Peugeot celebrates five wins in the 2013 MPG Marathon

• New Peugeot 308 and 208 GTi take five MPG Marathon awards in both diesel and petrol classes
• Stylish new 308 achieved an average 82mpg over the 350-mile journey around the UK
• Performance-model 208 GTi demonstrates economy capability with nearly 60mpg overall

In the ever-challenging MPG Marathon, this year held from Tankersley, near Sheffield, three new Peugeot cars were pitched against their latest competitors to highlight real-world economy driving.

Two New Peugeot 308 HDi 92 models were entered with sub 100g/km CO2 and a Combined Drive Cycle exceeding 75mpg, along with the 208 GTi, more likely to be sought for its 200bhp output, agility and acceleration, but with CO2 at an impressively low 139g/km and a Combined Drive Cycle at 47.9mpg is clearly an accomplished all-round performer.

This year’s event for the first time had five set locations across the UK (Lincoln, York, Manchester, Burton-upon-Trent & Tankersley) but relied on the navigation skills of the co-driver to chance the best route in real-world driving conditions.

The final results show that with the intention of economical driving, it is possible to exceed the Government’s 'New Car Fuel Consumption and Emission Figures' (Directive 93/116/EC as amended by Regulation (EC) 692/2008) as John Kendall and Paul Nieuwenhuis in the petrol-powered 208 GTi achieved 59.39mpg over 341.1 miles – ‘the best percentage improvement’ (24%) and ‘best MPG in Class 2’.

Driving the New 308 Chris Russon, who writes for the Trinity Mirror Regional Newspaper Group, with co-driver Kevin Jones achieved 82.04mpg over 350.5 miles - the ‘best percentage improvement in Class 3’ (10.4%) and the ‘2nd best percentage improvement’, while Ian Robertson of DieselCar magazine and co-driver Marc-Antoine Negre achieved 77.15mpg over 353 miles - ‘3rd best percentage improvement’ (3.8%).

Full details of the 2013 MPG Marathon are available at http://www.thempgmarathon.co.uk/

Commenting on his achievements in the MPG Marathon, Chris Russon said: “While it is important that most new cars are declaring improved economy, the fact that the New Peugeot 308 has reduced its weight by some 140kg – equivalent to two adults – means that achieving good economy is much more likely, and driven with that in mind it not only brings great achievements but makes for safer driving too.”

Trip to Wheels and Waves - Friday - Bixente moto - 1953 BSA A10

Vincent Lassere's 1953 BSA A10 dropped out of the sky from planet cool.
Want!

Trip to Wheels and Waves - Friday - Bixente Moto part 3 - outside

Trip to Wheels and Waves - Friday - Bixente Moto part 3

Trip to Wheels and Waves - Friday - Bixente Moto part 2

Trip to Wheels and Waves - Friday - Bixentemoto part 1

Friday morning I visited Bixente Moto, close to our Hotel in Anglet. The Bixente store is probably the coolest place on ze planet. The store is packet with the rarest classic stuff that everybody's is looking for. Old French motorbikes, speedway gear, rare BMX bikes, old racing leathers, vintage, Buco and Bell helmets, grips, stickers, pinball machines, mopeds, custom bikes.. You want it? He's probably got it. I was walking around in the place and I just didn't know where to look, in every corner, on the ceiling, everywhere bitchin stuff all over the place.

Born in 67, Vincent Lassere aka Bixente, grew up with a father that was riding a Royal Enfield interceptor, BSA and Nortons at a local gang during the 60s.  Biarritz the town where Bixente grew up was very exciting in the eighties with a lot of foreigners surfers and skaters traveling in their vans and bringing the taste and flavor of The Californian way of life. Then at 19 Bixenete bought his first Harley and turned it in low budget chopper. He worked at a local Harley dealer from '92 to '97. Soon after he decided to open his own store.  The store is specialized in the recovery of motorcycles and antiques. Vincent rides his heavily modified 53 BSA A10 and he's part organizer of Wheels and Waves together with the Southsiders. The new king of cool builds custom bikes for customers together with the very skilled mechanic Alfonso that joined Bixente Motos some time ago. Vincent swapped me his very dope chain stitched jacket and Alfonso helped me out with my crashed bike, thanks dudes!  I will be back!