Lowest fuel consumption across the US-world
record set by John and Helen Taylor
HERNDON, Va--John and Helen Taylor, "the world's
most fuel efficient couple", drove their diesel Volkswagen
Jetta TDI, fueled by Shell Ultra Low Sulfur diesel
fuel during their 20 day trip across the 48 contiguous United
States, veraging 58.82 miles to the gallon and setting the
world record for the lowest
fuel consumption across the 48 contiguous United States.
Photo: Volkswagen's All-New Clean Diesel
Jetta TDI Sets New World Record for Lowest Fuel Consumption
at 58.82 MPG / photo Volkswagen of America, Inc. (enlarge
photo)
"We are very excited and grateful to have
broken the current World Record for lowest fuel consumption
across the 48 contiguous United States," said Helen Taylor.
"We would like to thank Volkswagen
for providing us their new clean diesel Jetta that helped
us get another World Record for the Lowest
fuel consumption across US and to Shell for supplying
the diesel fuel." They set their world record by simply applying
easy to use
fuel saving tips and the latest efficient engine technology
available for good clean diesel fun.
The Taylor’s car ran exclusively on fuel containing
Shell's
new Fuel Economy Formula which contains a Synthetic
Viscous Friction Improver, formulated to help reduce friction
right at the heart of the engine, helping minimise energy
waste.
The previous World Record for the Lowest
fuel consumption across US was 51.58 miles per gallon
and the Taylors broke it by setting a new record of 58.82
miles per gallon, a whopping 14 percent improvement.
In 20 days, driving across 48 states the Taylors
drove 9,419 miles, exceeding 60 mpg on several legs of the
record-setting run, spending only 6.9 cents per mile (total
was $653).
"It
was a great adventure to drive through the 48 U.S. mainland
states," Helen Taylor says.
Photo:"We want to educate the American public
that by choosing the right car, using the right fuel and adopting
fuel-saving techniques, everyone in the U.S. can save money,
fuel and reduce carbon emissions."
Photo by Volkswagen
(enlarge
photo)
"The terrain was very diverse, the weather
less than ideal, and the traffic heavy at rush hour and the
VW
Jetta TDI handled it all beautifully, showing its
fuel efficiency and its fun-to-drive dynamic capability, just
two of this vehicle's many attributes," said John Taylor.
"The car efficiently helped us to drive to a fuel
economy world record."
Approximately 12 official check-in and refueling
stops across the country were included throughout the duration
of the drive. The couple drove on a counter-clockwise route
passing through: Washington D.C.; New York City, Rutland,
Vermont; Toledo, Ohio; Des Moines, Iowa; Spearfish, S.D.;
Missoula, Mont.; Winnemucca, Nev.; Santa Monica, Calif.; Durango,
Colo.; Oklahoma City, Okla.; Mount Vernon, Ill.; Ponchatoula,
La.; and, Beckley, W.V. Some of the fuel saving tips the Taylors
advocate include: avoiding idling and higher speeds, minimizing
vehicle drag and performing regular vehicle maintenance.
The Taylors have made a 26-year career out of
driving economically and conducting workshops globally on
fuel-efficient driving techniques. They have collected 82
world fuel economy and vehicle-related records from drives
around the globe in Australia, Asia, South Africa, Europe,
the Middle East and North America.
