New Eight-Speed Auto Transmission Could Boost Corvette Stingray to 30 MPG Highway

Who would have thought there would ever be a time when we’d be talking about great fuel economy with a high-performance car with an automatic transmission?

But these aren’t ordinary times, at least when it comes to the seventh-generation Corvette.

Chevy announced earlier this year that its new 8-speed automatic transmission is on the way in 2015 for the 625 horsepower (at least) Z06 and will likely also be an option for the 2016 base Corvette Stingray.

Already there is talk that the new automatic will more than likely add at least a couple of miles to the gallon for the Stingray, which would mean the 460-horsepower base model would be delivering at least 30 miles per gallon on the highway. We wouldn’t be surprised if on a long trip, that figure is even higher. Even my base model C5 gave me 27 mpg on my last trip from Georgia to Bowling Green.

Is that amazing or what?

If you have a classic Corvette, that 30 mpg figure sounds like a miracle, especially when your C2 or C3 is lucky to crack the 10 mpg mark.

Chevy’s engineers, however, have done their homework on the new transmission, and it’s likely to be a great marketing tool for the Stingray to be able to boast of that fuel economy for a car that can go from 0 to 60 in less than 4 seconds and can climb to nearly 200 mph.

While most folks who are shelling upwards of $60,000 to $70,000 for a Stingray aren’t too worried about fuel economy, it still adds another reason for enthusiasts not to feel too guilty about the effect the Corvette is having on the environment.

Look for the media to go ga-ga over the Corvette even more if Chevy does indeed deliver on the 30 mpg level.

Source:
TorqueNews.com

Related:
A Closer Look at the 8-Speed Automatic for the 2015 Corvette Z06
REPORT: 2015 Corvette Stingray Will Not Get Eight-Speed Auto Transmission
The 2014 Corvette Stingray’s 6-Speed Automatic is Rated 16/28 MPG by the EPA