- Bushfires suspend World Solar Challenge
- Audi A1 1.6 TDI consumption even better on Day 2
- Solar cars strung across the country
Bushfires which cut the Stuart Highway near Barrow Creek, about 380km north of Alice Springs forced organisers of the Veolia 2011 World Solar Challenge to temporarily suspend the event yesterday.
The leading solar cars, averaging around 100km/h, were held on the roadside pending the re-opening of the highway, the only road link between Alice Springs and Darwin. But other teams in the 37-car field were strung across the Territory, some having to be loaded on to trailers to keep up with the minimum distance requirements set by the organisers.
The Audi A1 1.6 TDI which is taking part in the event to demonstrate its green and economical credentials, had its first refueling yesterday (Monday) morning after the hilly and busy 300km run from Sunday's start in Darwin to Katherine.
The car used a fraction over 12 litres for the journey for a fuel use of 3.7 litres/100km. Yesterday's leg from Katherine to Tennant Creek was twice the distance and with the mercury hitting 32C and with strong cross-winds the Audi's economy improved. Although the official fuel consumption figures won't be calculated until early today after morning refueling, early calculations have the car using only 3.5 litres/100km.
Heavy road train traffic, solar cars and their convoys and grey nomads in hulking four-wheel drives lugging massive caravans were among the hazards on the road.
Provided the Stuart Highway is re-opened today, the third leg of the event for the Audi will be 509km to Alice Springs.
Audi has gained approval from the organisers of the Veolia World Solar Challenge to run the Audi A1 in conjunction with the solar car race to demonstrate the car's low fuel consumption and low carbon dioxide emissions in everyday driving. Organisers have appointed an independent adjudicator to supervise the run.
The Audi A1, which is about to go on to the market in Australia, is powered by a four-cylinder, 1.6-litre turbocharged diesel engine producing 66kW of power and 230Nm of torque.
The car's lightweight construction - it weighs 1135kg - is complemented by a low, 0.32 drag coefficient. It runs on low rolling resistance tyres and incorporates "start-stop" technology which turns off the engine when the car is stopped in traffic and restarts it when the clutch pedal is depressed.
The A1 1.6 TDI will be available with a choice of five-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed S tronic transmission.
The 2011 Veolia World Solar Challenge will finish in Adelaide on Friday.