smell a rat.

I think Ford has a motive, as far as their concerned, the I6 has already beaten the SIDI, I believe there going to try and show up the SIDI with the I6T....imagine that for a press release? 270kw I6T puts SIDI 3.0 to shame....

Bucknaked · 26-10-2009, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GT69

I smell a rat.

I think Ford has a motive, as far as their concerned, the I6 has already beaten the SIDI, I believe there going to try and show up the SIDI with the I6T....imagine that for a press release? 270kw I6T puts SIDI 3.0 to shame....

What a headline. I'd love to see it. I hope it works out as they planned.

Gaz · 26-10-2009, 05:45 PM

Now lets hope the Michigan uni students report back to Ford in the US to import the xr6t there

phillyc · 26-10-2009, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaz

Now lets hope the Michigan uni students report back to Ford in the US to import the xr6t there

And the Territory!

Franco Cozzo · 26-10-2009, 06:02 PM

I want Ford t-shirts :'(

Anyways the first days results are available in the Fiesta section of the forum.

GK · 26-10-2009, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XCPWSF

I want Ford t-shirts :'(

Indeed. I'd also love that blue Territory Turbo to go with it! LOL!

GK

FPV8U · 26-10-2009, 06:51 PM

If the 4.0L I6T Outshines SIDI 3.0L for Economy they better take advantage of it for a change..

**Polyal** · 26-10-2009, 09:34 PM

Yeah its a risky on re: 4.0T vs 3.0

On one hand they can say they have already proven the n/a version can match it so it was only far to enter the turbo.

Im a bit skeptical that it will beat it, perhaps they will be just about even, but as above if it does look out!