Robert Lutz, vice chairman of global product development for General Motors, issued a warning for buyers of high-horsepower cars.
Looking into the future, when the new federal mandates on fleet fuel economy will demand an average of 35 miles per gallon, Lutz believes there will be little or no room for cars with high horsepower ratings.
He specifically said the new 2009 Camaro, which will hit showrooms around January, may only have a lifespan of
three or four years. He also said V-8-powered cars of all styles are likely to be supplanted by high-tech V-6 models or four-cylinder versions with a boost from a hybrid electric power plant.
Manufacturers may be able to get the fuel mileage- city and highway combined- for trucks and sport utility vehicles to 30 miles per gallon. But for each of those vehicles they sell, they'll have to sell a sedan that gets 40 mpg or more to meet the fleet average.
That means there's little chance GM will continue to build cars like the new Corvette ZR1, with its supercharged, 6.2-liter V-8 that produces 620 horsepower.
All of this is nothing new to us. We can all see the writing on the wall. Let's just enjoy the current muscle car war while it lasts!
