Filed under: MPG, Chevrolet, GM, Pontiac, USA
More XFE models in GM's pipeline?
Back in April, we applauded General Motors and its decision to eke some more fuel economy from its high-volume compact car, the Chevrolet Cobalt. Along with the 9-percent increase in fuel mileage, the new model got a shiny new XFE (eXtra Fuel Economy) badge in the process. Pontiac is now offering an XFE version of the G5, which shares most major components with the Cobalt. We're happy to report that next year's Cobalt and G5 XFE manage to gain yet another mile per gallon on the highway, up to thirty-seven, to go along with their unchanged twenty-five city miles per gallon.
GM's XFE models are apparently selling rather well and were one of the reasons that the General chose to add a third shift to the Lordstown, Ohio plant where the compact cars are assembled. Additionally, the success of the badge may encourage GM to make similar fuel-savings changes to more of its cars. After all, low rolling-resistance tires, revised gearing and engine mapping are relatively minor changes which are fairly easy to apply on an older model. We look forward to the change.
[Source: The Detroit Free Press]
