CAFE rules put new Monaro/GTO and Impala on hold
Posted on Saturday 19 January 2008
GM’s RWD future was looking rosy until the U.S. government decided to vote in favor of new CAFE rules, forcing carmakers to improve the average fuel economy of their fleets to 35mpg by 2020. We were teased with all manner of RWD, V8 powered muscle cars, including sedans, coupes, and even a sports wagon but now many of these cars have fallen off the radar.
Some of the cars will still arrive, such as the Pontiac G8 range, Chevrolet Camaro, and possibly a G8 Ute, however, others such as a new RWD Impala and a next-generation Holden Monaro/Pontiac GTO are unlikely to see the light of day anytime soon. “I think (the Monaro/Pontiac GTO) is gone for now,” GM product czar Bob Lutz told GoAuto at the recent Detroit Auto Show. “We’ve got nothing in the product plan right now like that. We’d like to have, but you can’t do everything.”
Lutz revealed that the plans were dropped because of GM’s need to downsize its range in order for it to meet the upcoming CAFE regulations. “In terms of fuel economy, that’s not the end of the market where we want to stimulate demand,” Lutz explained. “We have to find ways to stimulate demand and desirability in cars that will get us closer to the 35 MPG average.
Instead the future lies in the new ‘Alpha’ midsized platform as well as SUVs derived from car platforms rather than a truck-base chassis. However, Lutz was quick to point out that Alpha still hasn’t been given the green light and that officials are first waiting to see how the entire CAFE deal pans out. If given the go ahead, GM will once again call upon its Holden division in Australia to develop the new Alpha range.
Bob Lutz (Mr. Contradiction) has a history of saying one thing one day and something else the next. I put no stock in what he says. He's got people on a roller coaster ride with his press release statements.
What he says today doesn't necessarily mean it will be what he means tomorrow.
On the upside-No more GTO's can mean ours may have greater historical significance down the road.
Yea, im holding on to mine as long as i can. Unless something goes wrong with my goat, I would have to settle for the upcoming G8 GXP. I wish they would bring the goat back in the future. If they do, it has to have more horses than we've got now! Gotta stay above the competition re: mustangs, chargers, camaros, challengers etc. atleast 600 would be nice place to start! Still above caddys, but uner the vettes. Then we could mod the heck out of them and nothing would get in our way! Not that anything gets in my way now! Id have to say, the picture of the G8 ST really did not look to bad, it would make a great daily driver! Oh, and for the historical significance, I hope everyone keeps all of their factory parts when making those modifications.
If GM is so dedicated to meet this new CAFE standard, they should green-light the "Trax, Beat and Groove" concepts. One for Chevy, Pontiac and GMC each.
I absolutely refuse to be muscled into buying something I do not want for the good of the economy, or it will help the stratosphere, or it will end global warming, or the car is biodegradable, after 10 years you can bury it and it will grow a tree.
I have talked to so many people who have bought cars they didn't want but did so anyway because it gets pretty good gas mileage. They drive unhappy and only smile when they fill the tank.
That line of thinking ain't for me.
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Last edited by GTO JUDGE : 01-29-2008 at 08:22 AM.
In my opinion the government should have set it's target on trucks not a companies full line up. Well except for Ford I guess, they cannot get good mileage out of anything except a Focus.
GTO JUDGE I completely agree with your thinking.
One thing that is funny as hell is this:
People buy these cars because they get 35mpg or a nice Hybrid may see 40mpg. Then they ask what my gas hog V8 gets for mileage. I love watching there jaw hit the floor when I say I get 32mpg highway!
Maybe the government should just out law women from driving SUV's also. Or offer an education class that shows them how to drive them.
I absolutely refuse to be muscled into buying something I do not want for the good of the economy, or it will help the stratosphere, or it will end global warming, or the car is biodegradable, after 10 years you can bury it and it will grow a tree.
I have talked to so many people who have bought cars they didn't want but did so anyway because it gets pretty good gas mileage. They drive unhappy and only smile when they fill the tank.
That line of thinking ain't for me.
I wasn't suggesting that cars like these should be all that GM sells, or that we, as in enthusiasts should drive. My logic is that if more of these are produced, that would help GM continue to make the stuff we like, as in RWD V-8 toys, and yet be more capable at reaching these new CAFE standards. Making Hybrid SUV's and such is all well and good, but I doubt a full-size SUV is ever going to bring the average MPG down enough to justify the continued development of cars like the GTO/Monaro.
I wasn't suggesting that cars like these should be all that GM sells, or that we, as in enthusiasts should drive. My logic is that if more of these are produced, that would help GM continue to make the stuff we like, as in RWD V-8 toys, and yet be more capable at reaching these new CAFE standards. Making Hybrid SUV's and such is all well and good, but I doubt a full-size SUV is ever going to bring the average MPG down enough to justify the continued development of cars like the GTO/Monaro.
I understand what you are saying. I like the way you think..... Let others drive them so we can drive our favorites.
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CAFE rules put new Monaro/GTO and Impala on hold
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Id have to say, the picture of the G8 ST really did not look to bad, it would make a great daily driver! Oh, and for the historical significance, I hope everyone keeps all of their factory parts when making those modifications.
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