Am I missing something here?

[smackyu]

BMW M3: 4.0 V8, 414hp, 295 lbs of torque, estimated MPG: 14/20
Corvette Z06: 7.0 V8, 505hp, 470 lbs of torque, estimated MPG: 16/26
Corvette ZR1: 6.2 supercharged V8, 638hp, 604 lbs of torque, estimated MPG: 14/24

What happened to German Engineering? Can't they make the M3 V8 more fuel efficient? I'm no tree hugging, hybrid loving person, but I'll take that xtra 200 HP!

[footie]

Originally Posted by smackyu

BMW M3: 4.0 V8, 414hp, 295 lbs of torque, estimated MPG: 14/20
Corvette Z06: 7.0 V8, 505hp, 470 lbs of torque, estimated MPG: 16/26
Corvette ZR1: 6.2 supercharged V8, 638hp, 604 lbs of torque, estimated MPG: 14/24

What happened to German Engineering? Can't they make the M3 V8 more fuel efficient? I'm no tree hugging, hybrid loving person, but I'll take that xtra 200 HP!

No, you are not. To get over 100hp/Ltr requires more fuel and air, the Z06 is only producing 72hp/Ltr and even the ZR1 which has FI is still only producing 102.9hp/Ltr. The M3 without the supercharger is beating that with 105hp/Ltr, so the engineering is there only the priorities are different.

[GnokGnik]

I am not really fond of an enormous engine (think SRT-10), but I am surprised if those #'s are valid.

Maybe Wankel-rotary engines are most refined?

[M3WC]

Originally Posted by smackyu

What happened to German Engineering?

You are funny.

[RandyB]

Not to mention both Corvette variants are significantly lighter than the M3, which plays a major role in fuel economy obviously. I prefer 'German Engineering'.

[Big Windy]

Originally Posted by RandyB

Not to mention both Corvette variants are significantly lighter than the M3, which plays a major role in fuel economy obviously. I prefer 'German Engineering'.

Just going to mention the weight factor. Does gearing play a role too?

[kevinD]

Originally Posted by footie

No, you are not. To get over 100hp/Ltr requires more fuel and air, the Z06 is only producing 72hp/Ltr and even the ZR1 which has FI is still only producing 102.9hp/Ltr. The M3 without the supercharger is beating that with 105hp/Ltr, so the engineering is there only the priorities are different.

cylinder deactivation would be my first though for improving mileage... it doesn't require any extra weight, just some additional ECU programming.

[thefly]

none of the vettes have cylinder deactivation. it is simply weight and coefficient of drag.

[OBI_agent]

Yo op....you should have taken a look at the weight too.....Zo6 and ZR1 are 500 and 300 pounds lighter then M3....that could also be a reason!
+M3 is a high revving engine.......High revving engines don't usually get great gas mileage.