Our very own Marc Bouchard and Bertrand Godin won the inaugural Rallye des énergies alternatives des Laurentides (alternative energy rally) that was held last year. However, the 2008 edition proved to be less memorable. The event was even bigger and more challenging, the team finishing in 11th place.
A total of 17 cars took part in this rally set up by Hydro-Quebec, CEVEQ and many of their partners. The course extended over 640 kilometers, from Alma, near Lac Saint-Jean, to Saint-Jerome, on the North shore of Montreal.
In order to finish first, teams had to follow a predetermined schedule and maintain a steady speed in specific sections of the rally. Meanwhile, they had to do their best to burn the least amount of fuel possible.
A French duo, winner of a similar event in Monaco, took home the trophy. Luc de Winter and his teammate Tchine managed the best time while not getting penalized. Also, their Honda Civic hybrid wound up with the second-best fuel economy average.
Actually, Honda had a terrific one-two punch, as another Civic achieved the best fuel economy rating. A pair of Toyota Priuses came in third and fourth, averaging under 4.3 liters per 100 kilometers.
As for Godin and Bouchard, representing Auto123.com, their lackluster performance was easy to explain: "We were driving a 2001 Honda Insight, one of the oldest hybrids still running. It features older technology and, above all, an underachieving engine. On rough roads like the ones we encountered in the Laurentides region, it all made for a higher fuel consumption," said Godin.
The team posted a 5.2L/100km average, which put them in 13th place. Another Insight, from Alma Honda, followed at 5.4L/100km.
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A total of 17 cars took part in this rally set up by Hydro-Quebec, CEVEQ and many of their partners. The course extended over 640 kilometers, from Alma, near Lac Saint-Jean, to Saint-Jerome, on the North shore of Montreal.
In order to finish first, teams had to follow a predetermined schedule and maintain a steady speed in specific sections of the rally. Meanwhile, they had to do their best to burn the least amount of fuel possible.
A French duo, winner of a similar event in Monaco, took home the trophy. Luc de Winter and his teammate Tchine managed the best time while not getting penalized. Also, their Honda Civic hybrid wound up with the second-best fuel economy average.
Actually, Honda had a terrific one-two punch, as another Civic achieved the best fuel economy rating. A pair of Toyota Priuses came in third and fourth, averaging under 4.3 liters per 100 kilometers.
As for Godin and Bouchard, representing Auto123.com, their lackluster performance was easy to explain: "We were driving a 2001 Honda Insight, one of the oldest hybrids still running. It features older technology and, above all, an underachieving engine. On rough roads like the ones we encountered in the Laurentides region, it all made for a higher fuel consumption," said Godin.
The team posted a 5.2L/100km average, which put them in 13th place. Another Insight, from Alma Honda, followed at 5.4L/100km.
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| Honda Civic Hybrid |