With 49 participants in 25 cars, the mission was simple: how far can you go on a single 42-litre tank of fuel?

Well, the winner managed to clock 1,552 kilometres. That’s nearly the distance from Singapore to Bangkok, achieved without so much as a fuel stop. The winning team also promptly beat the 2022 record of 970.3km. In doing so, they earned themselves a rightful spot in the Singapore Book of Records and a cool $10,000 prize to boot.

“We’re thrilled by the enthusiasm of our participants and the outstanding results achieved,” said Mr Bryan Heng, Head of Sales at Cycle & Carriage Kia. “This challenge showcases the Kia Niro Hybrid’s fuel-efficient technology, not just in theory, but on real roads with everyday drivers.”

Based on official specs, the Niro Hybrid is meant to achieve a respectable 1,050km range. But as team after team crossed the 1,000km mark with relative ease, it became clear that Kia may have understated its own hybrid star.

During the 48-hour event, drivers had to map their routes with precision, divvy up shifts smartly, and avoid the kind of driving that invites unnecessary consumption.

Each car had its tank sealed before departure, and a mid-point check-in ensured no funny business was going on under the bonnet.

Cycle & Carriage Kia extended thanks to all the participants, supporters, and partners who made the challenge a success. But perhaps the biggest winner here is the conversation itself, one where fuel economy, environmental awareness, and record-breaking feats can co-exist in one efficient hybrid vehicle.

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Slated to run from 3pm on 18 April to 3pm on 20 April 2025, the challenge is a rallying cry to Kia Niro Hybrid owners to prove, in real-world conditions, what their fuel-sipping crossovers are capable of.

It’s also a tip of the hat to the Niro’s own performance legacy, harking back to its record-setting 2022 feat: a national benchmark of 970km in 24 hours, achieved without a single fuel stop.

Unlike the typical “test drive” where you spend 20 minutes figuring out how to adjust the seats, participants are invited to form three-driver teams, craft their own routes, and take shifts behind the wheel, all while coaxing every last kilometre from a sealed 42-litre fuel tank. Each team will also pass through a designated pit stop to clock in and check their standing.

It’s a strategic test as much as it is mechanical. Route planning, driver habits, terrain, all of it will factor into how far the Niro can go on that single tank.

And with real rewards on the table, the motivation to optimise every kilometre is real. $10,000 in cash and servicing credits await the team that travels the farthest, and for those crossing the 970km mark, there’s a fuel and servicing voucher bonus too.

And while the challenge is about kilometres, it’s also about community. Every team that signs up walks away with a full tank of petrol, limited-edition t-shirts, and a goodie bag to commemorate the journey. 

For those ready to test their mettle and mileage, the clock for the Unstoppable Niro 48Hr Challenge starts ticking on 18 April. One tank. One mission. One record to beat. Are you in?

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