Good clean driving fun!

This time we were treated to a sumptuous Peranakan cuisine that tickled our taste buds with spicy recipes. And with our tummies filled, we were off to the Casa Del Rio Hotel to change to our gym shorts!

We left the vehicles at the hotel and headed off to the other ‘eco’ challenge prepared for us. Besides clean diesel energy, one of the next best alternatives to lowering carbon emissions is cycling!

As a cycling enthusiast myself, the 15 kilometre mountain bike trail through the quiet towns and palm plantations was one of the best moments I’ve had on two wheels. Tough as it was to keep a good cadence in the afternoon heat, it was still an enjoyable ride. Though the heat did get to a few of the other journalists on the trail.

Our destination was a lake that was largely undisturbed by man. And what a sight it was to see the Volkswagen Sharan (part of our convoy) at the end of the trail bringing cold drinks and curry puffs to our aid!

After freshening up at the hotel, we were off to sample more local cuisine at a famous Teochew restaurant that served up some of the best dishes we’ve had all day. We made sure all the exercise we did on the mountain bike trail was effectively neutralised by dinner’s end.

At dinner, the winners of the eco challenge was announced. The Passat team that consisted of Joel (from Burnpavement) and Sheldon (from Evo) won the challenge. Coming closest to the manufacturer’s figure of 5.2 litres/100km by achieving 5.3 litres!

The next day, after another great meal at a humble family Teochew restaurant, we regrouped in the convoy and headed back to Singapore.

Despite the over 500 kilometres covered in these diesel cars, not one of them needed refilling while we were up North. Yes, we drove to Malacca and back on a single tank with another quarter to spare.

It is true that Malaysian diesel’s high sulphur content is unsuitable for local diesel cars. But with a theoretical range of over 1000 kilometres, you could drive the distance to Kuala Lumpur and back without ever visiting a refuelling station.

With a diesel powered SUV like the Tiguan, you’ll be spending less time at the station and more time doing what it was designed to do. Driving!

Credits: Text and Photos by Benjamin G. Kline