[CapriceSS]

Just joined this forum to ask this question!
I missed my chance at the Pontiac G8 a few years ago and BMW got my money in the form of the 335i. Now four years later we have this nearly identical SS which I still find appealing BUT why the crappy MPG rating? If this is really the LS3 from the last generation Corvette, what happened to the vette's decent 16 mpg/26 mpg ratings? And many people would claim easy highway mileage near 30 mpg!
My 335 is of course a smaller car, but performs nearly at SS levels and on my commute (with a few lights) manages about 27 mpg overall. With the SS it sounds like I'll be giving up about 25% of my fuel efficiency...
Anyone with some real world experience with the SS able to get closer to the Corvette's numbers? I like the car but I can't get past the gas guzzler aspect of it!

 

[Navy Lifer]

Heavier than Corvette

Less aerodynamic than Corvette

Tuning for current emissions specs

Fuel quality - deterioration/dilution with ethanol

Seems like more effort could have been put into this--best approach would have been to make Gen V V8 (new LT1) part of the package from Day One. Since trucks are geting their version of this engine, it just seems illogical that GM would "saddle" SS with Gen IV engine & gas guzzler tax too....unless they really didn't want the car to be too attractive, and thus impact sales of other performance models. 6.2L EcoTec3 truck engine is also 420 HP.

Duh.....

 

[dz28]

C6 weighs about 3200-3300 lbs depending on model. The SS weighs about 3975 and is not nearly as aerodynamic. With that said I used to get better than 17.0 mpg with both my GXP G8's with M6 transmission in the city. Rarely drove either on the highway but better than 20.0 would have been easy although getting 26 probably required steady state 55 mph. For comparison I can tell you my AWD V6 Taurus SHO is averaging less than 17.0 mpg in city driving. I'm expecting about the same mpg with my SS (when built and delivered in spring 2014) as my GXP's and better than my SHO. 3.27 gear vs. the 3.70 in the GXP will make a difference even with the A6 trans.

 

[z51vett]

My 2 cents worth the gearing is 327 in the rear vett is 256 or something and weighs less as pointed out and aero. With all that being said I tend to drive a little harder in the SS I was getting 25mpg in the mountains of north Ga on the 4 lane driving along and not heavy throttle just crusing at 70 mph. So it's the driving technique or lack of if I tried and no jack rabbit starts and such yeah it's better. I run mobile one and think that will help also the car has only 1700 miles or so on it. Going to Florida and get some pure gas later on, and check it out to see what happens. When the new wears off or wife is regular driver it will improve run 93 octane only 10% corn squeezing's.
z51vett
Doug
The trucks and Camaros with autos are ls3's but are L99's 4/8 and such.

 

[Navy Lifer]

and no AFM or DI on LS3, where LT1/L83 (truck) has both....as well as higher CR

 

[west]

I had a 2008 C6 (LS3/A6/non-Z51) and quite often got 33-35 MPG on the highway at 70 MPH.

Personally I'd rather have the LS3 than the DI LT1, at least for the next few years.

 

[SlingShot]

I'm happy with the MPG rating of the SS. My Camaro SS gets 26mpg on the highway in light traffic running at 70mph, with around 13mpg city. On the other hand the best I've gotten out of my ZL1 is 19 highway, and if I'm having fun, 8 city.

 

[willy92]

Y'all don't know nuthin' about no bad gas mileage...

1991 454SS cam, headers and chipped...6-9 mpg - 13 on a long trip. 26.5 gallon tank I zero the miles at each fill up and never got more than 175 miles per tank unless I drove it out of town. The worst gas mileage of any car I've ever owned, but, it was a blast to drive up until someone stole it in 2007.

 

[chevypwr]

Is it possible the drivetrain setup is pulling more from the engine it should?
Might help to start with it's wheel horsepower.

 

[2074]

If you are deeply concerned with fuel economy the SS or for that matter any true "old school" performance vehicle is not what should be on your short list.

Higher fuel economy requires compromises somewhere somehow. DI. VVT. AFM. Gearing.

The SS is the last true "old school" performance vehicle without all that crap but with all the new tech bells and whistles that make it saleable and enjoyable. All for a surprisingly low price point given the content and performance.

That is why mine is on the Kentucky Highway .....

The budget was small for the SS program. Would you be willing to pony up another $10K+ to get the Stingray's engine? I wouldn't and for that matter not buy one with it even at the same price.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[PRLx1967]

I averaged 21 on a road trip of 600 miles in December. After the 689 miles I was down to 19.5 mpg.

I my G8 with the 6.0l got 23mpg. I will gladly give up 2-3 mpg for the LS3 and no lifter replacement after 30k miles, and the vibration of the DOD (AFM). Oh not to mention close to 80hp on the dyno.


Sent from AutoGuide.com App

 

[SlingShot]

Is it possible the drivetrain setup is pulling more from the engine it should?
Might help to start with it's wheel horsepower.

I would say not ... This setup with the LS3 and 6L80 seems to loose less power than the Camaro with L99 (400hp) and the 6L80. The Camaro with L99 is getting around 320-325rwhp on average. The SS with LS3 (415hp) seems to be getting around 360-365rwhp on average. I believe the trans gears are the same, and the rear gear is for sure.

 

[2074]

Y'all don't know nuthin' about no bad gas mileage...

For the young'uns from an old'un:

'68 Wildcat: 6MPG premium leaded Sunoco 260 suburban driving. Maybe squeak 10 if you didn't get into the secondaries on the Q-jet! NEW!

"71 AMX ... yes one of the 2054 AMX's. 360 2BBL, Torque-Command, single exhaust, power DRUM brakes. A miser ... 12MPG all the time on regular! That was a big 2BBL ... NEW! Oh, and it was big bad blue with the white and black vinyl interior. Surprisingly fast but the brakes were dangerous as were the VACUUM wipers!

'73 Cutlass Supreme DSO car ... 350HP, 4BBL, 4 bolt, Factory Duals, 200BHP, Turbo 400? (if my memory is correct), Trailer Tow, Posi, factory delete vinyl roof and body stainless moldings and all rivets/holes. 8MPG suburban but I had to run Premium Sunoco 260 'cause it would ping on regular even though regualr was what it called for! Maybe squeak almost 12 if you stayed out of the secondaries on the Q-jet. NEW!

Going fast isn't cheap!

 

[SJersey SS]

For the young'uns from an old'un:

'68 Wildcat: 6MPG premium leaded Sunoco 260 suburban driving. Maybe squeak 10 if you didn't get into the secondaries on the Q-jet! NEW!

Wow same here! I drove a 66 Buick Wildcat back in early 70s, didn't even worry about mpg, gas was only $.32 per gal.

 

[LT5 John]

I have a 48 mile commute...At 70-73 MPH the info center shows 22.2 mpg

 

[thedarkside]

to repeat...if you are buying a 47K$ car...and you are worried about gas mileage...go buy a couple of prius/priui...what the heck is plural for prius?

 

[LT5 John]

to repeat...if you are buying a 47K$ car...and you are worried about gas mileage...go buy a couple of prius/priui...what the heck is plural for prius?

Prius-es? prei?...:signlol:

 

[Ctsv4now]

I believe the plural of Prius is ovaries. :thumbsUp:

 

[fincherific]

My readout indicated 17.5 MPG on my first full tank, good mix of city and highway. Only 500 miles on the Odo so it should improve.

 

[2074]

I believe the plural of Prius is ovaries. :thumbsUp:

THANKS a LOT ... now I have to clean my Imac screen!