Craig Henderson of Bellingham, Washington, drove his custom-built Avion automobile from the US-Canada border to the US-Mexico border on a single tank of diesel fuel.
Akron-based Goodyear and Henderson report that the journey extended over 1400 miles, that Henderson managed to get 119.1 miles per gallon, and that his Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires played a significant role in his achievement. He used only 12.4 gallons of fuel on the trip from Blaine, Washington, on the Canadian border, to the Mexican border near Chula Vista, California. Henderson made stops for overnight lodging but did not refuel.
The lightweight, aerodynamic Avion has been around since 1984 and has set records in the past. The Avion uses an 800 cc diesel engine. Henderson built the original Avion with co-designer Bill Green; it has never been mass produced.
Henderson said, "The Avion has achieved 113 miles per gallon at 55-60 miles per hour in testing. For this journey, we averaged around 55 miles per hour and contended with regular traffic volumes. The Goodyear Fuel Max tires help provide the fuel savings we wanted, and with the confidence of knowing we will have excellent wet and dry traction."
Goodyear brand manager Razvan Bosomoiu points out that the Fuel Max tire is available in sizes that fit 80% of cars on the road today. Goodyear estimates that these tires deliver 4% fuel economy to buyers, saving 2,600 miles worth of fuel per set of tires.
See this article for a video that gives a closer look at the Avion.
For more information see PRNewswire.com.
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