Compact car MPG shootout - "50 litre challenge"

[tasdrouille]

I find it interesting that the spectra, which has the exact same engine as the elantra got 0.5 L/100 km more.

[MetroMPG]

Isn't the Spectra essentially the same car, made entirely on the same platform/drivetrain?

[tasdrouille]

If I'm not mistaken, the current Spectra is still based on the previous gen Elantra platform. They share the same engine, but not the same trans. For the AT, the final gear is 4.407 for the Spectra vs 3.849 for the Elantra. On the other hand, the Spectra is said to have a .31 Cd vs .32 for the Elantra.