A Honda Civic has set a new Guinness World Records title for the lowest fuel consumption for all cars in the 24 contiguous European Union countries, averaging 2.34L/100km over 13,419km.

IN A 25-DAY DRIVE across 24 countries in the European Union, a Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC has averaged 2.34L/100km across 13,419km setting a new Guinness World Records for the lowest fuel consumption in the EU. The distance travelled is roughly equivalent to driving from Australia to the UK and the total cost of fuel for the trip was approximately $957.

The team set out on their epic road trip from Aalst, Belgium, on Monday June 1^st, navigating the continent in a clockwise direction. One of the drivers, Fergal McGrath said: “It was tough, but we really enjoyed it, and setting this new Guinness World Records title has made all of the hard work worthwhile. This was a huge team effort so I’d like to thank everyone involved for all of their commitment and support. After spending so much time behind the wheel Julian and I are just happy to be back behind our desks for a while!”

Under the rules the same two drivers must be in the car for the whole journey, giving Fergal and Julian, Honda R&D colleagues of some 18 years and based in the UK, the challenge of driving an average of approximately 600-plus kilometres, taking around 7.5 hours, each day.

The Guinness World Records 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 had to be a standard model in every respect, with no modifications to create an advantage, to replicate ‘real world’ conditions. This 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 Honda, “The team, both amateur drivers, were also keen to show that through adopting some simple but very effective driving techniques, anybody could achieve such remarkable fuel economy. They simply used some very logical methods including careful and sensible route planning, driving smoothly and consistently without harsh acceleration or braking, anticipating the road conditions ahead, carrying no unnecessary weight, and ensuring that the car was correctly maintained at all times. Driving speed was always within the law and keeping up with traffic conditions”.