xcel
06-30-2008, 03:54 PM
Fuel-efficient vehicles garner new cachet. (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080629/COL14/806290584/1014/BUSINESS01)
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_Chevrolet_Cobalt_XFE.jpgMark Phelan - Detroit Free Press - June 30, 2008
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE -- 25/37 City/Highway per the 08 EPA matching the mighty Corolla on the highway.
In the near future, anything under 40 mpg highway will be a gas guzzler ;) -- Ed.
Get ready for Green Chic.
For decades, automakers have sold special models that promise extra performance and off-road ability. Established badges like SS, GTI and Trail Rated soon may be joined by a new line of sub-brands identifying models as having exceptionally low fuel consumption and environmental impact.
That's already happened in Europe, home to sky-high fuel prices and powerful Green political parties. Good fuel efficiency has become synonymous with social responsibility across the continent.
Now General Motors has tweaked two of its U.S.-built compact cars for better fuel economy and taken the unusual step of using the same name -- XFE -- for the trim level on cars sold by two different divisions.
The Chevrolet Cobalt XFE and Pontiac G5 XFE both offer better fuel economy than regular Cobalt’s and G5s, thanks to quick action by GM's engineering and marketing teams. The 2008 Cobalt XFE went on sale in April with a 9% improvement in its EPA fuel economy ratings to 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The Cobalt XFE gains another mile per gallon on the highway for 2009, improving to 37 mpg The Pontiac G5, which sells in far lower numbers than the Cobalt, matches the Chevrolet's fuel economy.
To get the improvement, GM engineers revised the cars' engine calibrations, changed their final-drive ratio and switched to low rolling-resistance tires. Those modifications mean the XFE's acceleration and handling are not quite as good as other Cobalt’s and G5s, but the trade-off created a new model that was right for the times and ripe to be advertised… http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080629/COL14/806290584/1014/BUSINESS01
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_Chevrolet_Cobalt_XFE.jpgMark Phelan - Detroit Free Press - June 30, 2008
2009 Chevrolet Cobalt XFE -- 25/37 City/Highway per the 08 EPA matching the mighty Corolla on the highway.
In the near future, anything under 40 mpg highway will be a gas guzzler ;) -- Ed.
Get ready for Green Chic.
For decades, automakers have sold special models that promise extra performance and off-road ability. Established badges like SS, GTI and Trail Rated soon may be joined by a new line of sub-brands identifying models as having exceptionally low fuel consumption and environmental impact.
That's already happened in Europe, home to sky-high fuel prices and powerful Green political parties. Good fuel efficiency has become synonymous with social responsibility across the continent.
Now General Motors has tweaked two of its U.S.-built compact cars for better fuel economy and taken the unusual step of using the same name -- XFE -- for the trim level on cars sold by two different divisions.
The Chevrolet Cobalt XFE and Pontiac G5 XFE both offer better fuel economy than regular Cobalt’s and G5s, thanks to quick action by GM's engineering and marketing teams. The 2008 Cobalt XFE went on sale in April with a 9% improvement in its EPA fuel economy ratings to 25 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The Cobalt XFE gains another mile per gallon on the highway for 2009, improving to 37 mpg The Pontiac G5, which sells in far lower numbers than the Cobalt, matches the Chevrolet's fuel economy.
To get the improvement, GM engineers revised the cars' engine calibrations, changed their final-drive ratio and switched to low rolling-resistance tires. Those modifications mean the XFE's acceleration and handling are not quite as good as other Cobalt’s and G5s, but the trade-off created a new model that was right for the times and ripe to be advertised… http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080629/COL14/806290584/1014/BUSINESS01