The Volkswagen Passat Set World Record for Longest Distance on One Tank of Clean Diesel Fuel
We always knew the Passat was awesome- great styling, sweet performance, marked reliability and safety- but the Passat’s awesomeness has officially risen to a whole new level. It can now boast the absolute best in fuel consumption since its traveled the longest distance on one tank of gas- and it was Clean Deisel Fuel to boot!
John and Helen Taylor has the idea to break the record for the farthest distance traveled on a single tank of fuel. The outcome? A new record of 1626.1 miles, achieved on one tank of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel under real world driving conditions. That’s 99.5 miles better than the old mark.
They decided to attempt the record in the U.S. with a stock 2012 Volkswagen Passat SE TDI Clean Diesel vehicle equipped with a six-speed manual transmission. The previous record for the most miles covered on a single tank of diesel was 1526.6 miles, achieved with a VW Passat 1.6 BlueMotion(R) diesel in Europe.
Driving through nine states over the course of three days, the couple averaged 84.1 miles per gallon, spending only 4.65 cents per mile. The drive started May 3, 2012 in Houston, TX and ended on May 5, 2012 in Sterling, Virginia.
The Passat’s 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel inline four-cylinder engine produces 140 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque and with a manual transmission delivers an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 43 mpg on the highway. The Volkswagen TDI engine is equipped with a Selective Catalytic Reduction System (SCR) that fulfills emissions requirements in all 50 states. The Passat — built at the world’s only LEED Platinum certified automotive factory in Chattanooga, TN — was named Motor Trend’s 2012 Car of the Year.
Before the drive began, the speedometer and odometer were calibrated by a state certified testing station and law enforcement officers in Houston, Texas oversaw validation of mileage, fuel fill-up, and gas tank sealing at the beginning of the drive. A Loudoun County, Virginia Sheriff’s Deputy verified completion of the drive and mileage prior to removing the fuel tank seal.
The Taylors have made a career out of driving efficiently and conducting workshops globally on fuel-efficient driving techniques. They have collected more than 90 world fuel economy and vehicle-related records from drives around the globe.
For more information about The Volkswagen Passat please visit your Colorado Volkswagen dealer, McDonald Volkswagen, at 6000 S. Broadway in Littleton or online at www.mcdonaldvw.com.
