• 8 days, 5,955.8 kms, 250.9 litres of diesel fuel and an average fuel consumption of just 4.3 L/100km

After eight days on the Trans-Canada highway, the 2014 Chevrolet Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel and the husband-wife team of Garry Sowerby and Lisa Calvi arrived in Halifax on Friday, August 30 with an average fuel consumption reading of just 4.3 L/100km. The driver information centre “Trip A” that was last reset in Vancouver displayed the following information upon arrival in Halifax:

Overall Trip: 5955.8 km
Overall Average fuel consumption: 4.3 L/100km
Overall Average speed: 80.3 km/h

“We had a great trip across the country, showing Canadians and ourselves that to do a massive road trip can be fun, frugal and fuel efficient,” said Lisa Calvi. “In fact, we drove over 1,400 kms on our best tank of fuel. Overall, the Cruze consumed 250.9 litres of diesel fuel for the entire trip, costing just over $300”

“We set a record by driving the speed limit, or just slightly below, with the right product,” said Garry Sowerby. “We used the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid car on the market.”

Garry and Lisa described their parameters for this record setting road trip as follows: 

• Average overall speed on the entire journey must be 80 km/h or above. We were at no time a hazard on the roads. We drove the speed limit, slightly under where we could and where it was safe to do so.  We travelled with the flow of traffic on two-lane highways and used passing lanes to their full efficiency.

• The entire trip must be completed in 8 days or 192 hours. We did it in 189 hours.

• The entire route must be within Canada between Halifax and Vancouver. Direction of travel is up to the drive team.

• No boats, ferries, airplanes or trains allowed.

• You must use the least amount of fuel. We used 250.9 litres of diesel fuel.  We took the average between the DIC readout and the total from fuel receipts.

• Vehicle: to the discretion of the drive team but must be a stock, production model that is available for sale in Canada. We used a 2014 Chevy Clean Turbo Diesel Cruze, according to Chevrolet, the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid car on the market.

The 2014 Cruze Clean Turbo Diesel starts at $24,945 plus $1,550 destination charge, and was chosen for this adventure for its industry-best 4.2 L/100km highway fuel consumption – better than any non-hybrid passenger car in Canada.  The Cruze also offers a segment leading 151 horsepower and 264 lb.-ft of torque providing spirited performance and the durability diesel owners value around the globe. The fuel tank on the Cruze Diesel holds 59 litres of diesel fuel.