VAUXHALL's Zafira GSi turbo already the fastest MPV on Europe's roads has added another accolade to its non-stop list of awards.

It was the car that achieved the highest percentage improvement over the Government's official mpg figure in the annual RAC/Fleet World MPG Mileage Marathon.

The event took place over a 465-mile course with cars and vans from all major manufacturers taking part.

Zafira exceeded the official economy figure of 27.9 mpg by a staggering 59.14 per cent with an actual consumption figure of 44.4 mpg.

This is the second consecutive year in which Vauxhall has taken the economy title. In 2001 the VX220 sports car was the winner.

The mileage marathon again provides clear evidence that it is easily possible with the Vauxhall range to combine performance with economy.

In this year's two-day event, new Vauxhall Vivaro 1.9 DTi vans, in both short and long wheelbase, took on all comers to win their classes.

For vans with gross vehicle weight between 2401-2900 kg a short wheelbase Vivaro, driven by national van sales manager, Ian Hucker, returned a net mpg of 45.75, which translates into a winning 12.31 pence per tonne/mile.

A long wheelbase Vivaro driven by Phil Harwood from Vauxhall's vans brand team took the best consumption award in the class for vehicles over 2900kg with 42.94 mpg.

Mr Hucker said: "This was no easy Sunday afternoon sightseeing drive.

"We had to maintain an average speed of 28 mph in the van which is no easy feat anywhere but even more testing when the route was pretty tortuous."

Fleet World publisher, Ross Durkin, said: "There would be no point in running a serious economy event simply on motorways and dual carriageways.

"Our route planner ensured it was almost certainly more demanding than that which most cars and vans would expect to encounter during their daily journey.