Hyundai Says It Will Reach 35 MPG by 2015

The government has told automakers it must reach a fleet average fuel economy of 35 mpg by 2020, but Hyundai now says it will hit that goal by 2015, five years ahead of schedule.

How does the Korean company plan to meet that goal? Hyundai plans not only to move forward on developing next-generation hybrid vehicles, but to take a holistic approach to its gasoline engines by finding ways to shave a mile per gallon here and a mile per gallon there.

Some of the technologies Hyundai plans to roll out in new vehicles include transmissions that increase efficiency, integrated Stop and Go technology that saves fuel while idling, turbocharging, direct-injection, eight-speed automatic transmissions, and dual continuously variable valve timing. Other automakers are planning similar changes, but Hyundai’s relatively small lineup — with no full-size SUVs or trucks — also lends itself to a quicker jump in overall mileage.

Hyundai plans to introduce three new cars that will help it get to 35 mpg on the fast track, including a hybrid version of the Sonata. At the upcoming Paris auto show in October and the Los Angeles auto show in November, Hyundai will show off the Santa Fe Hybrid and the compact i20 and i20 low-emission diesel, which may or may not go on sale in the U.S.

Hyundai Says It Can Reach US 2020 CAFÉ Requirement of 25 mpg by 2015; Hybrid Santa Fe Concept to Debut at Paris Show (Green Car Congress)

Comments

Congratulations to Hyundai for designing cars that get better MPG. Perhaps Hyundai will ond day take over Honda's position of being a "green car company". While the Big 3 apply the term green only in bigger company profits, Hyundai is achieving superiority in building a better car.

Why does every announcement by ANY import compay result in a dig at our own companies. Companies are businesses- if Americans would not have bought (and continue to buy!) big trucks and SUV's, no one would building them. And, like the article says, almost all companies are implimenting these same practices- including the detroit 2. KJ, just so you know- ford and GM are making almost no money on hybrids, which they actually have on the road now; hyundai has only announced one, yet you give them props.

Broq

I find myself liking Hyundai more and more.

I guess full-sized suvs to the author mean Toyota Landcruiser size. I believe Hyundai has already added Explorer sized suvs in the Santa Fe, that keeps inching bigger each generation. Therefore to me Hyundai has large SUVs.

Broq,
I don't understand it myself that regardless of the news being posted, people have to take a jab at the domestic automakers. And somehow, foreigh automakers can do no evil. KJ praises Hyundai yet neglects the fact that they have just introduced a full-size car with the anti-greenest of engines: a V8, and a new body-on-frame SUV with again, a V8 engine (I'm talking about the KIA Borrego which is the same company as Hyundai).

Well, Hyundai could drop the V8, and move the V6 to the 6 speed automatic.
or Hyundai can upgrade the V8 to ZF's 8 speed automatic when it becomes available.
or upgrade both engines to the 8 speed auto.

GOOD for hyundai!!!maybe the big three could build a hybrid that more afforable than foregin companys then maybe people will actually be intrested in thier cars !!! oh and thier designs really suck!!

Keith -
Don't visit the site if what they say doesn't match your reality.

Ziggy,
Thanks for your valuable feedback. Maybe I will just stop wasting my time on this site as clearly you are incapable of seeing past your superiority complex. Reminds me of the bullies who picked on the little kids or different kids just because they could. Answer me this though as you have yet to provide a straight answer to me even though I've asked it a number of times in the past: You are clearly not a fan of domestic automakers and that's fine but why do you feel the need to go beyond your dislike and continually trash them? What purpose does it serve? In this very post, tell me what purpose does it serve to bash (unfounded bashing I might add) the domestic automakers on a posting about Hyundai's future product development? Are you even capable of providing a straight answer or are you going to respond as you typically do by belittling me or again bashing the domestics? Go ahead and accuse me of being a domestic fanboy but the reality is I am a fan of all things automotive.

Keith
1) I haven't said anyting on this post regarding domestics
2) I have owned 3 Chevy's, a Ford and a Dodge - all have been crap (by that I mean - in the shop several times during the first year, and very poor reliability)
3) I have owned a Honda, a Toyota, a Nissan and a Hyundai and all of them have exceeded 100,000 miles and have NEVER needed a repair.
I speak from my experience as do 70% of those that log in on this site.
Go watch Battlestar Gilactica you nerd.

Again, thanks for not giving a straight answer and thanks for demonstrating your level of maturity too.

Keith-
You remind me of a republican visiting a democratic website complaining because people bash Bush and McCain. Face it - the big 3 have not had a stellar track record in reliability over the last 20 years while the Japanese have. For some reason that pisses you off. Take a look at the numbers - more foreign vehicles are sold in the US than domestics. Obviously more people are going to favor foreigns. If someone has been burned by a domestic brand more than once then they might have an axe to grind. This could be the issue with Ziggy and some others. Keith, give it a rest already.