The diesel engine is gradually fading. Even in Europe, the last stronghold of oil producers, demand has declined in recent years. At its peak, diesels accounted for more than 50% of new car sales in early 2010, before the infamous Volkswagen Group scandal. As of August this year, its market share among new cars had shrunk to just 8.3 percent, according to the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA).
One reason diesel is slowly dying is that automakers are systematically abandoning this type of engine in favor of hybrids to meet increasingly stringent emissions regulations. However, Skoda is still sticking with its beloved TDI in several models, including the Superb. The flagship sedan even specified a Guinness Book of World RecordsWhich also proves that diesel remains the undisputed efficiency champion in long-distance travel.
Mikko Marczyk, winner of the 2025 European Rally Championship, drove the Czech brand’s top-range car for 1,759 miles (2,831 km) without refueling. The car was very nice, except for the low-rolling-resistance tires and suspension lowering springs borrowed from the Sportline version. The ride height was reduced by 0.6 in (15 mm) to improve aerodynamics, but otherwise the car was not modified.
To maximize his chances of setting a record, Marczyk filled his personal car’s 17.4-gallon (66 L) tank to the brim. As expected, the 29-year-old Polish driver maintained light pressure on the accelerator. His route took him from Lodz in Poland via Germany and Paris, then back through the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany, covering the distance at an average speed of about 50 mph (80 km/h). The ERC champion showed remarkable restraint, considering that he is used to pushing his Fabia RS Rally2 to the limits in action.
Photo by: Skoda
The Superb averaged just 2.61 liters per 100 kilometers (90.1 mpg), much better than its official rating of 4.8 liters (49 mpg). While driving through France, tailwinds helped it achieve an impressive average of 2.2 liters per 100 km (106.9 mpg) over a distance of 124 miles (200 km). The car’s small 16-inch wheels and relatively low weight, 3,505 pounds (1,590 kg), also worked in its favor.
This Superb was a front-wheel drive version with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, driven entirely in Eco mode. Needless to say, Marczyk hasn’t explored the full potential of the 2.0-liter TDI engine, with 148 hp and 266 lb-ft (360 Nm) of torque. To improve the route, a support car moved a few miles ahead, introducing updates that helped it anticipate traffic, reduce braking, and smoothly increase speed.
Despite setting a record, the rally champion wants to extend his extraordinary achievement even further. His next goal is to travel 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) with a single tank. Marczyk believes it is achievable, noting that his previous career included grueling long distances and cold night drives in Germany, where temperatures dropped to 1 degree Celsius (33.8 degrees Fahrenheit). He also believes that using premium diesel could boost his chances of reaching the milestone.
However, Skoda’s parent company, Volkswagen Group, is phasing out diesel engines. It has already disappeared from smaller cars like the Polo and Fabia, remaining only in the Golf, Octavia and larger models. If the European Union implements its plans 2035 ban on new cars with combustion enginesinternal combustion will completely disappear from the continent’s new car market. Realistically, diesel may not last until the middle of the next decade, at least not in passenger cars.
