The fuel efficiency tests were conducted in the most popular small car category comprising of three participants, the likes of - the Hyundai Santro, the Daewoo Matiz and the Maruti Zen, to ascertain efficiency levels of these vehicles in city driving conditions.

The test results have confirmed that the world leading Daewoo Matiz is the best performer on parameters of fuel efficiency in the small car segment. The Matiz beat its nearest rivals giving an average of 13.7222 km per litre. It was followed by the Hyundai Santro and the Maruti Zen who recorded 13.270 and 12.95 km per litre in average respectively. The results obtained were for a course distance of 153 km in perfectly average city conditions and normal levels ofcity of traffic.

The cars were supposedly driven in a convoy thrice around Delhi on the Ring Road. Doing one loop in the Moolchand Ashram - ITO direction and two rounds in the Moolochand - Dhaula Kuan directio. The distance run was calculated on the basis of a test run done, using a car with a Halda Meter and established to be a shade under 51 km per lap. All 3 vehicles incidentally ran the same distance.

Importantly, this unique test was devised with the objective of a test-drive over conditions that are those which every vehicle user actually experiences. And hence, was not an economy drive where the "best possible conditions" were maintained.

To ensure that each vehicle in the test drive had a fair chance PLFM's test ensured that each of the cars was first inspected to check its compliance with each manufacturer's specifications.

Consent of all manufacturers was taken at every stage and each car was driven once by the three drivers to even out driving styles.