DFW Auto Club
09-21-2009, 03:52 PM
Filed under: Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/category/hybrids/), Performance (http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/), Technology (http://www.autoblog.com/category/tech/), Chevrolet (http://www.autoblog.com/category/chevrolet/), Rumormill (http://www.autoblog.com/category/rumormill/), Alternative Fuel (http://www.autoblog.com/category/alternative-fuel/)
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Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept - Is a hybrid powertrain in the Corvette's future?
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 (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/15/frankfurt-2009-porsche-confirms-development-of-electric-sportsc/), Audi (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/15/frankfurt-2009-audi-e-tron-is-red-outside-nice-inside/), Mercedes (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/15/frankfurt-2009-mercedes-benz-sls-amg-comes-dressed-in-red-and/) and others showing electrics and other alternatively powered sports cars, and some companies doing nothing but hybrids or electrics (see: Fisker (http://www.autoblog.com/make/fisker/) and Tesla (http://www.autoblog.com/make/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.
[Source: Auomotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090921/ANA03/309219948/1128 &AssignSessionID=273356964202841) - Sub. Req.]
REPORT: GM willing to investigate hybrid tech, low-rolling resistance tires if Corvette's survival depends on it (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/21/report-gm-willing-to-investigate-hybrid-tech-low-rolling-resis/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
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http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/stingrayc7_lead.jpg
Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept - Is a hybrid powertrain in the Corvette's future?
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 (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/15/frankfurt-2009-porsche-confirms-development-of-electric-sportsc/), Audi (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/15/frankfurt-2009-audi-e-tron-is-red-outside-nice-inside/), Mercedes (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/15/frankfurt-2009-mercedes-benz-sls-amg-comes-dressed-in-red-and/) and others showing electrics and other alternatively powered sports cars, and some companies doing nothing but hybrids or electrics (see: Fisker (http://www.autoblog.com/make/fisker/) and Tesla (http://www.autoblog.com/make/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.
[Source: Auomotive News (http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090921/ANA03/309219948/1128 &AssignSessionID=273356964202841) - Sub. Req.]
REPORT: GM willing to investigate hybrid tech, low-rolling resistance tires if Corvette's survival depends on it (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/21/report-gm-willing-to-investigate-hybrid-tech-low-rolling-resis/) originally appeared on Autoblog (http://www.autoblog.com) on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds (http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/).
Permalink (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/21/report-gm-willing-to-investigate-hybrid-tech-low-rolling-resis/) | Email this (http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19168543/) | Comments (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/21/report-gm-willing-to-investigate-hybrid-tech-low-rolling-resis/#comments)http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/f9lh8alHnmta6DqiWGUIuk0euqA/0/di (http://feedads.g.doubleclick.net/~at/f9lh8alHnmta6DqiWGUIuk0euqA/0/da)
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