Whether you call it Displacement on Demand/Cylinder Deactivation/Active Fuel Management, it looks like GM is starting to use this technology to improve overall fuel economy in it's V8's. The Tahoe will have it on the 5.3 and the concept Camaro is touting it as a 400 hp vehicle that gets over 30 mpg on the highway.
My question is do you think GM will consider this for the 07 Vette as a way to keep ahead of the gas guzzler tax, and possibly elliminate the CAGS? Would the Vette owners be put off by this technology? I suppose there are those of us who remember the 4-6-8 Caddilacs that were a dismal failure, but also know that in the the Chrysler Hemi it seems to be working well and accepted. Would you want this on your new Vette?

 

No. Yes. No.

 

Only if it could be switched off when desired. I can't see how it could ever be totally seamless. As well, when cruising, the sensitivity of throttle response and torque feel in general, compared to without DOD, would probably be ruined. You'd never be able to press your small toe against the accelerator pedal and feel INSTANT strong power ever again.

Imagine cruising at 50 mph in 5th gear... then DOD comes into play... then you gently squeeze the throttle for a moment.... you either won't feel any of the lucious torque of the 8 cylinders, or the DOD will have to switch off instantly, only to come back on very shortly thereafter... and I can't see how there could not be any lag or delay there. Even a split second lag would be enough to be annoying.

I just can't see how DOD can work well without hurting the driving experience.

Or maybe have the DOD come on when in 6th gear only?

If the car had DOD and it was switchable, I would definitely use it when in traffic or when just cruising along on a flat road trying to get from A to B. But for hitting any nice mountain roads, and/or just wanting to have fun and enjoy the gobs of lower-end torque the engine is capable of producing, that DOD would be switched OFF.

I have hope that even if GM puts DOD in and it is not switchable, the "tuners" will have a way of shutting it off somehow... I hope, I hope, I hope.

Hey, IF by chance the DOD is somehow TOTALLY seamless and nearly undetectable by even the most sensitive drivers, fine with me... but I cannot imagine it being that way. As it is, the "drive by wire" and other modern stuff is already a bit annoying, but just barely gets by as being tolerable. But I hope things do not get any worse. I'd rather pay an extra tax to have a better running high performance car. At least give us the option.

To me, a Vette is all about the driving experience. If the driving experience becomes too degraded by modern fuel saving technology, then what's the point in even having a Vette at all? Just for WOT straight line performance and looks??? NO WAY, not for me! If it doesn't "drive" well in all situations, especially at part throttle around town and on the twisties etc, then I'll need to look for another car, or just go back to motorcycles.

GM, hope you are listening. Please do not ruin a great thing. If DOD must be put in, please allow us to switch it off... unless it is TRULY 100% seamless and 100% undetectable to even the most sensitive high performance drivers!

 

Quote Vet "GM, hope you are listening. Please do not ruin a great thing. If DOD must be put in, please allow us to switch it off... unless it is TRULY 100% seamless and 100% undetectable to even the most sensitive high performance drivers!"

Doubt if they will make things switchable. They have a habit of ramming things down peoples throats! DRL, light sentenal(turns on your headlights) onstar going to be standard on 2007 models,TC AH that always default to on.

 

With the EPA about to significantly revise the methods used to determine MPG there will be changes. DOD is practically inevitable to avoid gas guzzler as CAGS has done in the past. CAGS was developed specifically for getting through the EPA test as it exists.

As there is a CAGS eliminator so there will likely be a DOD eliminator.. but it will likely be software driven and not a $15 resistor and clip.

 

GM claims the system transitions in 5 thousandths of a second. I haven't driven a new GM vehicle with DOD, but the new hemi from Dodge is seamless as far as I can tell. Note that I've only driven an automatic equipped vehicle with DOD. I'm not sure if the feel would be seamless in a manual. But it is quick.

 

For the Corvette............ Nope

 

 

There have been several threads on gas mileage, the most recent of which is Z51 vs. base model. Given the constraint on Z51 cars this year (presumably because of CAFE mileage concerns) would you think that a higher mileage car using DOD would make the constraint go away? I personally don't think most sport oriented drivers would be willing to give away anything in drivability as a concession to fuel mileage. I have to agree with TheKomoman that some type of fuel mileage modification will be coming to satisfy the EPA etc. If it is coming, I sure hope it's as seemless as the General would have us believe! I haven't had a chance to drive a Hemi with the cylinder deactivation yet, but I haven't read any negative reports on it either. Maybe if (when) it comes to the Vette it won't be too bad.