// September 29th, 2011 // No Comments » // Cars, Travel, Vehicles
On the 12th of September, 2011, Kia Motors was awarded for setting a new Guinness World Record for the best fuel consumption. According to the Guinness World Record rules, the Kia Optima Hybrid Sedan was required to carry two people and their baggage across the 48 bordering states of the U.S. Chris Bernius of New York and Wayne Gerdes of Illinois took the wheel across the 7,899 mile distance, weaving in and out of all 48 states; they began their grand expedition in West Point, Georgia and finished up in Greenville, South Carolina.
The Kia Optima Hybrid Sedan flew past the minimum fuel consumption required of 52.27 miles per gallon by averaging the entire trip at 64.55 miles per gallon. The long trip only took Bernius and Gerdes 14 days on the road and about 5.5 tanks of fuel. They not only achieved a new Guinness World Record, but they also surpassed the sedan’s authorized EPA freeway petroleum consumption rate by more than 60 percent.
The two drivers were awarded with the official document for breaking the petroleum consumption record by Guinness Judge Philip Robertson at the executive service which was held on the 12th of September at Kia Motors in West Point, Georgia. The certificate formally named the record, “Lowest fuel consumption driving through all 48 contiguous U.S. states in a gasoline hybrid car,” which is definitely something that should make Kia Motors proud. Senior Vice President of Kia Motors Corporation, Thomas Oh, expressed, “Kia Motors is deeply proud to have set a new Guinness World Record. It is testament to the quality of the design, engineering and production methods of the Kia Optima Hybrid.”
If you ever wanted to easily set a Guinness World Record, you’ve missed your biggest chance. The two motorists talked about what a luxurious trip they had in the Kia Optima, saying it was the ideal car for the two-week journey. The roomy interior made for a relaxing and smooth ride, and the sedan surprised even the drivers with its incredible ability to save fuel.
The Optima Hybrid isn’t only ideal for highway driving. Without a blunder, the Optima Hybrid plowed through mountains, deserts and some of the most notorious traffic spots in the nation such as New York City and Chicago. The two drivers also effortlessly drove through boiling temperatures of over 115 degrees Fahrenheit all the way down to the freezing point of 32 degrees. If you’re looking for a comfortable ride with the lowest fuel consumption, it looks like the Kia Optima Hybrid could be your best bet.