October 10, 2019 – West Bend, WI – “Automakers continually work to improve vehicles’ energy efficiency,” said Ivan Lawler, Director of Operations with the Russ Darrow Group. “The progression of technology has shown us that the majority of these energy-efficient advancements can be sorted under one of three categories: engine and transmission enhancements, hybrid technologies, and electric technologies. Ultimately, the collective goal behind energy-efficient features on vehicles is to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, so we can leave behind a smaller carbon footprint as well as save consumers money.”
The 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage is a prime example of a non-hybrid, non-electric vehicle that sports excellent fuel efficiency with 36 mpg in the city, 43 mpg on the highway.
“It’s outstanding fuel efficiency can be traced to its engine size and transmission type. Generally speaking, larger engines consume more fuel than smaller ones, which is why the Mitsubishi Mirage’s 1.3-liter engine that provides 78 horsepower, works to its advantage,” said Lawler. Additionally, this vehicle is equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
According to fueleconomy.gov, CVTs have a limitless number of gears, which allows seamless acceleration and better fuel economy. Those who drive a 2019 Mitsubishi Mirage can expect to spend as little as $950 annually on gas station visits.
Featuring 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and a CVT, the 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid is also powered by two electric motor-generators. More specifically, the vehicle uses the energy that is stored in the battery, which is charged through regenerative braking and by the internal combustion engine, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. In other words, the vehicle charges without the use of a plug.
“This clever combination of gasoline and electricity that is used to power the vehicle allows the Corolla Hybrid to achieve 53 mpg in the city and 52 mpg on the highway, with 121 horsepower,” said Lawler.
Also, the engine and the cabin heat faster since the engine coolant is warmed via exhaust heat.
Fitted with a 64.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the 2019 Nissan Leaf Plus is an electric vehicle, which eliminates the use of gasoline altogether. Its miles per gallon equivalent is 114 in the city and 94 on the highway, as the recalibrated electric motor exerts 215 horsepower. The Leaf Plus’s EPA range is 215 miles, meaning it can travel that distance in combined city and highway driving on a full charge. “The secret behind the vehicle’s impressive EPA fuel economy lies in the floor-mounted battery,” said Lawler. “Thanks to the rapid development of technology, the battery is approximately the same size as its predecessor but stores substantially more power. Moreover, the battery charges to 80% within 45 minutes when a 100.0-kwh DC hookup is used.
The automotive industry is always looking to the future, which entails actively thinking about the environment and creating strategies on how to preserve it. It’s no coincidence that vehicles’ energy efficiency drastically improves from one model year to the next. “The Mirage achieved this feat by using a smaller engine and CVT transmission, the Corolla Hybrid demonstrated this by using a combination of gasoline and electricity to power the vehicle, and the Leaf Plus conveyed this with the use of electricity alone. Even though the modifications are unique to each vehicle, the end goal is the same – decrease reliance on nonrenewable resources and help drivers economize,” said Lawler.
Russ Darrow Group, headquartered in Menomonee Falls, is Wisconsin’s all-time volume auto retailer since 1965. Russ Darrow Group owns and operates dealerships in Milwaukee, Appleton, Green Bay, Madison, Waukesha, Wauwatosa, West Bend, and Greenfield representing Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Toyota, Honda, Nissan, KIA, Mazda, and Mitsubishi. With over 1,000 employees, the company also operates a nationwide fleet and leasing business and has its own in-house financing company.