Favstocks gives details on the amazing feat by a standard production vehicle. The Passat Bluemotion set a Guinness World Record for “hypermiling”
Powered by a Volkswagen 1.6-liter common rail TDI engine developing 105 PS, the Passat BlueMotion used for the record attempt was a standard production model. In common with the Polo and Golf BlueMotion models, the Passat is fitted with aerodynamic modifications to the bodywork, a lower ride height, Stop/Start, programmed battery charging, longer gearing and low rolling resistance tyres. The result is a vehicle that is completely conventional to drive, service and maintain yet among the most efficient vehicles on the road today.
The Passat BlueMotion’s fuel tank was drained before the record breaking journey and filled with 77.25 liters (20.4 U.S. gallons) of standard forecourt diesel, resulting in an overall fuel consumption of 89.83 mpg (3.14 L/100km or 74.8 mpg U.S.). This substantially exceeds the Passat BlueMotion’s official combined figure of 64.2 mpg (4.4 L/100km or 53.45 mpg U.S.).
75 mpg with no battery risks and a significant amount of power, suitable for driving with loads and on highways. Diesel again proves it is the most viable option for efficient energy on the road.
Mobile magazine points out that…
…they were able to record a production car world record of 1,531 miles on a single 20-gallon tank of gas.
To put that in perspective, it means that you can effectively drive all the way from Seattle to Phoenix without ever visiting a gas station.
That is also the distance from Washington DC to Miami, Florida…on just 20 gallons of fuel.
A 2004 2.0 TDI Passat from VW gets 600 miles from a 15 gallon tank of gas (40mpg) so this means VW has engineered almost double the efficiency with diesel for production cars in just six years.
During the same time the much-hyped (and sometimes panned for safety flaws) Toyota Prius hybrid actually has been found to decrease in average efficiency (from 41mpg down to to 37mpg).
When I see a hybrid on the road I often think of a comment from Vinod Khosla last year that keeps popping up:
You can reduce more carbon painting your roof white than by buying a Prius.
Even better, paint your roof and get a clean diesel.
Edited to add: I wrote to VW directly and asked about availability of this car in the US. Their answer is…
The current Passat Sedan and Passat Wagon will phased out for the 2011 model year to make room for Volkswagen’s new midsize sedan, which will begin production in Chattanooga, Tennessee later next year. At this time, no further details are available regarding engine availability or other features.