Searching for New Zealands most fuel efficient cars
Posted: 19 July 2010
The AA EnergyWise Rally is held every two years and is jointly organised by the AA, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), and Gull Petroleum New Zealand.
Vehicles entered into the competition compete against each other in seven different categories for the title of the most fuel efficient in each class. The supreme winner is the vehicle that costs the least to run over the entire rally.
2010 AA Energywise Rally Route
The AA Energywise Rally route covers approximately 1780 kilometres over four days. Starting in Auckland the rally cars follow a specified route to Wellington and back to Auckland.
Day 1: Auckland to Wanganui via New Plymouth (11 October)
The rally commences with an Auckland rush hour loop, starting from the Ellerslie Function Centre the route takes rally vehicles into the CBD before joining the Southern Motorway.
The route continues south on SH1, through Huntly and Ngaruawahia to Hamilton and then joins SH3 to continue through Te Awamutu and Otorohanga to Te Kuiti for a lunch break.
Following lunch the route continues on SH3 to Taranaki via Mokau, then into the centre of New Plymouth before driving through Inglewood, Stratford and Hawera to reach the destination in Wanganui.
The total distance for the day is approximately 540 kilometres.
Day 2 - Wanganui to Palmerston North, via Masterton & Parliament (12 October)
Departing Wanganui the rally travels via Bulls to The Square in Palmerston North. From here the rally continues to Ashurst and the Manawatu Gorge. After Woodville, a right turn takes the rally onto SH2 and in the direction of the Wairarapa, through the centre of Masterton before climbing the Rimutakas. The rally continues through the Hutt Valley before stoping for a lunch break in Wellington.
The afternoon drive entails a short drive up the Kapiti Coast on SH1 and into the centre of Levin. From here the rally continues on SH57 to the days final destination in Palmerston North.
Total distance for the day approximately 430km.
Day 3 - Palmerston North to Rotorua via Napier (13 October)
An early climb kicks off day three taking the rally from Palmerston North over the Pahiatua track, including a fleeting visit to Pahiatua before going "bush" still on tarmac. Reaching Makuri the rally continues to Pongaroa, Weber, Wimbledon, Porongahau, Wallingford and Wanstead before reaching civilisation again at Waipukurau.
This next section is for the drivers! Co-drivers should take the necessary precautions to make sure they can retain their breakfast! From Waipukurau the rally heads up SH2 through Hastings before breaking for a lunch stop on Napiers Marine Parade.
Following lunch it is onward and over the Napier/Taupo Road to Taupo. From here the rally continues on SH5 to Rotorua, the final overnight halt.
Total distance for the day approximately 500km.
Day 4 - Rotorua to Auckland
Departing Rotorua, the rally continues around the lake past the airport on SH33, making its way down into the Bay of Plenty before rejoining SH2 to Te Puke, Mt Maunganui and Tauranga. The last stretch of the rally goes via Waihi, Paeroa and across the Hauraki Plains to Pokeno, rejoining the motorway to reach the final refuel at Gull on Roscommon Road in Manukau.
Total distance for the day approximately 270km.