Bye Bye To The American V-8...

[442w30]

Rob, I agree, and I apologize for implying it was just GM's fault - certainly the 1970s were a dark period for every manufacturer, and it took everyone a long time to get their junk together. Even with the advent of the 225hp 5.0 Mustang, it was a long time till it was improved upon. Even Ferraris were dogs!

However, today's times are different. We have Corvettes getting high-20s on the highway (with apologies to skip-shift!). Bland sedans like a V6 Accord regularly have acceleration that will rival the bulk of cars from the musclecar era. I think we're currently faced with an evolution of the automobile as personal transportation, but we're experiencing this at a point where we won't experience any dark age in regards to performance.

Plus, remember, CAFE is an aggregate regulation, so halo cars will continue to exist. The demise of the CTS-V, for example, has to do with GM's focus on getting back to health rather than the advent of the dark ages.

I really don't like what's going on between Detroit and Washington - I'm waiting with baited breath - but I'm merely acting as a hedge against those who think it's the end of the world. What would be the end of the world is if Detroit suffers more than it has.