The fuel consumption tests are carried out in a Lab by the vehicle's manufacturer and the data is then passed onto the relevant government authority, The Dept of Transport and Regional Services. The "urban" part of the test is simulated by stop - start type driving as you would expect in any city type driving. The "Extra Urban" (Highway) part is simulated by a constant smooth type of driving as you would expect on any motorway. Environmental factors play no part (wind etc), nor do aerodynamic features (Eg. tailgate down) factor into the test. Picture your car sitting in a workshop being driven on a device similar to a dyno (but not a dyno) and that is how the test is conducted. With that in mind, barring any gearing differences between the ute and the sedan, I imagine you'd have to look at the different weight issues. Maybe this can explain the economy differences?
The other possibility/variable would be the manufacturer's standard tune for the ute compare to the standard tune for the sedan?
Last edited by GYRKIN GT; 13-08-2010 at 05:06 PM.
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