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2009 VW TDI attempting to break lowest fuel consumption record

Posted September 5th, 2008 by RichC

John and Helen Taylor struck out from Chantilly, Virginia on Wednesday for a 23-day, 8,000-mile loop around the lower 48 states, trying to break the Guiness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption on a trip around the U.S. The couple, from Australia, already holds the Guinness Book record for getting the best fuel mileage in a long distance trip. The current record stands at 51.8 mpg which they achieve in 2006 on their older VW Golf TDI, but now they are attempting to beat that record driving a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI --  EPA rating of 40 mpg highway. Check out their Facebook page or website and wish them well.

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Update ... 58.58 mpg record

On September 30th, 2008 RichC says:

For the past few weeks, Volkswagen has been hyping a road trip. One couple, Helen and John Taylor, set off to cross the country in a new 2009 VW Jetta TDI and traveled across the lower 48 states in 20 days, covering 9,419 miles. Their diesel-powered Jetta returned an average of 58.82 mpg, which set a Guinness World Record (previously 51.58 mpg).

VW was a little miffed when the EPA rated its new TDI 30/41 mpg city/highway. Clearly the diesel engine is capable of more than that on the highway. One user on the EPA’s website rated their average mileage at 49 mpg in mostly highway driving. However, the Taylors have admitted that they employ added mileage-saving techniques, like watching their speed. We don’t know if that should be considered “real-world” testing.

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