FUEL RESULTS Much to our surprise, we could not beat
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EAS. The fuel returns from our initial two laps were as we had expected. The first EPS (manual) run delivered the slowest time and lowest fuel consumption-6.59mpg/38.8mph. The 1843's relatively poor consumption is a result of the lousy weather and the stop/start national route return leg.
By the end of the second lap EAS had boosted fuel economy by just under 3% to 6.78mpg and at a faster average of 41.4mph. Then it was back to manual with EPS and all to play for. The resuP Mortification, as we finished with 6.62mpg at 401mph. So what went wrong?
The fact is EAS has a lot going for it. Not least in terms of journey times. The electronic integration of the Teliigent gearbox, exhaust brake and KonstantDrossel (constant-throttle) compression brake creates a highly effective downhill speed control—with EPS you have to dolt all yoursetf in operation the exhaust brake/KO lever on the right of the steering column is choked down two stops, then the stalk is pushed away when the required speed is reached. EAS then does the rest—automatically selecting the best gear and engine revs for maximum back-pressure and retardation to hold your chosen downhill speed.
Consequently we were able to tackle the long descents on the autobahn section down to Karlsruhe just that little bit faster which helped us use less fuel climbing the other side.
Likewise, where we didn't have cruise control with EPS we did with EAS, and we know that cruise control helps deliver good economy on the motorway.
Of course the real asset of EAS is that it never gets tired, never loses concentration, is never grumpy and handles whatever you throw at it each time, unlike driving in manual, where economy is a priority and you have to stay on the ball for every shift—so tiring in busy traffic.