Getting the greatest distance out of each fuel tank is a key factor in endurance races like the Bathurst 1000, and Murphy is a Bathurst master having won the event four times.
The Energywise Rally is intended to show New Zealand motorists how they can cut fuel bills by choosing a fuel-efficient car and driving it well.
Contestants in the November 24-27 event will drive a 1626km route throughout the North Island.
Murphy will join the rally on its second day after contesting the Australian V8 Supercar round in Tasmania.
Strong competition will come from Hans Tholstrup in a Hyundai i30. He holds fuel economy records in several countries.
Murphy will also face Glenn and Helen Johnston who want to drive the Honda Civic hybrid into the top spot for the second Energywise Rally in a row. They won in 2006.
AA technical services manager Stella Stocks says nearly all of New Zealand’s vehicle distributors have cars in the record 59-vehicle field – 31 diesels and 28 running on petrol. The smallest car entered is a one-litre Smart Fortwo, and the largest car is the 6.1-litre Holden HSV Maloo ute.
The government’s new BMW 730Ld diesel-powered luxury limousine has been entered, as have Subaru’s first diesels, an Outback and a Legacy.
