Quote:
Originally Posted by Dragoneye
Again, I say I don't think performance is going anywhere...and now, I feel comfortable ammending that I think radical improvements in fuel economy aren't necessary for them to exist.
Realistically speaking, the only thing preventing an automaker like GM from making every car a performance, fuel-slurping car...is CAFE. When I speak of CAFE, I get a nasty taste in my mouth...but that's about it -- because CAFE is little more than a nuisance, imo. GM almost meets the standards TODAY...
Continuing to speak realistically...GM's portfolio in about 4 years will be super-efficient. The addition of the Cruze(40+hwy), Spark(expected 45+hwy), Aveo replacement(at least the same as Spark), Orlando(see Cruze), and VOLT(100+mpg) will ensure that. And since CAFE is fleet-wide...this means that GM just afforded themselves lots of wiggle-room for performance cars.
Just my .02, I suppose...but I'm not worried, or sad.
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I hope you are correct in your assessment. Remember that the Government leadership can force GM to limit the amount of any type of vehicle they don't want to see many of as well. Ford doesn't have that problem so your scenario would apply to them more so. Let's hope supply isn't reduced because of CAFE standards or Government orders so prices can stay low on the base V8's.. Let's hope the current V8's aren't detuned to meet the CAFE standards either. Once GM reaches super-efficiency levels in 4 years, all that needs to happen is for even more stringent CAFE standards in you have V8's disappear altogether in 8 years just in time for electing a new President assuming Obama wins reelection. Overall things aren't looking good for the almighty and already efficient enough V8..