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Optima Hybrid achieves an average of 64.55 miles per gallon during drive through the 48 contiguous U.S. states
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Drivers use just over 5.5 tanks of gasoline to complete 14-day, 7,899 mile trip across America
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Record for “Lowest fuel consumption, 48 U.S. states: gasoline hybrid car” verified by Guinness World Records adjudicator in ceremony at Kia’s U.S. manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia
(SEOUL) September 13, 2011 — Kia Motors is one of the automotive industry’s current fuel economy leaders and today the brand is celebrating the setting of a new Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption in a hybrid gasoline vehicle, while driving through all 48 adjoining U.S. states.
Drivers Wayne Gerdes from Wadsworth, Illinois, and Chris Bernius from New York City, successfully piloted a factory-standard 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid sedan through a 7,899 mile route across America and achieved an incredible average fuel consumption of 64.55 mpg US (3.64 l/100 km), beating the car’s official EPA highway fuel consumption figure by 61.37 per cent.
Kia’s 48 state challenge was completed in 14 days driving an average of 564 miles per day. The Optima Hybrid used just over 5.5 tanks of gasoline to complete the route, recording an average distance of 1,418 miles between fill-ups. To comply with Guinness World Record guidelines, the Optima Hybrid had to carry two people and their luggage throughout the journey.
The record attempt was verified by Philip Robertson, Adjudicator at Guinness World Records, who also presented the drivers with their Guinness World Record certificate at an official handover ceremony at Kia Motors’ manufacturing facility in West Point, Georgia on September 12.
