REPORT: GM willing to investigate hybrid tech, low-rolling resistance tires if Corvette's survival depends on it
Is GM really considering a hybrid Corvette? Tom Stephens, GM's vice chairman of global product development, says it's a possibility. However, Stephens' comments are based on the new CAFE standards -- 35.5 mpg by 2016 -- and would only happen if the Corvette's livelihood depends on fitting a hybrid drivetrain.
With Porsche, Audi, Mercedes and others showing electrics and other alternatively powered sports cars, and some companies doing nothing but hybrids or electrics (see: Fisker and Tesla), it isn't hard to imagine an electrically boosted fiberglass flyer. The question is whether or not Corvette buyers would even consider a hybrid.
For now GM thinks they have a good enough plan to keep the Corvette electron-free. Until a hybrid is the only option, expect future 'Vettes to be made lighter, and equipped with low rolling resistance tires, direct injection, variable valve timing, and cylinder deactivation to make them more fuel frugal. Even electric power steering can boost mileage by half a gallon. So although a hybrid Corvette hasn't been ruled out, Stephens does say that we shouldn't expect a six-cylinder in the 'Vette's engine bay anytime soon.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
TGear 3:32PM (9/21/2009)
I hope we never have to see a hybrid powered Corvette! V-8s forever!
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Rich 7:11PM (9/21/2009)
Your loss, mate.
Nick 8:30PM (9/21/2009)
"I hope we never have to see a hybrid powered Corvette! V-8s forever!"
Idiot.
artandcolour 3:32PM (9/21/2009)
electric generators/motors put out 100% of their torque from 0 RPM. i don't see why anyone wouldn't want that sort of boost to their gas engines. they said hybrid, not full electric. if they could boost mpg by a significant margin, and keep the muscle sounds and everything 'vette owners appreciate, and add instant torque, i don't see any problem with that at all. it's the future, make the best of it.
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tankd0g 6:41PM (9/21/2009)
And of course electric motors and batteries weigh nothing so everybody wins! /sarcasm
Hike15 6:52PM (9/21/2009)
And if the vette weighed so much more there's just no point. Keep the weight down and powertrain simple!
zamafir 10:19PM (9/21/2009)
@Hike156 - thank you, someone gets it. GM built the VXR VX220 Turbo 6 years ago and it hit sixty in 4 seconds while returning over 30mpg. weight is key, intelligent design is key, and displacement to some extent. Trouble is, I doubt the vette's demographic is interested in something light and lithe and quick in the turns, well as interested as they are in something fairly large (compared to the VX), quick off the line and comfortable on long trips.
johncuyle 10:41PM (9/21/2009)
Corvette buyers tend to be interested in something light, nimble, quick in the twisties, quick in a straight line, fast, with good brakes, that gets 30MPG+ on the freeway, can be used for 800+ mile trips comfortably, and can carry a week's worth of luggage for two, for ~$50k. A hybrid would compromise pretty much all of that. We'd rather have a V8 than a turbo six as well. They get better mileage than turbo sixes, a fact my friend with a 300zx TT reminds me of constantly. Plus they sound better, are less complex, are cheaper to maintain, are more compact, and are more reliable.
GhostofPerdition 3:34PM (9/21/2009)
I dont see any reason at the moment why the corvette should be made into a hybrid vehicle. I have been getting a steady 32mpg from my z06 and sometimes more since i bought the car back in December of 07. I can see the top of the line zr1 needing to be more frugal, but for whats its worth i dont need any changed made to mine.
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Shawn 3:44PM (9/21/2009)
There are several reasons...at high speed, whatever gains you get out of hybrid systems are completely lost. The hybrid motors/battery packs add weight, combined with poor traction tires, you take the sport right out of it. Finally, cost. Vette have always been the poor man's super car; dollar for dollar best bang for the buck...now you charge a few thousand $$$ hybrid premium for no performance gains, what is the point?
I'm not against a hybrid "sports car" like a 2 seater Prius for hippies to pretend to be Speed Racer while hyper milling at 20 mph...but let's leave the Vette alone...
jpm100 8:25PM (9/21/2009)
All vehicles, including trucks must average 35.5. Since trucks will be lucky to see the high 20's, that leave all the cars to pull up the average.
Seminole 3:35PM (9/21/2009)
Those low rolling resistance tires are going to do wonders for the handling!!!
NOT! Dumbest idea ever.
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Throwback 3:41PM (9/21/2009)
Tire Rack and others, are 1 phone call away.
Ligor 3:58PM (9/21/2009)
I'm with Throuback on this one
do they think people that buy Vettes will just be happy with crappy tires
not only will they switch the tires adn loos any gains from them, but we will now have a wase of tires that will likely be thrwon out ahead of their treadwear - so we just creates some unnecessary waste
plesae leave the Vette alone - i'm ok with direct injection, some type of electronic valve control, but i'm not ok with adding some hybrid crap on the Vette
TonyInMI 4:14PM (9/21/2009)
Who the hell want's to pay for tires twice? The stock tires are excellent.
Azael 4:36PM (9/21/2009)
I'm sure the Corvette could destroy the crappy stock tires with a nice drifting session, then you can replaced those tires with some higher quality stuff. And those awful tires dont go to waste!
Stars Fan 12:59AM (9/22/2009)
I'm pretty sure anything is better than the runcraps that come on the vette. First mod I did was get a new set of tires on my Z06
GM blessed the ZR1 owners with Michelin Pilot Sport tires.
ack154 3:37PM (9/21/2009)
Would diesel be considered before any electric motors are attached? Or would that be even worse for the Corvette faithful?
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Todd 4:04PM (9/21/2009)
"corvette faithful"? A couple thousand well heeled consumers who's melancholy for a long gone past match the lingering GM execs who also wish it was 1965?
Corvette makes zero sense on the balance sheet of a bankrupt company that *must* return to profitability under the terms of court ruling.
There will be no more corvettes after current generation - ultra low volume specialty cars have no place in the "new GM".
TonyInMI 4:12PM (9/21/2009)
Car companies are successful when they sell cars that people want - not ones that merely balance spreadsheets.
Not focusing on cars that people want is what got GM into this problem in the first place.
A diesel Corvette? That's not even funny.