An Australian couple who set a Guinness world record for driving around the globe on 24 tanks of fuel will attempt to break the current world record for lowest fuel consumption on a drive across the 48 contiguous United States.. Click image to enlarge

Herndon, Virginia - An Australian couple who set a Guinness world record for driving around the globe on 24 tanks of fuel will attempt to break the current world record for lowest fuel consumption on a drive across the 48 contiguous United States. John and Helen Taylor will make the trip in a new, 50-state-compliant clean diesel Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

The Taylors achieved their previous record in 2006 while driving a Volkswagen Golf.

The drive will include some 12 official check-in and refuelling stops across the country, which is expected to finish September 26 in West Virginia. The current world record for the lowest fuel consumption on a nationwide drive is US51.8 mpg (4.6 L/100 km).

“It will be a great challenge and adventure to drive through the 48 U.S. mainland states,” Helen Taylor said. “We want to educate the American public that by choosing the right car, using the right fuel and adopting fuel-saving driving techniques, everyone in the U.S. can save money, fuel and reduce carbon emissions.”