Mitsubishi ASX 1.8 DI-D covers 1,852 km on a single tank
Swiss driver Felix Egolf achieved 1,852 km on one tank in a standard Mitsubishi ASX 1.8 DI-D, averaging 3.67 litres per 100 km across public European roads.
A Mitsubishi ASX 1.8 DI-D has travelled 1,852 kilometres on a single tank of fuel, setting a new benchmark for real-world diesel efficiency in the compact SUV segment. The journey was completed by Swiss hypermiler Felix Egolf, who drove the production-standard ASX across public roads in Europe.
Egolf began the trip in Härkingen, Switzerland, the location of the Swiss Mitsubishi importer, before heading through Vienna, Munich, Zurich, Basel and returning to his starting point. The route combined a variety of driving conditions: three percent urban, two thirds on rural roads, and the remainder on motorways. The feat was completed using a showroom-specification ASX with no modifications to the engine or bodywork.
Real-world fuel economy under scrutiny
The ASX’s average fuel consumption for the trip was 3.67 litres per 100 km, a figure that outperforms Mitsubishi’s official combined-cycle claims for the 1.8 DI-D engine. The achievement comes at a time when laboratory fuel economy figures were increasingly being questioned for their relevance to everyday driving. Egolf’s run, conducted on open roads with real traffic and weather, provides a reference point for what is possible with careful technique and favourable conditions.
The 1.8-litre DI-D engine in the ASX is a four-cylinder turbo diesel, paired with a six-speed manual gearbox. The official European combined fuel consumption figure for this engine was around 5.5 l/100 km at launch, but Egolf’s result shows what can be achieved under controlled, efficiency-focused driving. The ASX’s 63-litre fuel tank enabled the long range, with the car running near its maximum theoretical distance before refuelling.
Implications for buyers and the market
For prospective buyers, this demonstration highlights the potential for low running costs in the ASX 1.8 DI-D, especially for those regularly covering long distances. While few drivers will match Egolf’s hypermiling discipline, the result suggests that real-world economy can approach or even exceed official figures with careful driving. The achievement also serves as a counterpoint to ongoing concerns about the gap between laboratory and on-road fuel consumption, which has affected consumer confidence in diesel claims. Mitsubishi’s diesel technology, at least in this instance, has delivered on its promise of efficiency.
The ASX’s performance in this challenge is likely to be of interest to fleet operators and private buyers alike, particularly in markets where diesel remains popular for its range and fuel economy. For more on the ASX’s European launch and technical details, see 2012 Mitsubishi ASX Priced from €19,350 in Europeand 2012 Mitsubishi ASX arrives in UK with updated safety and diesel efficiency.
