XLR Official

[Dale S.]

Re: XLR Official

We watched them build them at Bowling Green last summer. Not much going on around them, I think the guide said they hand built 10 or 15 a day. It was not much compared to the speed of the Corvette line and there was no moving line over there. D/

[Terry M.]

Re: XLR Official

it also uses the same type composite body panels as the corvette

I didn't know that -- I learn something all the time.

[Clem Z.]

Re: XLR Official

I didn't know that -- I learn something all the time.

i consider it a day lost when i don't learn something new. my problem at my age is remembering what i learned new.

[Joe L.]

Re: XLR Official

the LS series V-8 will fit into a solstice and GM even sold a kit to do this.

clem-----


I don't know if the LS series engine will still be around by that time. It all depends what direction that GM goes in for trucks. If truck V-8 gasoline engines continue, then some sort of V-8 engine will continue to be manufactured, be it the LS engines or some successor. If trucks drop V-8 gasoline engines, then I see the whole LS engine family being dropped. It's somewhat possible that small displacement LS engines will continue IF their use in trucks continues. However, I really cannot see GM beginning or continuing the development of any successor V-8 engine. Already, they've dropped the Northstar successor engine and when the Northstar soon "goes away", Cadillacs will be powered by V-6 engines only. I believe that Northstar production ends after the 2010 or 2011 model year. At that point, the Livonia, MI plant where it is produced will close.

The current fuel economy standards, and especially the California standards to be adopted by quite a few states when EPA finally grants the waiver are going to cause a MASSIVE and PROFOUND shift in powertrains for cars as we have known them. It's not going to be like the mid-70's-early 80's all over again. It's going to be a DRAMATICALLY greater change than that.

One little "side-bar" here: when Ford many years ago shifted it's whole V-8 engine strategy to rely on the "modular", overhead cam V-8 engines, they locked themselves into smaller cid engines. When the "horsepower" wars heated up again, they were "left in the dust". They finally squeezed 5.4L out of the modular V-8, but they were still way behind GM and Chrysler. That's why they needed supercharging for the Ford GT engine in order to get to the required horsepower.

Finally, Ford set out on a new V-8 engine program which will allow them room for much greater cid V-8 engines. That engine is soon to be released. Just in time for its OBSOLESCENCE. As the 4.6L "modular" engine was the "answer to the question nobody asked" shortly after it was introduced, the new engine will be the "answer to the question nobody asked" at the moment of its introduction.

[Clem Z.]

Re: XLR Official

if calif get their way,remember those 600 cc 2 cylinder honda cars of the 50s or 60s,they will be the norm i am afraid.

[Joe L.]

Re: XLR Official

if calif get their way,remember those 600 cc 2 cylinder honda cars of the 50s or 60s,they will be the norm i am afraid.

clem-----


I think that California is going to get its way, and I think that's going to, ultimately, "drive" the whole national issue since, unlike 35 years ago, there are now a lot of states that are going to adopt California's standards. I think the automakers, especially given their financial problems, will just make cars to the California standard and sell them everywhere (there's nothing in federal law that says that cars can't have greater MPG than the federal requirements). Plus, I expect that we'll see congress, at some point, adjust the federal standards to match California, especially after a few more states sign on to the California standards.

Some months ago I read in Automotive News that a GM Powertrain engineer said "...you're going to see 4 cylinder engines in vehicles that you NEVER thought you'd see a 4 cylinder engine installed in...". And, that was BEFORE the California standards looked like they were going to become reality; he was talking only in the context of the federal standards.

The Chevrolet Volt is going to use a 3 cylinder engine. I think you'll see this engine in a lot more cars than the Volt and some won't even be hybrids.