2015 Corvette Stingray Engine A Gas Saver? 30 MPG EPA Fuel Efficiency Rating Matches Horsepower [Video]

Could the 2015 Corvette engine give both high horsepower and good fuel efficiency? Experts are already estimating that the 2015 Corvette EPA rating may be around 30 MPG based upon the design of the new transmission.

As previously reported by The Inquisitr, the manual edition of the 2014 Corvette Stingray gets an amazing 17/29 MPG even though it’s powered by a 455-hp 6.2-liter LT1 V-8 with 460 lb-ft of torque. Even Ford realized that combining muscle power with fuel efficiency might be a good idea since the 2015 Mustang GT will have an engine option that gets 34 MPG.

As you already probably by now, the leaked 2015 Corvette Z06 convertible photos have already hit the internet ahead of the New York International Auto Show. Perhaps because of the leak, General Motors felt they had to say something about the news:

“The Z06 Convertible is a world-class supercar in every sense. Only a handful of convertibles in the world bring more than 600 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. Even fewer can match the advanced technologies, aerodynamic design, and visceral driving experience of the Z06 Convertible.”

Experts disagree on the estimates a little, but in general everyone expects the new 2015 Corvette engine to output at least 625 or 635 horsepower and 635 or 645 foot-pounds of torque from its new LT4 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine based upon comparisons to the coupe.

When we wrote the first article we also mentioned how GM was producing a new 2015 Corvette transmission called the 8L90, which is the automaker’s first 8-speed planetary automatic transmission developed in house. What we did not say at the time was that the 2015 Corvette fuel efficiency may see a noticeable improvement.

For example, Kavoos Kaveh, GM Powertrain’s Global Chief Engineer for 6- and 8- speed Automatic Transmissions, would not give exact numbers but he claims the 2015 Corvette EPA rating will definitely improve:

“No comment—but we’re giving the vehicle team a ratio spread of seven that’s wider than the current 6-speed and will be useful in improving overall efficiency. We’re very close to 30-mpg with the 6-speed car, so two extra ratios is something we like very much.”

The 2014 Corvette Stingray received an EPA rating of 16/28 MPG with its 6-speed transmission. The new design is eight pounds lighter and is expected to offer an improvement of at least five percent. Although, technically, that type of gain would only mean 29.4 MPG, some people believe the 2015 Corvette will be tuned just so it can hit that magical round number for marketing purposes.

Are you surprised Chevy will be able to give the 2015 Corvette horsepower combined with a good fuel efficiency?