LEGAL

WORLDWIDE HARMONIZED LIGHT VEHICLE TEST PROCEDURE

The new test method for fuel economy and emissions.

Since the 1980s, European new car emissions and fuel economy tests have been carried out using the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). From 1 September 2017, a new test has been introduced, the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP), to give both car buyers and owners a more realistic understanding of a car's performance.

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NEDC TO WLTP: WHAT’S CHANGING?

With advances in vehicle technology and changes in driving conditions, the near-40-year-old NEDC driving cycle test is being replaced. To give you a more accurate way of calculating and comparing a car’s fuel consumption and emissions, the new WLTP test introduces more realistic testing conditions, so that lab measurements better reflect the on-road performance of a car.

HERE’S WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE WLTP TESTS:

Test Cycle

Dynamic tests which are more representative of real-driving behaviour.

Driving Phases

More dynamic phases: 52% urban and 48% non-urban.

Average & Maximum Speeds

Average speed is 46.5km/h (an increase of 12.5km/h) while top speed is raised to 131km/h.

Gear Shifts

Each vehicle has different, rather than fixed, gear shift points.
Cycle Time

Test lasts 30 minutes, an increase of 10 minutes.

Cycle Distance

23.25 kilometres long, over twice the old distance.

Optional Equipment

Additional vehicle options (impacting CO2 and consumption) are taken into account.

Test Temperatures

Measurements now taken at 23°C (and CO2 values corrected to 14°C) vs 20-30 °C.

INTRODUCING GREATER CLARITY

Between September 2017 and September 2018, all new cars will have to conform to the WLTP test procedure (light commercial vehicles follow one year later). For Lexus, the first model to be certified under WLTP is the RC F, in Q4 2017.

At Lexus, we welcome the change to WLTP, which will provide our customers with a more accurate basis for calculating fuel economy and emissions. As a leader in clean mobility, we have spent decades researching how to make vehicles that are kinder to the environment, producing technologies such as hybrid that have proved their value in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and helping the move towards a low carbon society.

“HYBRID IS THE BACKBONE OF OUR POWERTRAIN PROGRAMME.”

Dr. Johan Van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe

EVERYDAY TESTS, REALISTIC RESULTS

The new WLTP tests will ensure that lab measurements now better reflect the situations you will experience in everyday life. This means that fuel consumption and emissions values displayed for new cars are a far better representation of what you are actually likely to achieve.