This is totally true! What happened is we forgot how to build engines!!
Using modern, high-end lubricants, better ignition parts (spark plugs, etc), better air intake, better exhaust, and decent tires my old 1990 Geo Storm got upwards of 50 MPG highway. My 1995 (admittedly terrible) Mitsubishi Mirage S (basic coupe) gets upwards of 43!! SOHC Saturn SC models got something like 45+.
There's a sports car called the Avion that gets upwards of 100MPG. Look it up.
The problem is that somewhere along the line past the mid-nineties we just plain forgot how to build engines. America suffers from not only collective amnesia but an incredible brain drain as we have incredibly lousy engineers at the corporate helm. We focused on bigger, louder engines with no real increases in any kind of efficiency, getting to the point where my parents think that an absolutely pathetic 20+ MPG highway is "really good".
Of course the car in this article can get 70+ MPG with these kinds of specs. It's just plain good engineering. Also, look at the smooth lines and curves - less drag means more efficiency. I'll also bet you the vehicle doesn't actually weigh all that much.
