Volkswagen Passat sets economy record

A Passat BlueMotion driven by Sunday Times journalist Gavin Conway has set a new Guinness World Record for the distance travelled by a production passenger car on a single tank of fuel.

 

The attempt involved driving from Maidstone in Kent to the South of France and back.  The Passat BlueMotion finally ran out of fuel close to Calais after completing a distance of 1,526.63 miles – the equivalent of driving from London to Moscow or New York to Los Angeles without having to refuel.

 

The route mainly followed French autoroutes, but included some town driving, resulting in an average speed of just over 45 mph. The amount of fuel used was 77.25 litres, giving an overall fuel consumption of 90.0 mpg –substantially higher than the Passat’s claimed combined figure of 64.2 mpg. The resulting fuel cost for the journey works out at just 6.17p per mile travelled.

 

The Passat BlueMotion used for the record attempt was a standard production model, powered by a 1.6-litre common-rail TDI engine developing 105 PS. In common with Polo and Golf BlueMotion models, the Passat is fitted with aerodynamic modifications to the bodywork, a lower ride height, Stop-Start, programmed battery charging, longer gearing and low rolling resistance tyres.

 

The record-breaking feat was monitored by the AA for Guinness World Records.

 

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