Re: RE: Miles per gallon

[Mike Wattam <101714.1343@domain.elided>]

As stated in my e-mail Saturday, Stags are very susceptible to tuning, and
in particular the 3-speed auto literally eats fuel so in view of your own
achievements I suggest it would be a good idea if you took a look at your
tuning.

You are right, the fuel figures achieved in tests are always done in still
air conditions, preferably damp/wet, tyres highest pressures possible,
engine/transmission worked on to give low friction  and the measurements
taken many times over a fixed distance at constant speed to secure the best
possible results.  Thus, we can probably never hope to achieve the fuel
consumptions orginally quoted.  

Similarly, as you have noted, the road test figures were always notoriously
inaccurate and have to be ignored as completely worthless unless you drive
like a journalist (see Quentin Wilsson, Jeremy Clarkson).  In most cases
you could not even work out whether one model of car might be better or
worse than another.  To really push this point home, the various road tests
done in the (production) life of the Stag all show noticeably different
results.

These manufacturer practices led to the introduction of 'official' test
procedures which showed a very different picture (particularly the urban
cycle) and do equate better to what actually happens in real life - and
could STILL be improved!

Mike Wattam
Triumph Stag Register