Irv

I agree with you in principle, but the CAFE ratings for the base C6 are still 18/28, and I think the official C6 average is 23, but I might be slightly incorrect. (It is not usually published, and used only for calculating the gas guzzler tax.) The new "adjusted" CAFE ratings are not for official use, they're just the fudged numbers shown to us dumb 'ol consumers.

Irv

It might be a bad idea for the Corvette to be rear mid-engined (I'm not convinced one way or the other), but why does that kill off the convertible? There are a few available already... Boxster, F430, Lambos, MR2 (ok, bad example).

BrentC5Z

The network coverage from DAS last Sunday did show the newest Escillade @ 30 mpg.

TLK

Although this "leak" comes along with news of the Impala which hasn't been built yet, this could be an attempt to keep Corvette C6 buying enthusiasm up as we start to move into another recession...

MikeyTX

Originally Posted by Jinx
One thing that makes downsizing a tough sell: the occupants aren't getting any smaller.

.Jinx

WhiteDiamond

Currently, the CAFE numbers are driven from a 55% urban cycle and 45% rural cycle. If you take the numbers off your Corvette window sticker and use those percentages, you will see what the CAFE mark for the Vette is. The 2008 fuel milage numbers are the better mark to work with, as those are based off the new test procedure and probably the procedure that will be used going forward.

The new 35mpg CAFE is simply a great tool for GM to throw sports car lovers into a frienzy. The real deal that GM(and all makes) need to deal with are the larger vehicles. GM's CAFE is barely touched with the Vette at 35K units a year, but trucks at 700K units or more per year.....well..... Take the new CTS for example. Gets great reviews, made car of the year, but it is AT LEAST 500lbs OVERWEIGHT for its market. This is the crap GM will need to deal with.

My bet is that GM could get the Vette to fuel rated numbers of 18-19mpg in town and 32-34 on the highway next year with simple tuning/technology implementations already used in other GM vehicles. This would put the Vette's CAFE above the BEST MILAGE one of those new trucks/SUVs can obtain on the freeway......

Either way, I would rather see the government increase the tax on gas and let the market place sort out the vehicle purchases. This legislating of the CAFE really pisses me off.

Sven

C7 will have very negligible effect on GM's overall fleet mpg rating. I think this article is off-the-mark.

vinsvette

Yep, this might be the watershed for high hp cars coming out of Detroit.
Even Jay Leno said while helping to auction off the new 620hp ZR1 at Barrett Jackson that with the new cafe limits this might be the last high HP Corvette we see for a while.
Strange, with the new Challenger coming out this year it feels like 1971 all over again!

LTC Z06

My source confirms that the C7 is on hold.

ddecart

CAFE numbers are NOT the same as the EPA numbers on the window sticker. The CAFE numbers are based on "uncorrected" fuel economy figures and are higher than the published EPA numbers. Yet another sign of how f'd up this whole thing is. Oh, did I mention that the EPA is not in control of administering CAFE? Nor is the Department of Energy. It would be NHTSA that's in charge of it.

simivette

Not to change the subject here on EPA ratings, but I just bought a brand new Chevy 1500 Four Wheel Drive Regular Cab Shortbed Pickup last week. Window sticker states 16/20 mpg. There is no way in H@ll I could possibly drive it any smoother or slower. Avg. fuel economy is 12.8 mpg. This is with the 5.3 multi displacement engine. I think GM must be bribeing the EPA. My old Vette gave great avg numbers and the '06 GTO I traded in, avg. 22 mpg. I really wonder if their trucks are incorporated into the CAFE calcs. It seems to me that they are'nt, and it shows.

C5R USA