Fuel labelling

From April 2008 cars for sale are required to display information regarding the vehicle's fuel economy. The real life fuel consumption of each vehicle may differ from the various test results. This is because there are a number of variables that can significantly impact on fuel consumption including traffic conditions, driving style, the weight of load and vehicle maintenance.

The fuel consumption figures that are provided are in accordance to either the European test procedure or the Australian fuel testing proceedure.² Both tests are conducted under laboratory conditions and all variables are controlled to ensure that all results are carried out under the same conditions.

Independent AA Fuel Efficiency Test

Subaru of New Zealand has used the AA (New Zealand Automobile Association) to complete independent fuel economy tests on vehicles in the Subaru range. These tests have been conducted over a 430km circuit from Auckland, around the Coromandel Peninsula and return. The vehicles are driven at the speed limit whenever possible with an economical driving style with two adults, 20kg of luggage and the air conditioning on. The purpose of these tests are to demonstrate the fuel efficiency of Subaru vehicles in real-world New Zealand conditions. The result for the test car has been applied to any other models in the specific model range that have the same engine and transmission.

¹ There are two parts to the European fuel consumption test, an urban and an extra-urban cycle. The cars tested have to be run-in; that means they must have been driven for at least 3,000 km before testing (Fuelsaver, 2009).

² Fuel consumption figures based on testing in accordance with ADR 81/02 including use of 95RON fuel.