Rally champion, fuel efficiency record holder

Miko Marczyk is this year’s European Rally Champion. Off the track, however, the Polish driver has an unexpected hobby: fuel-efficient driving. Behind the wheel of a Škoda Superb, he managed to cover 2,831 kilometres on a single tank—a new world record. He will share tips on how to approach such a feat.

21. 10. 2025 Škoda World

On the rally circuit, Miko Marczyk gives his absolute maximum, while in everyday driving he can cover immense distances safely and efficiently. He spends over 120,000 kilometres behind the wheel every year. “Our sport is very demanding financially, so I try to find ways to offer maximum value to my partners,” he explains regarding his high mileage.

One idea for raising his and his partners´ profile came from the fact that on public roads, Miko never rushes. On the contrary, years ago, he discovered the appeal of fuel-efficient driving. “With friends, we started testing how economical cars could be and began competing in a friendly way,” says the driver. At the time, he was driving a Škoda Octavia 2.0 TDI and an idea began to form in his head: “However, the Octavia has a relatively small fuel tank, so I waited for the new generation of the Superb,” he recalls, describing how the idea of a world record for distance driven on a single fuel tank came about.

Focus and foresight

This year, Miko turned that idea into reality, setting a world record of greatest distance driven on a single tank of fuel. In a fourth-generation Škoda Superb, he covered 2,831 kilometres on a single fuel tank, averaging just 2.61 liters of diesel per 100 kilometres. By comparison, the official combined fuel consumption of the model in this configuration is 4.8 liters per 100 kilometres. “Even an ordinary driver can fairly easily reach below the manufacturer’s stated figure,” the record holder notes.

His advice is fairly straightforward. “Tire pressure is crucial - stick to the manufacturer’s recommended level, which is sufficient for low consumption,” he reminds, emphasizing one of the basic but often overlooked rules of economical driving. Smooth driving and foresight are also essential: “Look ahead, anticipate, ease off the accelerator in time, and try to brake as little as possible. Accelerate gently and gradually,” Miko advises.

He adds another important piece of advice in this regard: “I always drive as rested as possible. Sleep is essential—I aim for seven to eight hours a night. This allows me to focus and judge properly,” he explains. The extreme eco-rally style used during the record attempt is not part of his daily driving routine. “In everyday driving, I drive normally, listen to podcasts, take calls, and generally take it all in stride,” he says.

Miko Marczyk drove from Poland to Disneyland Paris and back in a Škoda Superb on a single tank of fuel.

Getting to know the car

For his record-breaking drive, Miko thought through and planned every detail to maximize the driving range. The process began with selecting the car. He chose the Škoda Superb for its 66-liter fuel tank (filled to the brim for the record) and excellent aerodynamics. He opted for the 2.0 TDI with 110 kW, front-wheel drive, and a seven-speed DSG automatic transmission, keeping the standard 16-inch wheels. “The car weighs 1,590 kilograms, which is excellent for a vehicle of this size and helps minimize driving resistance,” explains the champion.

He also spent time familiarizing himself with the car. He received it in November 2024 and began the record attempt in early March of this year. “Before the record attempt, I had already driven around 20,000 kilometres with it,” he says. While the car remained standard, Miko did make one modification: he installed Sportline springs, lowering the chassis by 15 millimetres. “This improved aerodynamics,” he explains. The car was also fitted with low rolling-resistance tires. “I found out that brand new tires are not ideal—it’s better to wear them down slightly, which lowers consumption,” he describes.

Every detail matters

The drive itself was relatively standard. Miko maintained lower speeds of around 80 km/h, where the powertrain is most efficient. For smoother gear shifts and less sensitive throttle response, he used Eco mode. He also maintained a safe distance from other vehicles. “The Superb’s aerodynamics are so good that even at such a distance, a truck in front can help shield you against headwinds. With tailwinds, you don’t even need to draft,” Miko adds, sharing one of his insights.

A support vehicle led the way by two to three kilometres, informing him of route details. “Even minor details mattered, like a slight incline toward a toll booth, which helped me lift my foot off the accelerator sooner and barely brake until reaching the barrier,” he reveals.

Despite his careful planning, Miko still sees room for improvement. “Germany was a bit challenging. During the night, temperatures were around 1 °C, which is not ideal for fuel consumption. There were also long uphill stretches of over five kilometres, which further increased fuel usage. On the return through France, I had a 200-kilometer stretch with a tailwind, where consumption was just about 2.2 liters per 100 kilometres,” he describes his experiences from the route.

Miko Marczyk

Twenty-nine-year-old Polish driver Miko Marczyk won the FIA European Rally Championship this year. Previously, he placed third in 2021 and 2024 and was Polish national champion in 2019 and 2021. He began his rally career in 2016. His co-driver since 2017 has been Szymon Gospodarczyk, with whom he has achieved all his major rally successes. His championship victories have been associated with Škoda vehicles—first with a Fabia R5, then a Fabia Rally2 evo, and most recently the Fabia RS Rally2. Marczyk also serves as a Škoda brand ambassador in Poland.

Economical driving with diesel, hybrid, and electric cars

Miko left some potential margin regarding fuel, as he used standard diesel. If he attempts another record, he plans to test premium fuel. He quietly mentions a goal of surpassing 3,000 kilometres on a single fuel tank, demonstrating his enthusiasm for economical driving.

From Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains, he managed to drive 730 kilometres to the Baltic Sea in a Škoda Enyaq electric vehicle without charging, achieving a consumption of 11 kWh per 100 kilometres. “Electric cars are rapidly advancing in efficiency and range—I’m curious to see what’s next,” he smiles. In a Škoda Octavia RS iV plug-in hybrid, he covered 108 kilometres from Zakopane to Kraków on just one litre of petrol. The Polish rally champion sets an example not only in motorsport but also in defensive and economical driving.

Škoda Superb 2.0 TDI 110 kW: combined WLTP fuel consumption 4.8–5.0 l/100 km, combined CO₂ emissions from/to: 126–130 g/km. Fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions depend on selected vehicle configuration.