The motto “we only have one planet we must preserve it” is one that touches all areas of our lives. Auto manufacturers have definitely felt increased pressure from environmental groups, scientists, and concerned citizens since the early 1990s to change any and all practices to minimize environmental damage. Better Fuel efficiency, better aerodynamics to increase that fuel efficiency, even producing hybrid cars that use electricity are just some of the improvements made by automobile producers not only to help the environment
but to compete with each other for those environmentally conscious customers.
Frankly, access to transportation is essential all over the world: nothing can happen without it, whether that transport takes the form of buses, trains, airplanes or cars. In 2015 the United States consumed 7.08 billion barrels of petroleum, although not all of this petrol was used for consumer construction. (For example, crude oil is used to produce plastic). That is a lot of oil usage just in the United States, not factoring in the amount of petroleum used by other countries with denser populations like China or India. The more transportation needs crude oil, the higher environmental impact we create.
To adapt to protecting the environment, the Hyundai Motor Company is committed to producing advanced improvements in its vehicles, especially in newer models. The company has made tremendous strides in producing cars that are better fuel efficient, such as the 2017 Hyundai Elantra, available in the trim levels SE, Value, Eco, Sport, and Limited.
One major improvement towards better fuel economy is the Drag Coefficient.
The Drag Coefficient
The Cd or drag coefficient is a factor not well understood except by the most extreme fuel efficiency shopper. Most car buyers don’t even know what it is. It is mathematically complicated and almost impossible to explain to all but math-minded people, but the information you really need to know is that having a better Cd improves aerodynamics. Better aerodynamics, in turn, improves fuel economy.
Different types of cars and trucks will have variable drag coefficients. Hyundai is continually improving the factors that affect the Cd, from the overall car shape to the engine.
The 2017 Hyundai Elantra has a drag coefficient of 0.27. Major competitors, including the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Leaf EV, and Ford Focus all have Cds of 0.28 or higher. For those considering the 2017 Elantra as your new vehicle, the Toyota Prius has a Cd of 0.26 but the Elantra is priced starting at only $17,000 for the SE. The standard Prius starts at $27,000.
Hyundai’s improvements to the drag coefficient as well as other factors have produced the Elantra Eco, a new addition to the 2017 Elantra line. The fuel capacity for city/highway/combined is 32/40/35, the best EME (EPA Mileage Estimates) of any of the other trim levels. A Car and Driver review positively evaluated the fuel economy on the Elantra Eco, and for two uses they were able to get higher than 40 (43 and 42 respectively). This is definitely a positive step in the right direction for Hyundai’s developments for better fuel efficiency.
Phil Long Hyundai of Motor City has the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Eco that you are looking for, so give us a call today!
