Donn Anderson again proves his value as a go-to for eking best return from a Suzuki car.

A THRIFT ace who for years has undertaken economy runs to prove the parsimony of Suzuki products has again done the brand proud, this time with the latest Swift.

Suzuki New Zealand has shared that Donn Anderson, of Auckland, has seen results that better factory figures for the base Swift Hybrid GLS, in its manual and continuously variable transmission formats.

He saw just 3.3 litres per 100km economy - a 23 percent improvement on the factory-cited optimal overall fuel burn - from the CVT car then did even better with the manual, with 3L/100km occurring from a type that is rated to lend 4L/100km, a 25 percent improvement.

The testing saw the cars clock just 200 kilometres of driving, from Auckland and return, including some heavy traffic and road works. 

Anderson, formerly an editor of a national NZ car magazine, is a self-professed fan of driving modestly.

He has been involved in fuel economy events for more than 30 years and drove in record-breaking runs in Britain and New Zealand. 

Often such driving requires a technique called hyper miling, which asks for restriction to prescribed limitations proven to provision best chance of thrift. Accepted hyper miling techniques include free-wheeling and driving below posted limits, always with the air conditioning off.

Whanganui-based Suzuki New Zealand has used Anderson as its economy driver for many years, but always insists his findings are independent.

Four years ago Anderson achieved an average 4.2L/100kms in the third generation Swift mild Hybrid CVT automatic.

In sharing thoughts about the new car, he said he concentrated on decelerating as much as possible to conserve fuel and found the new, larger information screen a valuable asset in reducing fuel consumption.

His belief the model can achieve more than 1000 kilometres’ driving from its 37 litre fuel tank, assuming it “is driven moderately and with care” also potentially reflects his approach on this occasion.

In a press release issued by Suzuki NZ today, Anderson shared thought about there being worthwhile fuel economy improvements with the recently introduced 2024 model with its new Z12E three-cylinder, long stroke engine. 

It boasts a relatively high compression ratio of 13.9 to 1 and better thermal efficiency than the previous four-cylinder equivalent with an identical capacity of 1197cc.

The new power unit with variable valve technology and four valves per cylinder has fewer components, is lighter and has reduced friction losses. Suzuki says these elements all contribute to the outstanding fuel economy; as did the stop-start when the car came to a halt in the road works.

Anderson said he liked the action of the car’s integrated starter generator (ISG) that replaces a conventional alternator. It functions as a generator to restart the engine, provides electric motor assistance during acceleration and enables some regeneration under braking.