Global Green Challenge grows

More new-generation ‘real world’ cars will line up for the contest to show off low-emission credentials for alternative fuels in mainstream machines.

A growing list of mainstream manufacturers are expected to put cars into the revamped race, including Suzuki, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Toyota, BMW, Hyundai, Audi, Mercedes, Holden and Volvo, but none are detailing which models will be entered in the Eco Challenge section.

The new event has evolved from the biennial Solar Car Challenge and this year will have a wide cross-section of prototype and new-release cars from auto manufacturers that include hybrid, diesel, all-electric, alternative fuel and low-fuel consumption, low-emission petrol models.

The Global Green Challenge will start in Darwin and run 3000km to Adelaide, accompanied by the solar cars, but the challenge cars will then do an urban circuit in Adelaide.

The Global Green Challenge will be run by the South Australian Motor Sport Board and chief executive Jason Allen is expecting massive interest from the auto industry.

"The solar challenge always has provided a test for the latest in solar-power technology," he says. "But now the Global Green Challenge — by having a wide spread of auto makers and their alternative-fuel low-emission cars — will be of direct interest to Australian car buyers.

"The Global Green Challenge is very relevant because motorists will want to know about cars that use less oil-based fuel and those that run on alternative fuels.

"This event will be a practical, real-world contest for those types of cars.

"These vehicles will become a major part of the car fleet as people demand environmentally friendly vehicles and governments around the world legislate to reduce emissions."

Internet company Internode will sponsor this year's Global Green Challenge, which is also back by the NT and SA government - Internode's managing director Simon Hackett imported the first all-electric Tesla sports car into Australia and will drive it in the Challenge.

"We want to demonstrate it is possible to be green and high performance," he says.

GM Holden spokeswoman, Andrea Matthews, says Holden is keen to be an entrant - but was not yet revealing which model it would run.

Holden is developing a Commodore to run on 85 per cent ethanol fuel, as well as looking at diesel engines and the GM Volt electric car.

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