[2020 Akyung Fuel Efficiency King] The Secret to Fuel Efficiency King is "Low RPM Shifting... Maintaining Inertial Driving"

[Asia Economy Reporter Su-yeon Woo] The 13th Energy Efficiency King has been crowned at the Asia Economy Energy Efficiency King Competition, which selects the best eco-friendly driver in South Korea.

On the 14th, at the Korea Expressway Corporation Metropolitan Area Headquarters located at Seo Hanam IC, Kim Oh-young (52) won the grand prize at the '13th Asia Economy Energy Efficiency King Competition.'

Kim participated driving a 2005 Audi A4 2.0 TDI (S line, manual), purchased in 2018, becoming the champion of the 13th Energy Efficiency King. The fuel efficiency measurement showed that Kim achieved an astonishing 31.3 km per liter (ℓ) of diesel. This is a 4.8 times (489%) improvement compared to the official fuel efficiency of the vehicle model.

This was Kim's first time participating in the Asia Economy Energy Efficiency King Competition, and he took the championship. He revealed that the secret to his fuel efficiency was shifting gears at low RPM to maximize fuel economy. Additionally, he explained that he practiced inertial driving by minimizing brake use while understanding the overall traffic flow. Being very interested in cars, he also emphasized that he never neglected regular vehicle maintenance.

Kim said, "Shifting at a low RPM in the early 1000s was crucial," adding, "Since increasing the engine's revolutions consumes more fuel, I adjusted gear shifts accordingly."

He added, "I have always been interested in fuel-efficient driving and took good care of the vehicle, including managing various chemicals. Minimizing brake use through inertial driving was another key to success."

The 13th Asia Economy Fuel Efficiency King Competition was held on the 14th at the Korea Expressway Corporation Metropolitan Headquarters in Hanam-si, Gyeonggi-do. Kim Oh-young, who won the overall championship in the competition, is posing in front of his vehicle. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

This year's competition covered a total distance of 106.4 km (approximately 90 minutes at 70 km/h). The course started from Seo Hanam IC, passing Hanam JCT, Dong Seoul TG, Hobeop JCT, turning around at Deokpyeong Rest Area, then passing Singal JCT, Seoul TG, Pangyo JCT, Seongnam TG, and returning to Seo Hanam IC.

For fair judging, the competition was divided by vehicle type and engine displacement. The participant categories were divided into six groups for fair evaluation: ▲ Domestic gasoline passenger cars over 2000CC ▲ Domestic gasoline passenger cars 1600CC to 2000CC ▲ Domestic gasoline passenger cars under 1600CC ▲ Domestic RV & SUV diesel ▲ Imported gasoline cars ▲ Imported diesel cars.

Kim, who won the grand prize, received a fuel gift certificate worth 1 million KRW and souvenirs. Group winners Jeong Se-hoon, Jo Byung-rae, Yoon Jun-ho, Seo Jeong-su, Choi Yong-seok, and Ye Seong-hoon each received fuel gift certificates worth 500,000 KRW.

Professor Kim Pil-soo of Daelim University’s Department of Automotive Engineering, who participated as a judge, said, "The winner was selected from participants who recorded over 300% of the official fuel efficiency, but this year, a record exceeding 400% was achieved. It is encouraging that participants' records are improving as the competition progresses."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.