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secondchance · 05-18-2009

Well, it seems the new administration has annoucenced new CAFE and emission requirement that will be imposed to automakers.
I caught it briefly on the evening news and from what I understand CAFE (auto and non commercial trucks) requirement is 35 by 2016 and emmissions at 25% of todays level.
I drove through a similar era, between 74 when I came to the US and 85 when L98 (correct me if I am wrong) was introduced in 85 when Corvettes finally had a 255 hp.
My first brand new car was 79 Trans Am. It had Olds 400 pumping out 185 hp, I think. My first Corvette was a 79 with a L48 at around 185 hp (yes L82 was available w/ around 220?).
It seems this new round will divert resources of all automakers to develop and meet these new CAFE and emission standards - translates to decline in performance.
This is a mixed bag of blessing. On one hand, this slow down will certainly make our ZR1s hold on to it's laurel and possibly even increase it's historic and dollar value. Also, this will keep precious gasoline price from going up at precarious rate.
On the other hand, at least for now, perhaps for ever, we may have lived through the renaissance of gasoline powered internal combustion engined cars.
Of course, I remember reminiscing over my early 70s Challengers back in early 80s not knowing what the future had for us motor heads. Perhaps, another 20 years, and I may be saying the same thing.

05-18-2009	#1
secondchance Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: McLean, VA Posts: 3,723	New Cafe Well, it seems the new administration has annoucenced new CAFE and emission requirement that will be imposed to automakers. I caught it briefly on the evening news and from what I understand CAFE (auto and non commercial trucks) requirement is 35 by 2016 and emmissions at 25% of todays level. I drove through a similar era, between 74 when I came to the US and 85 when L98 (correct me if I am wrong) was introduced in 85 when Corvettes finally had a 255 hp. My first brand new car was 79 Trans Am. It had Olds 400 pumping out 185 hp, I think. My first Corvette was a 79 with a L48 at around 185 hp (yes L82 was available w/ around 220?). It seems this new round will divert resources of all automakers to develop and meet these new CAFE and emission standards - translates to decline in performance. This is a mixed bag of blessing. On one hand, this slow down will certainly make our ZR1s hold on to it's laurel and possibly even increase it's historic and dollar value. Also, this will keep precious gasoline price from going up at precarious rate. On the other hand, at least for now, perhaps for ever, we may have lived through the renaissance of gasoline powered internal combustion engined cars. Of course, I remember reminiscing over my early 70s Challengers back in early 80s not knowing what the future had for us motor heads. Perhaps, another 20 years, and I may be saying the same thing.