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

AUDI to attempt another world record in the A6 TDi Ultra, can it go to 1000 miles, or more ?

• Guinness World Records™ title attempt to drive to the most countries on a single tank of fuel starts from Netherlands tomorrow (June 9)
• Collaboration between Audi and RAC using 67mpg-plus A6 2.0 TDI ultra
• Ambition is over 1,000 miles on a single tank of fuel costing as little as £88* (€123)
• Motoring journalist Andrew Frankel and racing driver/TV presenter Rebecca Jackson will bring their driving skill and experience to bear in pursuit of title

Mile-devouring fuel economy is likely to be a key consideration for most drivers of the 67mpg Audi A6 TDI ultra, but on this occasion it is nothing short of crucial because a Guinness World Records™ title attempt depends on it.  

Tomorrow (Tuesday June 9) the efficiency flagship of the A6 range will set off on a Record Road Trip (#RecordRoadTrip) to secure the title for the greatest number of countries driven to on one tank of fuel. 

The project is being masterminded by the RAC, and the organisation is banking on the Audi ultra concept and the innovations in lightweight construction, engineering and driver assistance technology that underpin it to deliver the desired result. 

It has also enlisted the considerable expertise of motoring journalist Andrew Frankel and racing driver Rebecca Jackson to complement the car with some skilful and judicious use of the controls.

As ferry or rail Channel crossings would invalidate the title attempt the Record Road Trip will begin in Maastricht in the Netherlands, and will continue through Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Austria, Germany and Italy towards the Balkans.

The route has been carefully planned to avoid the economy-sapping effects of congested towns and cities, motorways and mountainous regions. Andrew and Rebecca will drive almost continuously, and will employ every technique at their disposal to use as little fuel as possible and maximise their all-important miles-per-gallon figure.

Completely unmodified

A familiar sight on continent-crossing excursions, the Audi A6 ultra was chosen by the RAC for the record-setting adventure because of its excellent fuel economy and large 73-litre tank, but also because it demands no compromises on space, comfort and equipment in return for its outstanding economy, which is delivered with CO₂ emissions of as little as 109g/km. 

Apart from its distinctive body wrap the record car will be identical in every respect to any other A6 ultra en route.

Commenting on the challenging expedition, Jon Zammett, Head of Audi UK Public Relations, said: “At a time when MPG is a top priority we are using an A6 ultra to set a new world record, using real world parameters. It’s truly astounding how efficient our executive car can be in normal use, and our aim to cover over 1,000 miles across Europe on a single fill-up costing as little as £88* (€123) will really hammer this point home.”

RAC Road Trip coordinator Simon Williams said: “We’re confident the combination of two skilled drivers, a highly fuel efficient Audi A6 ultra and a route that takes in the most possible countries in the least fuel-taxing way will lead to a hard-to-beat record that covers at least 10 countries, hopefully more.”

Available as a Saloon or Avant and with either manual or S tronic twin-clutch transmissions, the A6 ultra forms part of a range of ultra models which epitomise the all-pervading Audi focus on efficiency. Its most recent entrant is the A3 1.6 TDI ultra combining 80.3mpg capability with CO₂ emissions of just 89g/km.

The Record Road Trip’s progress can be followed at: www.recordroadtrip.com or via Twitter: @recordroadtrip#recordroadtrip

* Based on Experian Catalist average diesel price of 120.65p on 20 May 2015