When Chevrolet released the first Corvette in 1953, there was nothing further from the minds of the advertising department than the fuel consumption of their new baby. It was all about the speed and the looks. All the copy in the ads was about V8 power, 7 liters of power, zero to sixties and top speeds. There may have been some information on fuel consumption, but this was generally only as it was a legal requirement, and it would have been so small at the bottom, that you would never have noticed it.
Sadly times have changed, and not for the better for lovers of big V8’s. Owners of large gas guzzling cars are having a hard time justifying their choices in an era of global warming and soaring oil prices.
The recent release of the EPA estimates for the latest update for the 2014 Stingray, the LT1 455 hip 6.2 liter V8, gives some hope for those trying to justify buying one. Through some very clever engineering, including direct injection, variable valve timing and Active Fuel Management, the engine now produces more horsepower than it predecessor but uses less fuel. The new model returned a result of 17/29 mpg as compared to 16/26 previously. The three mpg saving may have something to do with the new Active Fuel Management system that can shut down four cylinders when cruising the highway. There is also an ‘Eco’ mode, that can be selected at any time.
The above figures may not be want you want to hear about a muscle car, but they may give you an excuse to buy one.
