Starfinancer

How much does it cost to travel five hundred kilometers in an electric, diesel mild-hybrid or petrol-powered car without any form of hybridization? Assuming that the infinite variables do not allow univocal answers, we tried to put together the data relating to consumption and refueling costs from three of our tests with Mustang Mach-E Rwd (98.8 kWh battery, 294 horsepower), Audi Q5 Sportback 40 Tdi pushed by the 204 horsepower 2.0 mild-hybrid turbodiesel and finally, the Jaguar F-Pace SVR powered by a gigantic 5.0 V8 capable of delivering 551 horsepower.

Although profoundly different in their beating heart, the three SUV coupes in question share a vaguely sporty aesthetic, dimensions, roominess, load volumes (with the slightly less capacious Mach-E), attack price for the entry-level versions and obviously, the segment. Regardless of the type of propulsion, the medium-large size sport utility coupes also represent one of the favorite types of cars for traveling and with the expensive fuel graph in full swing, choose the most functional engine to your needs, habits and geographical area. can result in significant savings for your wallet.

Before continuing with the numbers, it is important to underline that the data obtained in the different tests – all carried out daily with temperatures of about 20 degrees and along an itinerary consisting of 350km of motorway, 100km of mixed, 50km of urban contexts – are those recorded. from the on-board computer without the aid of external measuring tools. To comply with the uniformity criterion, each “trip” with the three different Sport Utilities powered by electricity, diesel and petrol was tackled with a driving style as uniform as possible, proceeding at a pace aligned with the maximum speed limit indicated by the signs. , and overtaking with decisive accelerations when necessary. In other words, we didn’t drive in an “economy-run” just to simulate everyday life where rushing is often the norm.

In doing the travel accounts in your pocket, you must then keep in mind that the actual disbursement for electric-powered cars presents some calculation difficulties due to the variable costs of energy in the home and in the different types of recharging. For example, 100km recharged in 10 minutes via the fast charge column can cost up to 20 euros while with a domestic socket and being able to leave the car stationary for about 24 hours, the same amount is sufficient for a full current.

For the test with the Mustang Mach-E Extended Range whose declared autonomy is 600km and the real one around 450km, we left fully charged after a recharge with a 10A type home plug. Calculating, given the increases, an average electricity price of 0.18kW, the total restoration of the range has an indicative cost of 18 euros. As with all Evs, the Mach-E range varies significantly depending on the driving style, the use or not of the air and the type of route. During our test, the 294 horsepower Mustang Mach-E consumed 24kWh / 100km on the highway; between 12kWh and 16kWh / 100km in the city and around 17-18kWh / 100km in the suburban mix. Having used a domestic socket to recharge the first 400km and an Ionity fast charge to add another 100km, the total cost for 500km of road was around 40 euros. For the record, using only the standard 22kWh alternating current columns and considering a price of 0.58kWh electricity, the indicative cost is around 15 euros per 100km which rises above 20 euros per 100km using direct current DC with power above 50kW.

The cost situation is obviously more linear when traveling powered by a mild-hybrid turbo diesel such as the proven power-unit under the Q5 Sportback 40 Tdi with four-wheel drive, where 204 horsepower and 400nm of torque guarantee a time of 7, 6 seconds in 0-100, excellent smooth running in all contexts and according to the results of our test, an overall average consumption of 7.2l / 100km. Calculating the current price of diesel (2 euros per liter in mid-June 2022), the total outlay to cover 500km with a Q5 Sportback S-Line is around 70 euros. In addition to the obvious advantage of being able to refuel in a few minutes and in multiple locations without experiencing autonomy anxieties, the advantages of Audi’s mild-hybrid diesel Tdi are manifold; the engine is not affected by the heavy foot on the accelerator and even with the slightest electrical input, the SUV coupe sails with each release of the gas, supporting a composed and in any case silent pace. While not drumming in the sprint, the power is adequate both for overtaking and in supporting the dynamic driving mode between curves. For those who need a long-distance-proof car, the latest generation mild-hybrid diesels offer the best balance between operating costs, performance and refueling times with the only real limitation being adverse regulations.

Although less reviled than diesel engines, petrol engines will also become objects of the past in the future and speaking of yesteryear sensations, the 5-liter V8 of the F-Pace SVR evokes endangered engines with a guttural sound and consumption. super sporty. The data declared by the English manufacturer for the SVR version of the sport utility are 11.9l / 100km on mixed roads. In the city you get to 16l / 100km and on the motorway you can get back to 10l / 100km. The powerful supercharged engine is affected by the driving style and with 680nm of torque within reach, 283km / h of maximum speed and 4 seconds in 0-100, it is really difficult not to exploit the speed qualities that represent its raison d’etre. Without exaggerating with the accelerations, at the end of our test the average consumption recorded by the on-board computer was 13.5gl / 100km which, calculating the current petrol price of 2.05 euros per liter, translates into 138 euros to drive 500 kilometres.