New Guinness world record: Golf TDI Clean Diesel attains lowest fuel consumption on 48-state tour of the USA

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Fuel consumption of 2.9 l/100 km betters previous record

Over the past 16 days, a Golf TDI Clean Diesel completed a classic among fuel economy test routes and earned a place in the Guinness Book of RecordsTM by averaging a previously unattainable low fuel consumption figure of 2.9 l/100 km.

The route through 48 states in the USA (except Alaska and Hawaii) is a unique tour and is considered a classic route for fuel economy test drives. The Golf TDI Clean Diesel covered a total of 8,233 miles (13,250 km) – and was monitored by Guinness World Records throughout the drive.

The driving team, made up of journalist and blogger Wayne Gerdes and engineer Bob Winger, only used 2.9 litres of fuel per 100 km, which equates to a fuel economy figure of 81 miles per US gallon. The previous record for non-hybrid vehicles was 77.9 miles per gallon. After its arrival at the headquarters of Volkswagen of America in Herndon, Gerdes said: “This result shows that by using the most advanced technologies in combination with a clever style of driving, it is possible to achieve significant further improvements in fuel economy and really impressive low fuel consumption figures.”

The Golf TDI Clean Diesel is sold in the USA and Canada. The 2.0-litre TDI engine has a power output of 110 kW / 150 PS, and its rated fuel economy is 45 miles per gallon (5.2 litres/100 km). The Golf TDI Clean Diesel also fulfils the most stringent emissions standards in the world: the LEV3 / TIER 3 standards in the USA.

In setting this fuel-saving record, the Golf obtained yet another award in the USA. In January, the compact car – which enjoys global popularity – was voted “North American Car of the Year” by an awards committee of 57 automotive journalists from the USA and Canada.