Automotive

World record 1,626 miles on one tank of diesel

World record 1,626 miles on one tank of diesel
A Loudoun County, Virginia Sheriff’s Deputy verifies the car’s mileage before removing the fuel tank seal
A Loudoun County, Virginia Sheriff’s Deputy verifies the car’s mileage before removing the fuel tank seal
View 4 Images
A Loudoun County, Virginia Sheriff’s Deputy verifies the car’s mileage before removing the fuel tank seal
1/4
A Loudoun County, Virginia Sheriff’s Deputy verifies the car’s mileage before removing the fuel tank seal
John and Helen Taylor beside the VW Passat they traveled 1,626.1 miles in on one tank of diesel
2/4
John and Helen Taylor beside the VW Passat they traveled 1,626.1 miles in on one tank of diesel
John Taylor fills up under the watchful eye of Houston law enforcement
3/4
John Taylor fills up under the watchful eye of Houston law enforcement
The world record mileage was verified by a Loudoun County Sheriff’s Deputy
4/4
The world record mileage was verified by a Loudoun County Sheriff’s Deputy
View gallery - 4 images

Apparently not happy with collecting over 40 world driving fuel economy records, the husband and wife team of John and Helen Taylor – also known as “the world’s most fuel efficient couple” – have been back on the road to claim the world record for the longest distance traveled on a single tank of fuel. The record 1,626.1 mile (2,616.95 km) journey was achieved in a stock 2012 Volkswagen Passat powered by a 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel inline four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission.

The Taylors’ three-day trip started from Houston, Texas, on May 3, and took them through nine states before the tank of ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel ran dry in Sterling, Virginia, on May 5. Over the three-day journey, they averaged 84.1 miles per gallon (2.79 L/100 km), and outdid the previous record of 1,526.6 miles (2,456.82 km) on a single tank of diesel achieved by a VW Passat 1.6 BlueMotion diesel in Europe.

In an effort to conduct the world record attempt under real world driving conditions, the couple packed 120 lbs (54.4 kg) of luggage and drove during daylight hours. They also took turns driving and traveled a maximum of 14 hours per day.

John and Helen Taylor beside the VW Passat they traveled 1,626.1 miles in on one tank of diesel
John and Helen Taylor beside the VW Passat they traveled 1,626.1 miles in on one tank of diesel

The Passat’s speedometer and odometer were calibrated by a state certified testing station in Houston, with law enforcement officers on hand to validate mileage, fuel fill-up, and gas tank sealing before the Taylor’s set out. Upon reaching Sterling, Virginia Sheriff’s Deputy verified the car’s mileage before removing the fuel tank seal.

A list of John and Helen’s latest driving records, along with tips to maximize fuel economy, can be seen on their Eco2Driving website.

Source: Volkswagen

View gallery - 4 images
36 comments
36 comments
Joel Detrow
It's a sure bet that self-driving cars will utilize hypermiling techniques even better than humans can, since not only will Google's flavor will be mapping the roads in 3D, but any vehicle controlled by a computer can adjust gear ratios and RPMs exactly to get the desired performance. Getting cars with 100MPG could be as simple as the right software, data-collection, and control systems, though better engineering can't hurt.
agulesin
Do John and Helen give "efficient driving" lessons? It's something we all need...
mrhuckfin
While note worthy my criticism is they must of only been driving 35 or 40 mph? Hardly real world driving on an American freeway or highway? My time is a little more valuable to me and if I took 3 whole days to drive 1600 miles I've got WAY to much time on my hands! That being said, good job VW for making an out of the box car that can do this. :-)
Rudy
Ford? Chevy? Dodge? Care to comment...???
Ct
They drove 1626 miles in a VW and not one break down. That's what is truly amazing.
Dawar Saify
And the car wasn't modified in any way? I don't understand, was this a normal standard car? What was there secret. Is this couple from some modding community?
Bob Andrews
Sorry, but this reminds me of people who claim to have bought $6 zillion worth of food at the supermarket, using coupons, for only $2.31.....what's the REAL secret behind the mileage here??
FollowTheFacts
I read all their tips – there is no way they would ever account for that kind of fuel efficiency... What they are describing is exactly how I drive already – with a KIA Spectra... I live and drive in Los Angeles, where all people are crazy or insane and where I am the only person driving in accordance with their tips – since years back and not from any lectures or advise from any source...it's all common sense... And it won't account for the fuel efficiency they report...there is something missing here... They describe....the way I drive! ...in a "stock Volkswagen" ...which they additionally burdened down...?? – ...no way...this is not believable....
Slowburn
My brother and I drove from Denver CO to Virgina Beach a 1,773 mile trip in about 25 hours on the road. So obviously we averaged about 71 mph.
Assuming 2 and a half days travel, 14 hours a day is 35 hours 1626 mile and a little calculation gives an average speed just under 46.5 mph. Not what I would call real world driving conditions.
wle
silly why not go twice as slow and get 120 or 150 mpg? wle
Load More