The Impala isn't the only RWD car stuck in limbo while GM waits for the fog of new CAFE standards to lift: Motor Trend reports that now the C7 Corvette program has been put on hold, as well. We reported yesterday that the next generation C7 Corvette will bow out of the horsepower brinkmanship game and instead shed weight, engine displacement and ponies. The interim issue is that GM doesn't know what its EPA gas mileage targets are during the run-up to the 35 mpg fleet average in 2020, and those won't be sorted out until 2009. Until they are, GM is content to wait to sort out the next 'Vette, including whether or not it will retain its traditional layout, switch to a mid-engine layout or be offered as both. As a Vette owner and fan, this blogger is not against high-horse performance, but the idea of a light(er) C7 that focuses on power-to-weight and is "more fuel efficient [and] even nimbler than it was before" is an exceedingly tasty proposition.
[Source: Motor Trend]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
amastadon @ Jan 23rd 2008 12:37PM
I say keep it front-engined so it will still be the best performance bargin out there.
Cut weight and horsepower as long as the lbs/hp ratio stays the same.
zamafir @ Jan 23rd 2008 12:41PM
I'm not scared, GMs already built cars like the VX220 over in europe offering 0-60 in around 4.5 seconds and 30+ mpg.
Nathan @ Jan 23rd 2008 6:24PM
Give me a Vette with the DI engine from the CTS that is MR, and I will buy one ASAP.
*drool* mid-engine, high horsepower corvette *drool*
2004m3driver @ Jan 23rd 2008 12:38PM
That is awesome, finally someone is going in the right direction with less weight. *cough* Unlike a certain Bavarian company.
psarhjinian @ Jan 23rd 2008 1:14PM
Which Bavarian company? Heck, which German company? They're all brutally heavy cars for their size.
I got a kick out of the Jetta weighing more than an Accord (and, what, nearly a ton more than a Corolla?)
TMC @ Jan 23rd 2008 2:25PM
Jetta a "ton" more than a Corolla? Do you know how much a "ton" is?
Yes the MkV is heavy. Still returns mid-20s in mixed driving. Should return 40's when TDI finally gets back over here.
it's a transportation appliance, not a sportscar!
psarhjinian @ Jan 23rd 2008 3:22PM
Metric or imperial. :)
Yes, I was exaggerating for dramatic effect, but the MkV Jetta weighs a lot more (~3200 versus ~2500) than the Corolla, despite being about the same size. Granted, you get a lot of car, but that's a big increase in mass and, in real-world driving, the Corolla's is faster and gets better mileage.
Please excuse this interlude into econocar-land. Let's get back to salivating over the possibility of a Vette with 3-400lbs less on it's schnozz.
Dan @ Jan 23rd 2008 5:29PM
The new Corolla weighs 2,800 lbs per Edmunds. So do the Civic, Cobalt, etc.
2004m3driver @ Jan 24th 2008 7:56PM
guess you didn't get it. I was talking about BMW and all the added heft in their cars and their move towards larger displacements. 3650lb M3 anyone?
Benfolio @ Jan 23rd 2008 12:43PM
Nice Gallardo chop.
ricotubbs @ Jan 23rd 2008 2:10PM
Actually, I'm pretty sure it's a Cadillac Cien concept chop.
http://www.supercars.net/Pics?v=y&s=c&id=274&p=2002_Cadillac_CienConcept1.jpg
ricotubbs @ Jan 23rd 2008 3:40PM
http://www.seriouswheels.com/abc/Cadillac-Cien-Concept-1280x960.htm
Benfolio @ Jan 23rd 2008 11:08PM
Yeah, that's what I meant. That slow shifting POS from GT4. >:(
Corey W. @ Jan 23rd 2008 12:55PM
Great.... not again!!! Anyone remember when the C5 was almost killed.
jgp @ Jan 23rd 2008 1:00PM
CAFE is ruining the economy.
Every congressthing who voted for CAFE needs to be charged with treason for colluding against American interests. So should Bush, for not vetoing CAFE.
psarhjinian @ Jan 23rd 2008 1:09PM
A lack of foresight and discipline on the part of the American citizenry ruined the economy. Perhaps if people hadn't bought way above their means, and if the Fed and the financial sectors hadn't tacitly encouraged such behaviour since 2001, we wouldn't be in this mess.
Spending billions on a needless war and implementing slit-your-own-throat tax cust doesn't help, either.
The subprime mortgage crisis and accompanying credit crunch is the problem, not CAFE. CAFE, if nothing else, will probably spur R&D and prevent things like the War For Oil.
Rocketboy @ Jan 23rd 2008 1:18PM
Hate to burst one of your bubbles, but the 'spending on your needless war' is a lot less than what you're implying. Total military spending is only 19-20% of the total budget. That is not just spending for the current war, but to support the military as a whole.
http://www.factcheck.org/askfactcheck/what_about_ben_jerrys_chart_saying.html
tim @ Jan 23rd 2008 1:22PM
CAFE is ruining the economy? A wild statement with no specifics how. Like my dad you likely to Rush Limbaugh. If you look more at the long term this could really help the U.S. auto industry. The higher CAFE standards will make the big 3 more completive with Honda and Toyota, if you don't realize is really putting the hurt on them.
Joe K. @ Jan 23rd 2008 1:34PM
^^^Drunk^^^
And CAFE has nothing to do with anything. If people want things, others should be allowed to build it. This artificial floor being set will only limit personal choice. If people want to be stupid consumers and purchase based on poor decisions, it should not be my responsibility to bail them out. That way when they are bankrupt and I was wise with my money and investments, I am rewarded for my good stewardship.
bamboo @ Jan 23rd 2008 2:21PM
You can cry like a little girl all you want, but CAFE is the direct result of the big 3 not getting off their asses and doing something on their own sooner. It is their own fault they are in the situation they are in now, and if 1-2 of them go bankrupt, will suck for them, but their own fault. I bet the surviving ones will get in gear and start giving people what they want and need, instead of the crap now. And I can say that as I drive a FORD.
And stop trying to sweep the military and war spending under the rug!! You can try all you want to make it look small, but just a fraction of the money spent (and from numerous reports randomly wasted or lost and can't be found) could have completely changed the situation the economy is in now. Just in Iraq it has already cost $500 BILLION, with a B. Just a fraction of that could rebuild all of the faulty bridges we have in the US and most of the major road and highway problems.
But instead, we are building new bridges that we just finished blowing up in Iraq.
And I am a Republican, so don't even start liberal finger pointing.
And you think CAFE is the problem. What is wrong with you?