Mazda 6 sets 137mph endurance record

The Mazda 6 has set a new high-speed endurance record over a 24-hour run

Mazda has set a new world record for the fastest average speed over a 24 hour endurance run. The record was set by one of three 175bhp 2.2-litre SkyActiv Mazda 6 saloons, which achieved an average of 137.37mph over the course of 24 hours.

The previous record for diesel powered production cars in the 2.0-2.5-litre category stood at 130.38mph.

During the record setting high-speed run, a distance of 3,293 miles was covered, with 23 different drivers taking part. The driver line-up consisted of journalists, car enthusiasts and professional racing drivers. Each driver was allocated a 90-minute stint and was not permitted to follow in the slipstream of the car in front. On average, only 0.55mph separated the three Mazda 6 saloons that took part in the event.

Earlier this year, Auto Express was also involved in a record setting high-speed run, which seen Senior Road Tester Owen Mildenhall set a 125.101mph average speed in the 1.6-2.0-litre category. The record was set in a 163bhp 2.0-litre Vauxhall Astra over a 24 hour period, which seen a distance of 3,002.44 miles covered.