Hyundai’s future model lineup to achieve an average of 50 mpg (or better) by 2025!
Hyundai’s model lineup is the most fuel-efficient vehicle lineup currently available on American soil. Hyundai is also the sole automaker in the USA that averages a fuel economy rating of 30 mpg. And the South Korean carmaker is poised to stay on top and maintain its fuel-economy leadership in the future.
Yesterday, the automaker revealed ambitious plans to boost the fleet fuel efficiency average from a current level of 30 mpg to a whopping 50 mpg by 2025. “We are committed to setting the pace in this industry on fuel economy, and we are inspired by the possibilities that our advanced Blue Drive technologies afford. Getting to 50 mpg and beyond seems like a huge leap, but by making this commitment and aligning our R&D initiatives now, we know we can get there,” said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and CEO.
To achieve an average of 50 mpg, Hyundai plans to improve its current model lineup by introducing a range of fully redesigned models with vastly improved powertrain technologies. Technical improvements will affect each model in the automaker’s line-up, starting from sub-compact Hyundai Accent and Elantra sedan to the automaker’s luxury Genesis sedan and coupe.
Hyundai claims that each new car and crossover vehicle wearing a Hyundai badge will adopt a large number of fuel-saving powertrain technologies. Those include gasoline direct injection technology, turbocharging and light-weight materials. The carmaker will also develop new hybrid vehicles, electric cars and its first-ever plug-in hybrid vehicle. Add some fuel-cell powered vehicles and you get a perfect eco-friendly vehicle lineup.
One of the very-first Hyundai models that features some of the afore-mentioned innovative powertrain technologies already hit the market. This is the hot-selling 2011 Sonata sedan, which went on sale in the US-market earlier this year. The all-new Sonata features Hyundai’s state-of-the-art 2,4L Theta II 4-cylinder engine with gasoline direct injection -GDI technology.
The model also features a more powerful 274 horsepower 2,0L turbo engine and completely new hybrid powertrain technology which mates a2,4L Theta II gasoline engine to an electric motor and 6-speed automatic transmission. The 2011 Sonata Hybrid incorporates an industry-first lithium polymer battery, which packs greater power density and stability into a smaller, more package-efficient space.
The 2011 Sonata will soon be followed by fully-redesigned Hyundai Avante/Elantra compact sedan, which is already on sale in South Korea, and new Hyundai Accent. The automaker will also introduce a 40-mpg Veloster sports car, which is rumored to make its official premiere at the forth-coming Paris Auto Show.