What is exactly the advantage???
We all know that Americans like to use big displacement V6 and
V8s... but what's the downside to that??? I used to think that
they must drink gas like crazy... but after some research.. this
is what I found.. (I only look at top performance engines..)

Vette Z06 405hp 400tq 5.7liter 19/28mpg
360 modena 395hp 275tq 3.6liter 10/16mpg
Z8 or M5 394hp 5.0 liter 13/21
01 M3 333hp 262tq 3.2liter 16/24mpg
S2000 240hp 153tq 2.0liter 20/26mpg

Basically.. this is comparing Vette's LS6 engine to the high
specific power representatives of V8, I6 and I4... (well, except
M5's engine)...

So what's the advantage(s)????

 

the only advantage I can think about is that the engine is lighter. that's pretty much it. anybody else??

 

I think those mpg numbers for the corvette are wishful thinking

 

If you drive a vette like I drive my S, you will be able to watch the fuel pin on the dash board fall like a rock off a cliff, you will literally be able to watch your fuel consumption happen while driving.

Walz

 

I agree, lightness. BTW, horsepower is a much more reliable indicator of fuel milage than engine size.

 

Your mileage may vary . . .

 

Production costs will be lower, although development costs will probably be higher.

Lower engine torque also means that you can do with lighter, less expensive transmissions, at least for components all the way from the engine to the final gear.

... and from the engineer POV it's a much more exciting endeavour than just throwing displacement at the problem...

 

Small displacement high hp engines are;

Cheaper to make,

Cheaper to maintain, (Hey it's got half the cylinders)

Weigh less, (this reduces cost across the whole car as the suspension components can be smaller and lighter, same goes for the frame, the car as a whole etc, etc.)

Take up less space, (again allowing for a smaller vehicle or a more creative layout)

And on average get better fuel economy.

The numbers for the Vette are based on its massive overdrive 6th gear. The Z06 runs about 2000 rpm at 65mph. It can do this because of the high torque that it has down low.


Hugh

 

Wrong! Ask some C5 owners, some of them have see 30mpg on the highway. Granted stop and go will exact a toll, but on the highway the engine is barely above an idle

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ElTianti
[B]
Wrong!