Back in September of 2011, Kia Motors had set a new Guinness World Record when a Kia Optima Hybrid sedan had travelled all 48 adjoining U.S. states while consuming the least amount of fuel.
Piloted by drivers Wayne Gerdes and Chris Bernius, the 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid would complete the 7,899 mile route averaging an impressive 64.55 mpg, equating to a range of 1,418 miles per tank, to achieve a consumption of only 5.5 tanks of gasoline through the entire journey. What's more, this figure completely crushes the Optima Hybrid's official EPA rating by 61.37 percent.
No funny business, the Guinness World Record guideline requires that the Optima Hybrid must carry the luggage of its two person team throughout the journey. Verified by Philip Robertson, Adjudicator at Guinness World Records, Kia was handed the official record title for 'lowest fuel consumption across the 48 contiguous United States in a gasoline hybrid car." Undoubtably, Kia is very proud of its new sedan.
In fact, nearly 9 months later, Kia is still gloating. Yesterday, the Korean automaker has released its first ad to celebrate the world record.
The commercial features an adventureman on a pogo stick as an Optima Hybrid pulls alongside. This comparison only goes to show just how much more the Optima Hybrid's achievement means than just another silly record in the book.
