Article from Skoda-Auto site..........

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Record drive from Shanghai to Beijing - 12/13/2011

Rally driver and stunt director Li Zhi drove a ŠKODA Superb 1.4 TSI DSG more than 1200 km on regular road on less than one tank filling. Fuel consumption during special long distance drive of not even 4.5 litres/100 km. ŠKODA Superb 1.4 TSI DSG opened a new page in record drive history for B-class cars: It was the first time ever a car was driven from Shanghai to Beijing with less than one tank filling. Before the start, the tank of 60 liter capacity was sealed in Shanghai in the presence of two official lawyers. The record was done under normal conditions on a public highway. The car was regular customer car. Driver of the ŠKODA´s flagship was popular stunt director Li Zhi. He drove to Beijing with the consumption result of not even 4.5 litres/100 km, which proved the outstanding energy saving technique of ŠKODA Superb. With 1.4 TSI DSG, the Superb is one of only a few B-class cars fulfilling new EEP policy (Environmental Economic Policies), which is subsidized with 3,000 RMB.

After arrival in Beijing, ŠKODA China President Dr. Gerrit A. Marx said: “ŠKODA is a company that cares for the environment. The primary goal is to offer efficient technology in all of our models at affordable prices.” The Superb 1.4 TSI DSG offering a lot of space for all passengers and a 96 kW engine showed what can be achieved by combining optimized technology with economy driving. “Of course the low consumption is proof of the quality of our Superb, but it is also evidence for the great infrastructure in China and the importance of the driver with more than ten percent consumption in his right foot”, Marx said.

The record combined long-distance driving with comfort and low consumption. “Seldom have I driven such a long distance in such a comfortable and economical way,” said Li Zhi. Excellent quality, comfortable space, elegant design, all around security and a well-balanced price value ratio make the Superb the flagship model of the ŠKODA brand not only in China. Gerhard Plattner, multiple record holder, who already has three entries in the “Guinness Book Of Records” in economic driving for Volkswagen and ŠKODA brands and was a companion on this first Shanghai-Beijing drive stressed: “The Superb is a prime example of fuel-efficient driving. Not only it is important for one’s own wallet; everybody is responsible for the environment and saving resources. With a fuel consumption well below the specified norm, we want to show that besides the car manufacturers, every driver can contribute to further reduce environmental pollution.”

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Thats over 56mpg.

That must have been a fun filled drive ,and taken nearly a whole day....

Thats over 56mpg.

That must have been a fun filled drive ,and taken nearly a whole day....

Yes it is 9% better than the Extra Urban figure for the manual 1.4 TSI, I do not know the Extra Urban for the 1.4 TSI DSG as it is not available in Europe as far as I know. The 1.4 TSI/DSG match does not appear to give better fuel consumption than the manual going by the Octavia figures, it is only when the 7 speed DSG is matched to the 1.8 TSI does the auto box do better than the 6 speed manual.

I suspect he "draughted" trucks and maintained around 50-55 mph as Chinese roads are similar to ours in speed limits. So yes I suspect he was driving for about 15 hours! Also used tiptronic to get to 7th gear early plus other hyper-miling techniques.

I prefer the 1.8 TSI to the 1.4 TSI as the fuel consumption is only about 6% less but the acceleration is about 20% better in the 1.8 TSI so I am happy with that trade off. Best I have seen on my range on my Octavia TSI DSG is 650 miles, 1050 Km, (reckon 5% optimistic) and I have spec'd my replacement Superb 1.8 TSI DSG and expect to see similar range readings in the Superb when dawdling to appointments as the 7% lower fuel consumption in the Superb against Octavia is offset by the 9% larger fuel tank.

Edited 17 December, 201114 yr by lol

Even with the possible tail gating tactics that still isn't unimpressive. The superb isnt' exactly a small car. Imagine what the same running gear could do in something much smaller...

Even with the possible tail gating tactics that still isn't unimpressive. The superb isnt' exactly a small car. Imagine what the same running gear could do in something much smaller...

Sorry the double negative fooled me for a bit there. That this was done in fairly normal traffic conditions, ie roads not closed etc, all be it probably in the slow lane with the lorries, in a car that can seat 5 with lots of leg room, huge boot and quite cheap in note worthy IMO.

Fuel consumption trend should continue to lower year on year with new models running ever smaller Petrol turbos and using electric to provide half of acceleration power and city driving for minutes at a time. 100 mpg with 60 KW internal combustion and 60 KW electric should still give 0-60 in 7 seconds or so as well as the good consumption of 100 mpg in a few years.

PSA seem to be trying the diesel hybrid way but it sounds too expensive but then the Euro is starting to fall so maybe it will become more reasonably priced in UK sometime.

VW-Audi produce an even more marvellous 1.8 TSI that they use in the Audi range, 320 Nm of torque from 1400 rpm and 170 hp, 49 mpg combined, 55 mpg extra urban in the auto A5 and 50 mpg combined and 59 mpg Extra urban in the manual using the VVT version of the 1.8 TSI with 7k rpm revving!

Edited 17 December, 201114 yr by lol