AUDI completes new Guinness World Record of 14 countries on one tank of fuel in 28 hours.

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS confirms title after A6 TDI ultra is driven to 14 countries on a single tank of fuel 

• 14 countries and 1158.9 miles covered on one tank of diesel
• Audi A6 TDI ultra averaged 75.9mpg overall
• The #RecordRoadTrip began in Maastricht at 9.48am (GMT) on Tuesday 9 June and ended in Hungary at 12.44pm (GMT) on Wednesday 10 June
• 28 hours of driving completed almost non-stop by Andrew Frankel and Rebecca Jackson
• World record galvanises the Audi ultra philosophy of pioneering efficiency

Audi and the RAC have officially set a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title by driving to 14 countries on a single tank of fuel. The unmodified Audi A6 TDI ultra chosen for the challenge comfortably exceeded its official 67mpg-plus potential by averaging a remarkable 75.9mpg and completing a total of 1158.9 miles without the need for a fuel-stop.  

Motoring journalist Andrew Frankel and racing driver Rebecca Jackson drove the A6 TDI ultra almost non-stop for nearly 28 hours from the Netherlands to Hungary, passing through Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Austria, Germany, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia.

Commenting on the new record, Jon Zammett, Head of Audi UK Public Relations, said: “By covering so much of Europe on a single fill-up, we have proven that real-world economy of almost 76 mpg or more can be had from the latest engine technology. The Audi A6 TDI ultra has proven the range capability of one of the world’s most advanced executive cars."

Both drivers faced numerous challenges in their 28-hour driving adventure including diversions for both heavy traffic due to an accident and a closed tunnel which led to an unplanned mountain detour.

Andrew Frankel, respected newspaper car reviewer, said: “I’m delighted to be part of the team that has set this record and would like to think it will stand for some time as we eked out every last mile from the A6’s tank. From an endurance point of view the challenge actually proved to be far harder than both Rebecca and I imagined it would be.

“Despite sharing the driving we were on the road almost continuously for 28 hours, focused on maintaining an average speed of around 50mph. In order to do this you have to be fully aware of what’s going on around you and anticipate what could happen with the traffic ahead. While it was normal driving in one sense, it was also a very different type of driving, but nevertheless demanding.”

Racing driver Rebecca Jackson added: “I feel Andrew and I have helped the RAC and Audi set a record to be proud of. I’m known for driving pretty fast, but this challenge was naturally more about maintaining a constant, fuel-efficient speed and not being caught out by vehicles which would cause us to slow down and then accelerate to the optimum speed again. This was an amazing event and a very different long-distance driving challenge to what I’m doing next year when I compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2016.”

As the efficiency champion of the A6 range, the Audi A6 TDI ultra represents the pinnacle of the Vorsprung durch Technik brand’s absolute focus on maximisation of efficiency for extraordinary fuel economy and emissions, underpinned by a refusal to compromise on the hallmarks that define an Audi. The ‘ultra’ badge is also reserved for the most frugal A3, A4, A5, A7 Sportback and TT models, all of which are available to order now.

This new world record also proves just how capable the A6 ultra is of covering huge distances closer to home – in Britain, the same car could theoretically swallow whole the well known A3, A4, A5, A6, A7 and A8 arterial roads, again without a single fuel stop. If laid end-to-end, these key trunk roads, which sprawl southwards and westwards from the centre of London towards Southampton and Bristol, and radiate as far north as Glasgow, would stretch for 933 miles. The staggering potential range from its 73-litre fuel tank also puts any one of the 12 margins of Europe within  easy reach:

European cities within range of the A6 TDI ultra	Distance (in miles)
Zagreb	995
Warsaw	982
San Marino	915
Barcelona	895
Vienna	884
Monte Carlo	848
Andorra	783
Prague	757
Milan	701
Turin	731
Munich	684
Zurich	544

Honda to undertake 8,500 miles in a Civic Tourer to show it can achieve better than indicated fuel figures.

Honda will put the real-world fuel economy of its super-efficient 1.6 i-DTEC engine to the ultimate test in an 8,500mile drive across all 24 contiguous EU countries, with the aim of setting a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for fuel efficiency.

On Monday 1^st June 2015, two members of Honda’s European Research & Development (R&D) team will climb into a Honda Civic Tourer and set out on an epic journey from Aalst, Belgium. Heading towards the Netherlands and Germany, their trip will see them navigate the Continent in a clockwise direction, with the aim of returning to their starting point some 25 days later, on June 25^th, having covered a planned total of 8,459miles.

The GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title attempt comes on the back of several independent tests which have proven Honda’s 1.6 i-DTEC engine to consistently out-perform its quoted fuel efficiency in real-world driving conditions. Keen to once again underline this performance and in the challenging spirit for which the brand is famed, Honda aims to set a benchmark with a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title never before attempted in Europe.

Under the rules of the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title attempt, the same two drivers must be in the car for every kilometre of the journey. Step forward Honda R&D colleagues of some 18 years, Fergal McGrath and Julian Warren, based at Honda’s European manufacturing facility in Swindon, UK. The pair volunteered to take up the challenge and will be charged with driving an average 370miles, taking around 7.5 hours each day.

Fergal McGrath comments: “We are very much looking forward to the record attempt, and while we’re excited we’re both a little nervous about the scale of the task that awaits us. A huge amount of planning has gone into taking on this challenge and we look forward to what we hope will be a successful result when we return to Brussels on June 25^th. But we’ve got more than 170 hours behind the wheel to contend with first!”

The official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title is ‘Lowest Fuel Consumption – all 24 contiguous EU countries’, measured in litres per 100km and miles per gallon calculated over the entire journey. If successful the new record will apply to all cars, including hybrid and electric models. Based on strict and rigorous guidelines, the record attempt requires the car to enter each of the 24 countries specified, collecting a range of evidence including a fuel/mileage logbook, GPS readings, video, 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 has been fitted with a tracking device, provided by fleet telematics and stolen vehicle recovery expert, TRACKER (part of the Tantalum Corporation). The unit will provide a superior level of journey information, in real-time to ensure that Honda can supply robust and reliable automated data-evidence to meet the requirements stipulated by GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS.  Supporters will even be able to follow the progression of the two drivers live by visiting 

http://www.tracker.co.uk/RealFuelChallenge.

The car which attempts the record must be a standard model in every respect, with no modifications to give an advantage. This will be judged by an independent witness at the beginning and end of the record attempt. The car can only travel by road, therefore the route does not extend to the UK, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta, which make up the remainder of the 28 EU countries. In order to ensure no unfair advantage by reducing weight, the tank of the car must be filled to the maximum at each fuel stop.

Philip Crossman, Managing Director of Honda UK comments: “Since its launch in 2013 we have seen the 1.6 i-DTEC engine consistently over-perform on real-world fuel efficiency in our Civic, Civic Tourer and CR-V models, and this is our opportunity to put it to the ultimate test on a huge scale. We are very confident of a great result and we wish the team all the very best of luck as they take on the challenge.”

The 24 countries which are covered in the route, in alphabetical order, are as follows: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Follow Honda’s record attempt and get involved at #RealFuelChallenge.

Rolls Royce re-lives 1913 Alpine Trial

Final preparations are underway for the recreation of the 1913 Alpine Trial. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ Authorised Dealer in Essex, P&A Wood, is playing an essential role in ensuring cars are in perfect condition for what remains one of the automotive world’s most gruelling tests of endurance. 

Eight of the 40 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts participating in the rally, many over a century old, have been meticulously prepared by the dealership’s skilled technicians and craftspeople.  

Since its foundation in 1967, P&A Wood has established a reputation as one of the world’s leading restorers of Rolls-Royce motor cars. The company’s site is nestled in the beautiful Essex countryside and boasts a unique coachwork facility where much of the rally preparation work is taking place.

A new dedicated Rolls-Royce showroom will open in late summer providing a world-class showcase for contemporary Phantom, Ghost and Wraith models.

“P&A Wood plays a vital role in preserving the marque’s rich history whilst contributing significantly to the contemporary Rolls-Royce success story,” said James Crichton, Regional Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, Europe. He added: “Investment in a new dedicated Rolls-Royce showroom space is testament to a shared commitment to long-term sustainable growth and providing a sales and aftersales experience befitting the world’s leading super-luxury marque.”

On 14 June 2013, 40 Silver Ghosts will depart from Vienna, wafting through Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Italy before returning on 29 June. The faithful re-enactment celebrates the seminal 1913 Trials, a test of endurance that saw the Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost cement its reputation for faultless reliability – establishing the legend of the ‘Best Car in the World’.

The cars will tackle over 1,800 miles over some of the world’s most spectacular and challenging mountain passes.

P&A Wood’s motto; ‘Attention to Detail’ echoes the sentiments of Rolls-Royce founding father Sir Henry Royce who famously implored his staff to “Strive for perfection in everything you do”. This approach has earned them much success in concourse events across the globe – with over 100 awards won to date.

“This is an extraordinarily busy time for the workshop,” said Georgina Wood, P&A Wood. Adding: “Eight cars have been sent here from around the world for their final preparations, many of which over a century old. However, such is the enduring engineering integrity of a Rolls-Royce, I am certain they will negotiate the challenging Alpine roads as effortlessly as they did 100 years ago.”

The 2013 Alpine Trial Centenary Collection

Echoing events a century ago, a Rolls-Royce Works Team will take part in the rally. The original ‘James Radley’ 1913 Silver Ghost will be joined by a contemporary homage created by Bespoke designers and craftspeople at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England.

Finished in an exterior hue that takes inspiration from the Radley car, the 2013 Alpine Trial Centenary Ghost features exquisitely crafted Bespoke touches that elegantly tell the story of the 1913 Trial.

The clock displays the stages of the rally and timings, whilst inlays to rear picnic tables and the front fascia express the topography and distances of the Alpine route.

A hand-painted coachline referencing the four Rolls-Royce motor cars that took part in the rally and headlining, colour-matched to the hood of Radley’s car, completes a beautiful tribute.