Driving a Volkswagen Passat TDI, John and Helen Taylor set a long distance record for traveling distance on a single tank of fuel. The Taylors managed an incredible 2,616.9 km (1626 miles) , smashing the previous record of 2,456.8 km set in a European version of the vehicle, a Volkswagen Passat 1.6 BlueMotion.
VW Passat 1.6 BlueMotion

The record-setting journey by the Australian couple covered three days, driving in the U.S., under ‘real world conditions’, according to the Taylors, and included 54.4 kg worth of luggage. Their average fuel economy over the course of their travels was 2.8L/100km. Of the trip, John Taylor said, “We’re excited to have broken the record for the longest distance driven on one-tank of fuel. The Passat TDI was the perfect car for the trip. It offers plenty of interior and cargo space, yet is frugal enough to help us achieve this record.”

The Taylors began their trek in Houston, Texas, ending in Sterling, Virginia, which resulted in a fuel economy of more than double the manufacturer’s estimated fuel economy for the Passat, which was a showroom-stock version provided by Volkswagen for the record attempt. The fuel capacity for the Taylor’s vehicle, as with the previous record-setting Passat was 18.5 gallons and was equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission.

John and Helen Taylor are noted for setting over 40 records in fuel-efficient driving over more than 30 years, since 1982. Said Mr. Taylor, “We work always as a team to achieve not only driving goals but in our marriage.”