GM may consider putting a hybrid powertrain in the Chevy Corvette if the car’s existence is in jeopardy. The new CAFE standards, which dictate that an automaker’s entire fleet has to average 35.5 mpg by 2016, could force GM to be more creative with the Corvette in order to squeeze out extra gas mileage.
Tom Stephens, GM’s vice chairman of global product development, claims that GM has no plans of getting rid of the Corvette and if it’s necessary there is a possibility that the Corvette could one day become a hybrid. For now GM is going to focus on weight management, low rolling resistance tires, direct injection and cylinder deactivation to boost fuel economy.
