Exide-sponsored driver Rainer Zietlow has recorded a new Eurasian world record. The 15,145km journey started in Magadan in east Russia and ended in Lisbon on the western tip of continental Europe. Zietlow completed the journey in a time of 6 days, 9 hours and 38 minutes, smashing the previous record by more than 2 days. The Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI was powered by an Exide Start-Stop AGM battery from Exide Technologies, a leading global provider of stored electrical energy solutions.
The journey started on the Road of Bones, the bumpy gravelled terrain that runs through far east Russia. After six days on the road, the team entered Lisbon just before sunrise. They headed straight to the police station to have their official arrival document signed and stamped, certifying the world record.
The Touareg was fitted with a high-performance Exide Start-Stop AGM battery, ideal for vehicles with power hungry electrical equipment. Exide is a pioneer in automotive start-stop AGM technology, and one of the few start-stop OE suppliers in Europe. As an original-equipment manufacturer, Exide’s batteries are designed to meet the demanding requirements of carmakers. Its manufacturing facilities undergo regular audits to ensure they operate to the meticulous standards expected by its customers.
Rainer Zietlow has completed some of the most ambitious journeys ever attempted, always with Exide on board. He has multiple long distance world records, including the “Panamericana” from Argentina to Alaska, the “Russtralia” from Melbourne to St. Petersburg, and the “Cape to Cape” from Nordkapp in Norway to Cape Agulhas in South Africa. Zietlow is a strong supporter of the SOS Children’s Villages organisation, which provides homes to orphaned and abandoned children.
Exide will show its latest innovations at Automechanika Frankfurt 2016, taking place on 13–17 September. Exide will be in Hall 4.1 Stand D47 and will present its full selection of batteries, including its latest motorbike range and new commercial vehicle battery. Zietlow will do a ‘meet and greet’ with visitors every day, 2pm, at Exide’s stand.
“Exide is an excellent partner, and has an unparalleled reputation for making high-performance, reliable batteries,” said Rainer Zietlow. “Exide Start-Stop AGM was perfectly suited to such a demanding journey, with excellent charge acceptance, four times the cycle life and 20% more power than a standard battery.”