From Hanover to Zell am See-Kaprun on as little as 22 litres

Clemens Krause is a dyed-in-the-wool fan of the smart times, which were staged in Zell am See-Kaprun last weekend for the third time in a row: 'A great event against the backdrop of a beautiful landscape.' Of course, the long-standing smart driver would not let slip the opportunity to participate in this year's smart meeting, which is unequalled in Europe. He covered the 840 kilometres between Hanover and Zell am See in his smart Cabrio. But instead of flooring the pedal, Krause decided to travel close to the lower limit: he planned on making the journey on one tankful of petrol only!

Almost impossible! After all, the tank of the small city car does not hold more than 22 litres. And in the end, Krause did not travel any faster than 95 kph, always in the right lane among hundreds of lorries. The journey took him eleven hours - eleven hours without fan, air condition or radio - just to save fuel. But why did he practise such an ascetic way of driving? You could say the experiment was an attempt at protecting the environment including the beautiful nature of Zell am See-Kaprun, the destination of more than 2,000 smart fans! 'I wanted to point the way and show what is possible with a smart', Krause says. And indeed, his smart proved to be very fuel-saving even though it is already one of the older models.

When at about 3 pm Krause reached Zell am See-Kaprun, he had not had to stop to refuel even once. The 22 litres would even have taken him 50 kilometres further. It is really amazing: his smart only consumed 2.57 litres per 100 kilometres; and the coupé of Hans Windelen, Krause's friend, who accompanied him on his journey from Hanover to Zell, was even more economical at just 2.53 litres. Just as a precaution Krause travelled with a filled fuelcanister. But not only could he afford to do without refuelling, he even opened the soft top on the last 50 kilometres.

'A true pioneering venture', agrees Rainer Edlinger, who works in the marketing department of the tourism association of Zell am See-Kaprun and is responsible for the field of New Media. He welcomed the record driver at his destination and congratulated him on his amazing performance. 'Even the increasing price of petrol cannot stop people from coming to Zell am See-Kaprun', he says with a twinkle in his eye. Edlinger went to see for himself that there was nothing fishy about this extraordinary record. Before the watchful eyes of many spectators and camera teams, he detached the seal which had been applied to the fuel tank by the German technical inspection association TÜV back in Hanover.

After this journey Krause could enjoy the smart times to the full. Now he even thinks about having his triumph entered into the Guinness Book of Records. 'I definitely think there is a potential', says Krause. To be mentioned would not only be an acknowledgement of his performance but also a little consolation for eleven hours on the road. 'It was kind of tough to be patient for such a long time.' After all he really likes to come to Zell am See-Kaprun - the faster the better.

For more information on the smart times 2008 and further interesting topics about Zell am See-Kaprun please visit the press lounge of the region at presse.zellamsee-kaprun.com on the Internet.

Contact within the region
Guest Service Zell am See-Kaprun
Brucker Bundesstr. 1a
5700 Zell am See
Austria
Phone +43 (0)6542 - 770 0
welcome(at)zellamsee-kaprun.com
http://www.zellamsee-kaprun.com

Press contact
knoefler-journalist . media + communications GmbH
Mr. Benjamin Knöfler
Nordring 53-55
63843 Niedernberg
Deutschland
Phone +49 (0)6028 - 80729 0
zellkaprun(at)kj-media.com
http://www.knoefler-journalist.com

The holiday region of Zell am See-Kaprun with its 14,000 beds and two million overnight stays per year is one of the most important holiday destinations in Austria. The beautiful flora and fauna in the Alpine panorama and Lake Zell guarantee relaxation and well-being. Golfing, hiking, and bathing are at the focus for the summer time programme, but visitors can choose from more than 40 other activities as well. During the cold season, fun on skis and boards make sure that there is no dull moment. Skiers can comfortably reach the 136 kilometres of slopes covered with powder snow by one of the 56 lifts. Snowboarders enjoy the perfect conditions of the Snowpark on the 2,600-metre-high glacier plateau. Even in the summer you can swish down the slopes here. And family-friendliness is a top priority in Zell am See and Kaprun. For this reason, the region has already received various awards.

This release was published on openPR.