Guinness World Record of Fuel Economy

[larshell]

In a way, you'd almost expect the people who broke the world record for fuel economy to be a couple.

In April John and Helen Taylor drove their way to that very Guiness World Record, something you'd probably not imagine an speed-hungry alpha male doing.

It took them 78 days to cover 28,970km round the world, on 24 tanks of fuel. That's an average of 22.2km per litre, way past estimates by Volkswagen for the Golf FSI 1.6 they were driving, and probably higher than the mileage most drivers get.

The pair are in town to promote Shell's new Fuel Economy Formula, launched earlier this month.

They give credit to the Formula for the success, but also to the fuel-efficient driving practices the they adopted (dubbed "FuelStretch tips" by the oil giant).

The trip seemed to be worth the effort to them, even after being caught in a tornado. "That's the first time I saw her terrified," John said of wife Helen. This was among other challenges like negotiating languages and vehicle paperwork for 25 countries.

But it is not very surprising given their eagerness to break records (between them they hold 34 for fuel-economy alone), and they are just as eager to tell you how you can do it too, for example, through the workshops that they sometimes run. "You don't have to be a world champ to have good fuel economy," said John.

Their enthusiasm is also apparent as they are the founders of Record Breakers Singapore, a club that encourages Singaporeans to take up the challenge of record-breaking.

It's been almost 20 years since the Taylors themselves started their run of automotive records, and today record-breaking has become something of a lifestyle. But it isn't easy.

For the whole of their recent trip they were only allowed to break a single traffic rule, and were always chaperoned by a police officer, whom they suggested "went mad on milk shakes", and put on weight on his 110kg frame.

"That's five per cent fuel economy (lost)," John said cheekily.

It is clear that the couple have a head for numbers, rattling off mileage and distances like they were reading off a list.

Oldest car driven? Ford Falcon, 35 years old. 874km trip on a single tank, 270-400km per tank usually. Longest trip on a single tank? 1724km in a Peugeot 307.

But motorheads and geeks they are not. They seem to be a close couple, making jibes at one another during the interview, joking about John being there to "just carry the bags", or about Helen wishing that Brad Pitt was one of two men they saw running naked on their trip.

Perhaps that is the way you survive days together in a car, and they don't seem to be letting up. After raising their three children (who are now 18, 21 and 24 years old, and have each been on a record-breaking drive), they are now glad to have more quality time together to, you guessed it, set more records.

"It does become addictive to try to save fuel and get another 5km (mileage each time)," Helen said.

About the Shell Fuel Economy Formula

Launched here on Sept 7, the new formula builds on Shell's previous Better Mileage formula, and promises improved engine efficieny. It is offered in Shell Formula 98, 95 and 92 petrols at no extra cost. The formula contains the new Synthetic Viscous Friction Improver which Shell says improves engine cleanliness and reduces friction. They fuel was put to the test through the Shell Fuel Economy World Record challange, where John and Helen Taylor used it to set a new Guinness World Record for fuel efficiency.

http://motoring.asiaone.com.sg/motor...60929_001.html

[altec]

In a way, you'd almost expect the people who broke the world record for fuel economy to be a couple.

In April John and Helen Taylor drove their way to that very Guiness World Record, something you'd probably not imagine an speed-hungry alpha male doing.

It took them 78 days to cover 28,970km round the world, on 24 tanks of fuel. That's an average of 22.2km per litre, way past estimates by Volkswagen for the Golf FSI 1.6 they were driving, and probably higher than the mileage most drivers get.

The pair are in town to promote Shell's new Fuel Economy Formula, launched earlier this month.

http://motoring.asiaone.com.sg/motor...60929_001.html

The petron extra mile challenge reflected 1,400km travelled in one tank. Assuming a tank is 50 liters, that's 28km/liter! If 55 liters, that's still 25.45km/liter, still better than their 22.2 km/liter.

[Kikkomann]

Medyo malaki ata yung 50-liter tank capacity para doon sa Honda Jazz (na ginamit doon sa extra mile challenge).

Ewan ko lang ha, kasi pag nagpapa-gas ako (Lancer '97), kalahati na agad yung sa gasoline gauge * Php500.00. 13 liters++ something yung nandoon sa gasoline pump. So ang fulltank ko is somewhere bet. 26-28 liters.

[BlueBimmer]

1.6 engine ang golf e, shempre higher consumption. picanto o getz nalang ano hehehe

[mbeige]

The petron extra mile challenge reflected 1,400km travelled in one tank. Assuming a tank is 50 liters, that's 28km/liter! If 55 liters, that's still 25.45km/liter, still better than their 22.2 km/liter.

It was more like 42L for the Honda Jazz.

[altec]

It was more like 42L for the Honda Jazz.

Mas grabe pa tuloy ang fuel economy! It comes out 33.33km/liter

[niky]

22 km/l over varied terrains and conditions like that is pretty good for a 1.6.

Just imagine what they could've done with a 1 liter engine...

[safeorigin]

hehehe... ahem... sa tingin ko dapat pinoy ang may hawak nung world record for the highest fuel effeciency, tulad nung sabi nila kasi very obvious naman na mas mataas ang sa extra mile challenge kaysa sa present record.

AMEN??

[theveed]

I think Top Gear tested the Lupo dati umabot ng 90mpg yung diesel, yung gas mga 70mpg :P

Oh, who cares about Guiness these days? Kulang nalang largest booger, most eyeblinks in an hour, etc. papasok nila sa book.

[safeorigin]

oo nga at hindi na masyadong pinapansin, pero karangalan na rin kasi ung masali sa guinness record. it's a matter of national pride. ahihihihi.

ayaw mo nun sikat pilipino hindi lang sa pangungurakot. wahahaha