Honda sets new record for fuel efficiency

Honda has a set a new Guinness World Record for ‘Lowest fuel consumption – all 24 contiguous EU countries (all cars)’, with a Honda Civic Tourer, averaging 100.31mpg (2.81l/100km) over 8,387 miles.

The Civic Tourer used to set the record was equipped with the 1.6 i-DTEC diesel engine, which officially can achieve 74.3mpg on the combined cycle.  The 100.31mpg means the record has bested the official fuel consumption claim by more than 25%.

The car was driven by Honda’s European Research Development team across 24 EU countries, over a period of 25 days.  The road trip began in Aalst, Belgium on 1st June, travelling the continent in a clockwise direction, and ended on June 25 at their starting point. 

It’s not an easy task setting a record for Guinness World Records, as there are some strict rules to abide by.  Some of those rules include: the same two drivers being in the car for the whole journey; a fuel/mileage logbook is required; GPS readings are needed; video and photographs are needed; signatures of independent witnesses are needed; and a tracking device has to be fitted to the car. 

The car also has to be an unmodified standard model, which is judged by independent witnesses at the beginning and end of the journey.  The fuel tanks were filled to maximum at normal stations, while the pressure for the tyres and wheel alignment were set to recommended factory specs.

The car was driven for about 7.5 hours a day, at an approximate distance of 380 miles. On a single tank of fuel the car was able to achieve a said 932 miles, with a claimed cost of £459 for the entire journey.