Kia Optima runs on almost nothing

Kia Optima Hybrid 2011. Photo / Supplied

They don't get more frugal than this hybrid

Kia has been busily scooping up awards for its excellent Optima mid-size sedan and has now added a Guinness world record for fuel frugality.

In an extensive 48-state test in the United States over 14 days, a hybrid version of the Optima, powered by a high-compression version of the 2.4-litre engine available in New Zealand, achieved the incredible average figure of 3.64L/100km (77.7mpg in the old money).

This is 60 per cent better than the official Environmental Protection Agency highway consumption figure.

In fitting with the Guinness rulebook, there were two people and luggage in the car, which averaged 902km a day and recorded an average distance of 2268.8km between gas station visits.

Kia New Zealand general manager Todd McDonald said he was very excited at the prospect of getting the Optima hybrid in New Zealand. It is available only in left-hand drive, but as the Euro launch looms, there are plans for a right-hand-drive version in Britain. As almost half of New Zealand's Kia stocks are sourced from Britain - including Rio, Picanto, Sorento and Soul - this bodes well for a mid-size hybrid to foot it with Toyota's hybrid Camry. "We would very seriously consider the hybrid version when it becomes available," McDonald said.

"Those fuel consumption figures are just incredible. This engine technology is world-leading."

The 2.4 four-cylinder used in the hybrid has a 20 per cent higher compression ratio than Kiwi models and is supplemented by a 30kw interior permanent magnet synchronous electric motor fed by an array of lightweight lithium polymer batteries.

The record set for the Guinness Book of World Records is: "Lowest fuel consumption driving through all 48 contiguous US states in a petrol hybrid car."