Find Reviews by Make:
We will only do a hybrid if that is what is required to maintain the vehicle. I think we have a pretty good plan right now that probably will not require a hybrid in the near term . . . I don’t believe that we need to do a six-cylinder engine in a Corvette at this time.
GM’s Tom Stephens, promising Automotive News [sub] that new efficiency standards won’t tame Chevy’s little red love machine. Incidentally, GM has already developed a hybrid ‘vette. In theory.
19 Comments on “Quote of the Day: Got to Find a Love that Lasts Edition...”
Read all comments
Can’t keep putting great stonking V8s in everything forever, gentlemen. Time’s got to come when you have to be sensible about a vehicles powerplant.
Halo car or not, The Corvette is an anachronism. I’d be glad to see the brand retired as the only people who I have ever seen driving one in my lifetime are mid-life crisis dweebs who never, ever use the vehicles full potential or power, so why even bother making them stupid powerful in the first place?
The Corvette is the middle age “I can still get chicks” viagra car.
We will only do a hybrid if that is what is required to maintain the vehicle.
Sounds like the old GM to me. We only roll out new technology when the government holds a gun to our head. What? A 3L DOHC, 5-valve per cylinder, turbo/supercharged(with variable turbine geometry), direction injection, variable valve timing equipped V-8 with regenerative braking? No, never! We’re going to cling to our ancient technology as long as possible.
just because you can build it, doesnt mean you should. 6 cylinder, hybrid Corvettes, that is.
No, never! We’re going to cling to our ancient technology as long as possible.
No kidding, the engine in my 1999 Toyota Camry is likely more advanced than the archaic lump they put in the corvette.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_MZ_engine#1MZ-FE
It’s rather pitiful that the boring Japanese transportation appliance has more advanced technology than the supposedly superior ‘merkin Corvette. Way to go GM!!
Nice spin on this.
Autoblog ran the story with a page-hit fodder “GM Considering Hybrid ‘Vette” tagline. So did a few others who ought to know better but could resist trading integrity for pennies on the click.
I’m not that interested in buying a Corvette, but I’d love to drop it’s aluminum pushrod V8 into something else like a BMW. The LS2 engine is a fairly compact and light weight engine considering it’s power output. If the Corvette needs to become more fuel efficient, it should return to its original size and use a smaller V8 to accelerate a lighter car.
Powerpeecee,
This is not Autoblog. Please do not make it a DOHC vs. OHV contest. Besides, had you been paying attention, Chevy did do a DOHC V8 for the Corvette, the first ZR1. Since you already know how to use Wikipedia, please do some research.
In any case, some day you might come to realize that the goal is to produce as much horsepower and torque as possible and that it doesn’t matter how it’s produced.
I want to see more roadster hybrids. But not from GM; they are not capable of doing it right and standing behind their work.
BTW, the picture is cute.
And her parents are preparing her for the reality of owning one of these… “General Maintenance.” I owned a 2000 Corvette, I speak the truth.
James2, I still say it’s an archaic lump of a boat anchor. Nothing will change my mind on this matter.
I’m sure that if GM could get away with it they would build them with a flathead/sidevalve engine, like a Briggs and Stratton lawnmower :p
Also the goal should not be to produce as much power as possible above all else. Brakes and Suspension, anyone? You have to have balance. There is such a thing as “enough power” The Dodge viper is an example of “MOAST POWaR” above all else and it’s just a little unruly. A little.
I think the discussion of whos engine is old technology is appropriate given the topic of the discussion is “is GM going to be forced to change it’s engine technology”.
ZoomZoom, it really should be “General Malarkey” or “Great Malevolence” or something :p
Edit: While I am being a shit and talking down the Corvette – LEAF SPRINGS! lol oxcart lol.
powerpeecee: LEAF SPRINGS! lol oxcart lol.
1) The leaf springs (one per axle) are transversely mounted, so the geometry is not like the old leaf spring suspension (two per axle, mounted longitudinally).
2) When mounted traversely the leaf spring also acts as a anti-roll bar. (The original concept was to eliminate the anti-roll bar altogether to save weight. Ultimately this would have made the leaf spring too heavy so small anti-roll bar was installed. This still gives an overall weight savings.)
3) The leaf springs are multi-layer composite material not old fashioned steel.
From an ill informed perspective the Corvette looks old school (push rod V8 anyone?) but upon closer inspection it is an excellent piece of engineering at a great price point. Gives me hope that there may be life left in the old General.
Just as Porsche engineered-out the inherent problems with a rear engined car, Chevy engineered out the limitations of push rods, leaf springs, etc.
BTW I am not Corvette (or Porsche) fan boy but I call ’em like I see ’em.
There’s nothing wrong with keeping the engine in the Vette the way it is; the V8 is the car.
There’s also nothing wrong with creating a new sports vehicle based on hybrid technology with a 6.
Just don’t over-produce and flood us with either of them. Oh wait, nevermind…
powerpeecee said “No kidding, the engine in my 1999 Toyota Camry is likely more advanced than the archaic lump they put in the corvette.”
Too bad the LSX engine won’t sludge up with oil and throw a rod like your hi-tech camry. Also it’s too bad most of the people on the site are too nieve to understand OHV is NOT a disadvantage or old technology in any way. DOHC engines are huge compared to OHV engines even though they may be a smaller displacement. See this picture of a ford 4.6 next to a 5.0 (Link below). If you could build a 10L OHV engine that weighs 450 pounds and produces 1000 horsepower vs a 5L DOHC engine that produces 600 horsepower that weighs the same 450 pounds, even though it has a higher (meaningless) hp/displacement, in reality it is a less efficient engine per pound and overall volumetric efficiency since its huge size penalty vs the OHV engine.
I realize this is an Anti-American website, so let me bash the Corvette so I can fit in.
“That picture is cute and having kids playing with plastic Corvette’s will get them ready for when they get the chance to ride in a real one since it’s interior has cheap plastics and razor sharp edges that needs filed down.”
Maybe Mattel shipped her a ringer car so the executives didn’t realize how bad their products are.
Picture Link
In any case, some day you might come to realize that the goal is to produce as much horsepower and torque as possible and that it doesn’t matter how it’s produced.
Yeh, tell it to the bankruptcy judge.
And to think Johanna Quandt is still ensconced in her fortified Bavarian castle with her billions.
Also it’s too bad most of the people on the site are too nieve to understand OHV is NOT a disadvantage or old technology in any way.
Again, tell it to the bankruptcy judge.
I don’t think anyone ever passed on a Corvette because it had an OHV engine, or because of the fuel economy. The LS series are some of the best V8s made by any automaker when it comes to power, durability, size, and (yes) economy (for the amount of power they put out).
Should GM put LS engines into every car they make? Of course not, that would be ridiculous, but for CAFE concerns to limit the engine in a low volume sports car is one of the biggest problems with the legislation.
If GM wants to put money into improving the Corvette, the first place they should look is the interior.
I’d be glad to see the brand retired as the only people who I have ever seen driving one in my lifetime are mid-life crisis dweebs who never, ever use the vehicles full potential or power, so why even bother making them stupid powerful in the first place?
Then maybe you should spend less time whining on TTAC and go down to the track sometime. There are plenty of Corvettes there and a lot of those ‘dweebs’ can drive their asses off.
Also the goal should not be to produce as much power as possible above all else. Brakes and Suspension, anyone?
Perhaps you are unaware that there’s not a better braking or handling vehicle anywhere near the Corvette’s price range? I’m willing to bet that you wouldn’t be able to drive one anywhere near the limits.
No kidding, the engine in my 1999 Toyota Camry is likely more advanced than the archaic lump they put in the corvette.
Please explain how a Camry is superior and what constitutes archaic. Number of seats? Trunk space?
If GM wants to put money into improving the Corvette, the first place they should look is the interior.
GM knows that Corvette interiors aren’t that great; however, most of the people complaining about them wouldn’t buy one if GM sold them for a dollar. Corvettes aren’t meant to be BMW’s, they provide the maximum amount of sports car for the least amount of bucks – exactly what the people who actually buy Corvettes want.
they provide the maximum amount of sports car for the least amount of bucks
And that’s part of GM’s problem. They could have continued to lead the world providing superior vehicles and a premium price but they decided to go with the lowest common denominator.
The result was bankruptcy.
Selling to the ignorant mullets just didn’t work out as well as they might have hoped.
Comparing a Camry to a Corvette is like comparing a cat to a t-rex. Sure the cat is more evolved, but in the end it’s still a pussy.
^ Whatever, cave man.
Another thing I forgot.
Skip Shift. What in the blue hell?
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22corvette+skip+shift%22&btnG=Search&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=com.ubuntu%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&hs=3Lu&sa=2&cts=1253661468324
You really have to admire a car that comes with second and third gear disabled (unless you are bagging on it) from the factory. Enjoy lugging your pushrod iron lungs, fellas,