mpg-o-editor

VW Jetta TDI Averaging 59+ MPG in Cross Country Trek

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How far would you drive to land in the Guinness Book of World Records?

How about 8,000 miles?

As we reported earlier this month, John and Helen Taylor are in the midst of driving through the contiguous 48 states, in the hopes of setting a new Guinness world’s record for the lowest fuel consumption on a cross-country voyage.

To date, the Taylors have averaged 59.42 miles per gallon (MPG) in their clean diesel 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. The trek began on September 3rd in Chantilly, Virginia and ended its first leg in Santa Monica, California, with 5,499 miles driven in twelve days, at a cost of $362.44.

The full trip is expected to take 24 days, winding up in West Virginia.

Guinness specifies that a minimum of 15 miles must be driven in each state and that the vehicle be a stock production unit, with no modifications, whatsoever. Photographic evidence must be taken of the entire trip. This is the first time that Guinness has allowed the use of a GPS navigation unit.

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Saab 9-3 Gas Mileage

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While the long-running Saab 9-3 doesn’t top the charts when it comes to gas mileage, it is capable of producing respectable numbers when driven conservatively.

The 9-3 is well-outfitted. All current 9-3s are equipped with traction control, electronic stability, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, and six-speed manual transmissions as standard equipment. An electronically controlled five-speed Saab Sentronic automatic is optional in the 2.0T, while a six-speed Sentronic is available in the Aero; both offer manual gear selection.

2009 Saab 9-3

The 9-3 is available with three engine choices, all of which are intercooled turbos. The 9-3 2.0T is equipped with a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine that produces 210 horsepower (HP) and 221 foot pounds of torque. The 9-3 Aero is fitted with a 2.8 liter six-cylinder engine that prodices 255 HP and 258 foot pounds of torque. The Aero’s Cross-Wheel Drive (XWD) option takes the six up a notch to 280 HP / 295 foot pounds, and ratchets down the gas mileage (as is the case with all AWD vehicles).

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2009 Toyota Yaris

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The ante in the high-MPG entry-level hatchback market has been upped with the introduction of the 2009 Toyota Yaris five-door Liftback. The new versatile five-door Yaris Liftback rounds out a trio of fuel-efficient offerings, nailing the cool button between the Yaris sedan’s conventional appearance and the three-door Liftback’s love-it-or-hate-it design. If Goldielocks was in the market for a Yaris, this just might be it.

2009 Toyota Yaris sedan and liftbacks

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BlogWorld Discount Code

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Thinking about heading out to the BlogWorld Expo in Las Vegas next week? If you haven’t registered yet, you might be able to save a couple of bucks on the registration fees (although the window is closing fast). The good folks at BlogWorld have kindly sent along a 20% discount code “DG8CAY” that is good … Read more

2008 Toyota Prius MPG Review

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Toyota Prius MPG-o-Matic Toyota Prius Review Summary: The space age-styled Toyota Prius hybrid delivers chart-topping fuel economy, a quiet ride, and a surprising amount of interior room.

The 2008 Toyota Prius competes most closely with the Honda Civic Hybrid, and clearly leads the current pack of hybrids when it comes to gas mileage, recognition, and sales. Under the hood, the 2008 Prius is fitted with a Hybrid Synergy Drive system consisting of a 1.5 liter DOHC 16-valve VVT-i four cylinder engine and electric motor mated to an electronic continuously variable transmission (ECVT). The system produces a total of 110 net horsepower (HP).

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