News: Chevy Cobalt XFE (new model with top of class highway MPG)
 

GM has announced that their Chevy Brand's economy car has become even more economical.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.au..._cobalt_08.jpg

According to Autoblog, the Chevy Cobalt XFE (5-speed availability only), has ECU re-mapping, LRR tires, and maybe some gearing changes to yield 25 City and 35 Hwy for 2008 models, 37 mpg for 2009/2010.

RH77

Good news. It looks like they feel the pressure. Their research must be paying off.

It would be nice to see US automakers use more continuously variable transmissions. They really make a difference.

If by "research" you mean glancing over this site a time or two...

Of course. That's what I always mean! :D

Glad to see this. They also dropped a 6 speed auto tranny in their Malibu LTZ. It now gets the same mileage as their mild hybrid.

When you consider that a 68 VW Beetle got 34mpg on the highway 40 years ago, it makes you wonder at how much progress has actually been made over the past 40 years. Replacing the high maintenance points with an electronic ignition, eliminating grease fittings, and cleaning up the exhaust appears to be about it. They certainly haven't made much improvement in the fuel economy.

Nice find, Rick.

And GM even tells us what the new badge means:

We were never able to figure out what "XFi" mean in the old Geo Metros....

Xtra Frugal injection?
Xenophobe Financial independence?
X-Files immobilizer?
Xtraordinarily Frugal intentions?
Xtra Fuel inside?
Xample For insight?
Xtra Freakin inferior?
Xtinguishes Female interest?

I agree entirely
I am not sure what the new EPA ratings are doing to new cars but my old 2001 concorde (huge car w/ V6) got 30mpg regularly on the highway. I think a 60s AMC metroplolitan would get in the 40s.

Society has used our improved engineering and manufacturing ability to improve safety and emmisions, not FE.

This is good news. It is about time we get a low end American car with semi-good fuel economy. I would like to see more companies making different versions of there cars that have been modded for better mpg.