Husband and wife team John and Helen Taylor struck out from
Chantilly, Virginia today on a 23-day, 8000 mile loop around the 48
contiguous states in an attempt to break the Guiness World Record
for the lowest fuel consumption on a trip around the U.S. The
current record stands at 51.8 mpg.
This time, their weapon of choice is a brand new 2009 Volkswagen
Jetta TDI. The EPA rates the first 50-state-legal clean diesel at
29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway, though third-party tester AMCI was
able to do 38 mpg city and 44 mpg highway. The Taylors are
confident that their years of experience in frugal driving will
help them squeeze a few extra miles out of each gallon and take
home the record.
"It will be a great challenge and adventure to drive through the 48
U.S. mainland states," Helen said.... //
MotorTrend Magazine