Quote:
Originally Posted by abhikb Hi mate,
if the Thar can extract a FE of 16+ kmpl on the highway considering that varicor 400 is also a derivative of Common Rail diesel technology same as that in the Thar CRDe.
A separate post mentioning key pointers on how you ensure the good FE figures will be very helpful.
Anyways happy motoring and wish you many more happy miles with the beauty (Oh, I love it, it’s my second love after Jeeps). |
Hi Abhi,
Thank you!
These are the simple measures I implement while driving the Storme:
1. Gradual acceleration and deceleration. Very very rarely does the rev needle go up fast (I used to floor my ciaz all the time and still get 18 kmpl
![LOL](https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/images/smilies/LOL.png)
)
2. Being in highest gear possible without lugging the engine. Luckily Storme Varicor 400 has great drivability. You can stay at 1000 rpm and still see good progress with a dab on the accelerator
3. Anticipating braking. When there is a slow moving traffic or an obstacle, say 200 meters away, I take my foot off the gas pedal, and coast it till that spot.
4. Coasting when possible. Specially on downward slopes. The 2+ tonne kerb weight of the storme aids in maintaining the momentum downhill. You will be surprised to know that I have done over 1.5 km without any accelerator input coming from a large over bridge.
5. Maintaining optimal highway speeds. Specifically 80-100 kmph, mostly 90 kmph
6. Proper tyre pressure. 32 psi recommended for low load driving. I maintain 33 psi
7. AC set to eco mode. Storme has an extremely powerful ac(like all Tatas). I use the ac in eco mode which itself is sufficient. If I have rear passengers, I use the rear ac or else its just the front AC in eco mode at blower level 1.
8. No idling unnecessarily. No short trips (<5km) unnecessarily.
I feel some of these might be too intrusive for many to follow. I actually have driven the opposite way since my last ride was one of the most fuel efficient cars around. Since my daily usage is higher than average, I had to focus on fuel efficiency with the storme. Hence I tried doing these and ended up loving to drive in a relaxed manner. There is completely no stress in driving, combined with the space and comfort of the storme, it's even more pleasurable. Big shoutout to the Varicor 400 engine's nice drivability + refinement + omnipresent 400 Nm torque + 6 th cog.
I must also admit that the same combination charms you more with opposite kind of driving. Time to time I floor the storme at speeds one wouldn't believe that a safari would cruise at, and thoroughly enjoy the speedo needle rushing over triple digit speeds. Takes quite a lot of self control to drive it sedately.
I think Thar can do better fuel efficiency than Storme, given the weight advantage. Moreover Mahindra diesels have always been more frugal than Tata counterparts, displacement to displacement. Both thar and storme are aerodynamic disasters, while the only setback for thar in comparison to storme is that the thar is a 4WD which definitely will drink more fuel than my 2WD storme.
Btw, the Thar is one lovely car to own. I lust at every new thar that I see on road. Lol. Have fun with that legend!!