2007 Monte Carlo SS
 

Yeah, it turns out that it has a V-8 :o

Guilty pleasures, I admit -- but Scientific testing should make up for it, right? :D

There wasn't much to choose from the lot -- a bunch of SUVs, Vans, and the Monte. The SS badge (I'll get into that later) didn't really click with me that it had the LS4 under the hood -- I rented a Cobalt SS that was just a decal and bigger tires. It was apparent after startup and that rumble from the dual exhaust that this had some accelerating potential (and yes, some guzzle-ness).

Where the testing lies, is in the Cylinder Deactivation system, or "Active Fuel Management". This operates much better in the V-8 version than in the V-6 in the Impala earlier this year. Even with the same gear ratio as the last Monte (barely turning over at highway speeds), "4-Cylinder Mode" hangs-on longer, and offers more usable torque and better FE.

It's a fun car, but a lot of power, weight, and struggles for traction up front make it a big question mark (?). If you keep your foot out of it, a decent power-to-FE ratio can be achieved. But that's the problem -- the temptation is too great to feel that 300-some HP and 340-ish lb-ft of torque up to the 6000 RPM redline. Hopefully the Prius rental at 49.8 MPG over 500 miles earlier this week will make up for it :o . I'm going to try pumping up the tires to over 40 and see if that helps highway cruising. Right now it's sitting at ~24 MPG over 250-some miles.

Maybe in a later post I'll elaborate, but the "SS" badge has a rich history in automobiling, which has detracted from its roots with such things as the Silverado SS :confused:

RH77

There is nothing wrong in enjoying some power now and then. I can sympathize....

read about the new monte and gran prix w/ v8s, but can't remember. are they front or rear driven?

and yes SS has been tainted as of late. to me, one of THE most beautiful cars EVER made is the 2000 camaro SS!