A diesel-powered Honda Civic Tourer has set a new Guinness World Record for highest fuel efficiency. The Civic 1.6 i-DTEC was driven across all 24 EU contiguous countries in a span of 25 days, and managed to deliver an impressive 35.46kpl.

The trip started on June 1 from Aalst, Belgium, with the Civic returning to the starting point on June 25. The car was manned by two members of Honda’s European Research & Development (R&D) team – Fergal McGrath and Julian Warren— and the fuel efficiency figures achieved exceeded Honda's official claim of 26.32kpl by more than 25 percent. A full tank of diesel lasted an astounding 1,500km.

The feat required the car to enter each of the 24 countries specified, collecting a range of evidence including a fuel/mileage logbook, GPS readings, video and 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 was fitted with a tracking device.

As per the rules, the car had to be a standard model in every respect, with no modifications to create an advantage; this was judged by independent witnesses at the beginning and end of the attempt. Fuelling was carried out at regular filling stations, with the tank filled to the maximum at each stop to ensure no weight advantage. Additionally, tyres were inflated to the recommended pressures and the wheel alignment set to factory specification to represent the experience of the regular customer.