where are the choices of E85 flexfuel cars?

[briandors]

It's been years since "Live Green Go Yellow" was brought out as a GM marketing slogan.

And I really liked it!

Though I thought it was rolled out prematurely, since all they had were some trucks and the 3.5 in the Impala or Monte Carlo available as FFVs.

Fast forward to today.... Monte Carlo is gone. Only remaining car made by GM that is E85 capable is the Impala. And only if you want the smallest of 3 engine choices.

WHY?? There is finally a gas station in my area of Ohio that is selling E85. The proliferation of E85 pumps is slowly but surely spreading nationwide.

As I understand it, the changes to make a vehicle accept E85 are basic: larger injectors, alcohol proof fittings and lines. What could do that possibly run, $50 a car? $100 even?

Every single vehicle in GM's lineup should be FFV by now except for the extreme sports cars and possibly very high-end truck engines.

Please don't tell me that ethanol isn't sustainable long term for this country (probably true unless waste matter to ethanol conversion takes hold), or that it holds less energy than gasoline. I know that. We're talking about $100 a car. And I would guess at least 1/10 of the nation now has access to E85 pumps? It seems worth the expense, would give people choices, and would slightly decrease our dependence on foreign oil. It's a small win-win-win all around... but a win is a "WIN"!

It's frustrating and doesn't make sense to this life long GM fan.

[1999 White C5 Coupe]

Originally Posted by briandors

It's been years since "Live Green Go Yellow" was brought out as a GM marketing slogan.

And I really liked it!

Though I thought it was rolled out prematurely, since all they had were some trucks and the 3.5 in the Impala or Monte Carlo available as FFVs.

Fast forward to today.... Monte Carlo is gone. Only remaining car made by GM that is E85 capable is the Impala. And only if you want the smallest of 3 engine choices.

WHY?? There is finally a gas station in my area of Ohio that is selling E85. The proliferation of E85 pumps is slowly but surely spreading nationwide.

As I understand it, the changes to make a vehicle accept E85 are basic: larger injectors, alcohol proof fittings and lines. What could do that possibly run, $50 a car? $100 even?

Every single vehicle in GM's lineup should be FFV by now except for the extreme sports cars and possibly very high-end truck engines.

Please don't tell me that ethanol isn't sustainable long term for this country (probably true unless waste matter to ethanol conversion takes hold), or that it holds less energy than gasoline. I know that. We're talking about $100 a car. And I would guess at least 1/10 of the nation now has access to E85 pumps? It seems worth the expense, would give people choices, and would slightly decrease our dependence on foreign oil. It's a small win-win-win all around... but a win is a "WIN"!

It's frustrating and doesn't make sense to this life long GM fan.

I purchased a 2008 Impala LTZ with the 3.9 litre V-6 engine (not the smallest of the 3 engine choices) and it is E-85 compliant.

[likearock00]

Live Green, Go Yellow was introduced in February 2006. The flex fuel market was just starting to bloom and GM took advantage of it. The other manufacturers started looking at E-85, but also at hybrid technology. The Impala is the only E-85 car, but there are a few truck and van models that also use it. IMO GM is watching to see how the Malibu, Tahoe, and Aura hybrids do before they expand the E-85 program. If hybrids are a hotter market, then they will expand the hybrid line. It will take the fuel companies a few years before they can get E-85 to their stations. Until it becomes more readily available, there is no sense in expanding the lineup- especially when Toyota and Honda are mopping up the hybrid niche.

When the stations provide it, the companies will supply more vehicles.

[2b2]

I was thinking back around then that GM&Ford shoulda made as many of their engines E85 complaint as possible. It would have cost a bit (them &or us), but imho Now we'd have owners saying, "I'm so glad I bought American. They were really thinking ahead."

[shabodah]

I also am annoyed with the situation. If GM offered a forced induction engine that was flex-fuel capable, I'd probably own the vehicle it came in, regardless of what it was (even if a Saab *gasp*). And since forced induction and direct injection would go a long ways in making e85 more viable, it should have been out in 2006!

[briandors]

Originally Posted by 1999 White C5 Coupe

I purchased a 2008 Impala LTZ with the 3.9 litre V-6 engine (not the smallest of the 3 engine choices) and it is E-85 compliant.

Are you sure? Based on what, your owner's manual, or a yellow gas cap?

Because according to GM's E85 website the only 08 car is the 3.5 Impala.

Go here:
http://www.gm.com/explore/fuel_econo...jsp?deep=what#

And click "See 2008 FlexFuel Vehicle Details"

[chakis24]

why cant they do a E85 hybrid? that would make the most sense if you ask me. i think its a mistake on gm's part to not be spreading the flexfuel lineup. it can only help.

[1999 White C5 Coupe]

Originally Posted by briandors

Are you sure? Based on what, your owner's manual, or a yellow gas cap?

Because according to GM's E85 website the only 08 car is the 3.5 Impala.

Go here:
http://www.gm.com/explore/fuel_econo...jsp?deep=what#

And click "See 2008 FlexFuel Vehicle Details"

I am positive - yellow cap, window sticker, emblem on the right trunk lid.


You may review data here: http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/dom...age=7&butID=16

[briandors]

Originally Posted by 1999 White C5 Coupe

I am positive - yellow cap, window sticker, emblem on the right trunk lid.


You may review data here: http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/dom...age=7&butID=16

Well that's good news for you, and I'm glad there's a TINY bit more choice out there! But it's awfully dumb of GM for not having the correct info on their E85 site. That's where a consumer would go to see what they had to choose from, if they insisted on E85 capability.

After looking at the order guide for Chevy, I checked the Pontiac G6, also available with the 3.9. Found out that's the non-E85 LZ9, and yours is LZG.

So once again, just like with the 3.5 in previous years, they even take the time to build two versions of the same engine. The Impala ends up E85 ready, and the rest of GM's 3.9 OHV V6 cars don't.

[GMCSonoma]

IMO, every gasoline engined GM vehicle SHOULD BE E85 compatible...

Period...

[shabodah]

Originally Posted by chakis24

why cant they do a E85 hybrid? that would make the most sense if you ask me. i think its a mistake on gm's part to not be spreading the flexfuel lineup. it can only help.

Ford's Escape Hybrid is E85 capable. It's the only product on the American Market that I know of that is. Sad part is, it is the 2.3L engine, but it doesn't have the direct injection or turbo that it's Mazda cousins do.

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by GMCSonoma

IMO, every gasoline engined GM vehicle SHOULD BE E85 compatible...

Period...

Exactly. Exclamation mark.
The major changes would be to the hoses and to the engine computer, plus a few other tweaks. There's really no reason why it couldn't have been done cheaply.
Saab's already done most of the legwork on the EcoTec and HF engines. It's adaptable.

The benefit of using Saab's solution is that you are NOT dependent on the E85 infrastructure. If you don't have an E85 station near you, put gas. If you do... then put E85 or any mixture in between.

I still don't know why this hasn't been done.
You get the "green" boost because you're not emitting as much as you drive, and you get the additional power boost.

[Canyonaro]

Originally Posted by GMCSonoma

IMO, every gasoline engined GM vehicle SHOULD BE E85 compatible...

Period...

I too will agree, there isn't much that needs to be done to get any engine E85 capable so why aren't they?

[briandors]

Anyone at GM awake?? Your web sites still don't match. 2008 Impala online order guide shows the 3.9 to be E85 capable but your main GM E85 page says the only car you have is the 3.5 Impala.

If we found the Impala 3.9 is a non-advertised FFV, I wonder if GM has any other cars up its sleeve that are FFV but not indicated as such on the main web page??

http://eogld.ecomm.gm.com/NASApp/dom...age=7&butID=16

click "See 2008 FlexFuel Vehicle Details":
http://www.gm.com/explore/fuel_econo...jsp?deep=what#

[chakis24]

maybe theyre waiting for E100?

maybe they figure why waste the time on E85 and instead roll out cars E100 capable in a few years. in that case, thats fine. but im probably wishful thinking.