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ReprintsGM: Vette will survive
Rick Kranz
Automotive News
September 21, 2009 - 12:01 am ET
As the federal government ratchets up fuel economy standards, General Motors Co. says it will do whatever it takes to keep the Chevrolet Corvette -- even a hybrid powertrain. "We will only do a hybrid if that is what is required to maintain the vehicle," says Tom Stephens, GM's vice chairman of global product development. "I think we have a pretty good plan right now that probably will not require a hybrid in the near term." New regulations require a company average of 35.5 mpg in the 2016 model year. To boost fuel economy, GM plans to reduce the Corvette's weight, offer tires with less rolling resistance and offer an engine with direct injection, variable valve timing and cylinder deactivation. Electric power steering alone could add about 0.5 mpg. The base 2010 Corvette coupe has a 430-hp, 6.2-liter V-8 that gets 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway. As for a smaller engine, Stephens says, "I don't believe that we need to do a six-cylinder engine in a Corvette at this time. Meanwhile, Stephens says GM is no longer considering a unibody pickup like the Honda Ridgeline. c |
You can reach Rick Kranz at rkranz@crain.com.
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Tom Stephens: To keep the Corvette in an era of high fuel economy, GM would do a hybrid -- but that shouldn’t be necessary. |
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