Driven by Top Gear Online editor Chris Mooney with help from navigator, Andrew Duerden, Vauxhall’s archivist and resident eco-driving expert, the V8-powered VXR8 registered 32.14mpg against a combined figure of 21mpg.

The Fleet World MPG Marathon is the UK longest-running economy driving event.  The two-day event took place in the Cotswolds this year with separate routes covering 350 miles of countryside including a mixture of A and B roads and motorway driving.

Chris Mooney said: 'Andrew and I are, as they say, over the moon to win the overall best percentage improvement in the VXR8. It just goes to show that the person behind the wheel can make a massive difference to fuel costs and carbon emissions. And, of course, that a 6.2 litre V8 is a very sensible choice of engine in the right hands.”

Chris and Andrew will pick up their trophy at a presentation at the Royal Automobile Club in Pall Mall, London on Wednesday.

The VXR8 stormed back with a vengeance earlier this year, packing heavily revised front- and rear-end styling, a new cabin and a raft of new technology to enhance its appeal to drivers in search of one of the last, great rear-drive V8 super-saloons.