SYDNEY: ONE journey lasting 38 days, covering 18,830km and using a whole lot less fuel than expected has earned this couple a world record. Helen and John Taylor took their Volkswagen Passat around Australia in a figure-8 shape, ended it in Hobart this morning.
As part of a challenge set by fuel giant Caltex to show how behaviour can affect fuel efficiency, the Taylors managed to visit major cities, regional and rural areas and Uluru while using 25.5% less fuel per 100km than estimated by Volkswagen.
The car used Caltex Vortex 98 premium unleaded.
By Volkswagen’s estimates, the car should have used 19.5 tanks of petrol, but the Taylors managed to use less than 14.5 tanks.
It equates to an extra 331km extra per tank.
Mr Taylor said the specific fuel and a car service in Alice Springs kept the pair on track to break the world record.
”In 38 days we saved more than five tanks of petrol – imagine what you could do over 12 months!
“It has been an epic trip travelling across our breathtaking country and I loved being able to share the experience with my wife.
“The best part though was proving the benefits of combining fuel efficient driving techniques – like accelerating gently, ensuring tyres are properly inflated and avoiding idling – with regular servicing and the use of Caltex Vortex 98.”
Caltex Australia’s Executive General Manager Commercial Bruce Rosengarten said the giant partnered with the Taylors, who run FUELAcademy blog, to help customers use less fuel.
