It has long been said that it’s impossible for a diesel powered car to achieve 100 mpg. Well Honda decided to do what they say can’t be done and achieve that very milage during a cross country style road trip as a part of their Eco Challenge. The Challenge was to take their Honda Civic Tourer 1.6 i-DTEC (a diesel Civic wagon variant) and journey through all 24 countries in the European Union. Honda Engineers Fergal McGrath and Julian Warren voyaged over 8,387 miles over a 25-day period and managed to set the Guinness Book of World Records for lowest fuel consumption.

They said a record of averaging 100.31 mpg at an average speed of 51 mph. They began in Aalst, Belgium and followed Guinness’ rules closely; they made no mods to the Diesel Honda Civic, inflated the tires to standard and refilled the tank to the top. They averaged 932 miles per tank over the course of their Journey, driving an average of 380 miles per day with an average of 7.5 hours in the drivers seat.

The Honda Civic Tourer is powered by a 1.6-liter inline-four diesel engine that puts out 118 hp and a hefty 221 lb-ft of torque. The 1.6-liter is tied to a six-speed manual transmission and was originally projected to achieve 25-percent lower MPG, with an estimate of 73.4 mpg. Though we normally cover larger diesel engines and not sport compacts like Civics, we have to give credit where credit is due.

As diesel fans we are happy to see any diesel achieve that kind of mileage and prove to the world that our fuel is just as efficient as a hybrid. This leaves us excited to what the future may bring for the diesel in terms of efficiency and performance. Perhaps a diesel I6 or a V8 can start achieving fuel consumption in the 50s?

Fergal McGrath and Julian Warren were exhausted and happy to be back after their Journey.