LONDON: The Guinness World Records title for ‘Lowest fuel consumption – all 24 contiguous EU countries (all cars)’ has gone to the Honda Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC, which recorded an average consumption of 2.35 litres per 100km over the 13,497.6km journey.

The journey is similar to travelling from the Johor Causeway to the Bukit Kayu Hitam Immigration complex in Kedah (818km) - roughly 16 times, and stopping just nine times for diesel after averaging almost 1,500km per tank.

The duo from Honda’s European Research & Development (R&D) team, Fergal McGrath and Julian Warren, spent a total of £459 (RM2,800) on fuel alone .

They began their epic road trip on June 1 from Aalst, Belgium, in a clockwise direction, before returning to their start point on June 25 - noting that the rated fuel economy of 31.6km/L had been bettered by more than 25%.

The team adopted some a few but effective driving techniques that included route planning, smoothly and consistent driving without harsh acceleration or braking, anticipating road conditions ahead.

They also ensured that they were not carrying unnecessary weight, the car was correctly maintained, driving speed was always within the law and they also kept up with traffic conditions ahead.

The title-attempt required the car to enter each of the 24 countries specified, collecting a range of evidence including a fuel/mileage logbook, GPS readings, video and photographs and independent witness signatures to prove that it has done so.

To ensure accurate monitoring of the route, journey time and distance driven, the record car was fitted with a tracking device, provided by fleet telematics and stolen vehicle recovery expert, TRACKER (part of the Tantalum Corporation).

Under the rules of the record title attempt the car must be a standard model in every respect, with no modifications to create an advantage, to replicate ‘real world’ conditions and was judged by independent witnesses at the beginning and end of the attempt.

Fuelling was carried out at regular filling stations, with the tank filled to the maximum at each stop to ensure no weight advantage.

Additionally, tyres were inflated to the recommended pressures and the wheel alignment set to factory specification to represent the experience of the regular customer.

According to the rules, the same two drivers must be in the car for the whole journey, requiring McGrath and Warren to drive an average of 612km, taking around 7.5 hours, each day.

“The fuel economy figures are remarkable – particularly when you consider that this is not a small car, but an estate with class-leading load space and vast practicality,” said Honda head (cars) Leon Brannan.

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