Chattanooga-made Passat breaks Guinness World Record

photo President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America Jon Browning, center, poses with Bob Winger, and Wayne Gerdes, right, following the Guinness World Record certificate presentation on Monday, June 24, 2013 at Volkswagen Group of America headquarters in Herndon, Va.

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A diesel-powered Volkswagen Passat has set a new Guinness World Record for the lowest fuel consumption in a drive in all 48 states in the continental United States for a non-hybrid car.

The Chattanooga-made Passat garnered 77.99 mpg, more than 10 mpg better than the previous mark of 67.9 mpg, according to Volkswagen of America.

The Passat TDI left Herndon, Va., June 7th and covered 8,122 miles in all 48 states. The car, along with drivers Wayne Gerdes and Bob Winger, returned to Herndon today.

"To cover 8,122 miles on just 104.94 gallons of fuel is nothing short of astonishing and shows just how economical our TDI Clean Diesel vehicles can be," said Jonathan Browning, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America Inc., in a statement.

A VW Jetta held the previous record.

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