hmm.. A Chevy Equinox with the same engine and AWD gets 19/25 mpg

People need to look at the % of gain, not the miles. compare with the competition to. GM's V8 full sizers get better milage than imports V6 mid size trucks.

 

They need to make SUVs with carbon fiber bodies on aluminum frames

 

YEAH! lets make some z06 suburbans!

 

Well, carbon fiber bodies definitely wouldn't be realistic cost-wise... I can't recall if some of the C6 Z06's components are CF, but I'm pretty sure the majority of the body still isn't (though not metal, either).

The aluminum frame probably wouldn't add a whole ton to the cost but I wonder if they would be able to support towing loads as well? Realistically you're still only talking about shaving up to 100 pounds max on even the largest SUVs, I'd think.

While weight reduction would help a lot of things including city gas milage, I think aerodynamics (or lack of) is their main problem on the highway.

Our 4Runner has averaged around 21.5-22.0 city throughout its life but just barely hits 23mpg highway when averaging 75mph or so.

 

Threxx he was joking. But I do think that the Z06 uses CF for the front fenders and maybe the hood. The majority of the car uses SMC and plastic to comprise the body.

 

i thought we established we a sign of joking on a different thread or hinting at something

 

Threxx didn't seem to get it so I thought I would explain it.

 

FWIW, Carbon Fiber is used on the Z06 as follows:

Carbon-fiber front fenders, wheelhouses, and floorboards (with balsa core)

 

its so interesting I think every thread within the last month on this subforum, ends up analysing the z06, no mater what the original subject was... we end up just talking about the "regular" Z06

 

Seems that way, doesn't it?

Guess that's good for the General... everyone here should be lining up to place their orders!!

 

if GMAC is willing to do a -25% intrest rate for 10 years sign me up

 

I don't really think that a post about a carbon fiber/aluminum SUV really needs a to be taken as a joke. I figured a might spark some interesting discussion though.

 

I knew it was said in a light-hearted manner, I was just tackling it from a "what if" standpoint because I'm a dork.

 

The LSx series engines have always impressed me, and continue to do so.

 

They're getting a 15-20% improvement. You expected more than that from DOD and a six speed auto? The six speed really only gives a tiny amount, unless you are replacing an installation with a smaller ratio spread in which you had made a tradeoff in favor of higher performance.