The 2027 Chevrolet Corvette gains a new 6.7-liter LS6 small-block V8 that delivers significantly more power than the outgoing LT2, but the engine also comes with lower EPA fuel-economy ratings. Chevrolet has retained Active Fuel Management (AFM), rather than moving to the more complex Dynamic Fuel Management (DFM) system.
Why the LS6 Keeps AFM
Both AFM and DFM are cylinder-deactivation technologies designed to improve fuel efficiency. Some owners disable or remove these systems because they add complexity and have been associated with potential reliability issues, particularly involving their specialized lifters.
DFM is the more sophisticated system, capable of deactivating between one and seven cylinders depending on driving conditions. AFM, by comparison, shuts down a fixed set of four cylinders.
By using AFM, the LS6 retains the simpler of the two cylinder-deactivation systems, potentially reducing complexity compared with DFM.
2027 Corvette Fuel Economy Drops
AFM is intended to help the Corvette conserve fuel, although fuel efficiency is a different consideration for a high-performance sports car than it is for a mass-market model such as the Toyota Camry.
For the 2027 model, however, the EPA ratings are lower than those of the previous Corvette. The 2027 Stingray is rated at 15 mpg city, down 1 mpg from the 6.2-liter LT2 model.
Its combined rating also falls from 19 mpg to 18 mpg, while the highway rating remains at 25 mpg. According to the EPA’s calculator, the LS6 will cost approximately $1,250 more to fuel over five years than its predecessor.
The estimated total driving range also drops by 22 miles, from 352 miles to 330 miles. Natural Resources Canada reports similar results, rating the new Corvette at 12.9 liters per 100 kilometers combined, equivalent to about 18.2 mpg.
Meanwhile, the Grand Sport, which adds track-focused upgrades and widebody styling, carries EPA ratings of 15 mpg city, 23 mpg highway and 17 mpg combined.
LS6 Adds 40 Horsepower
The fuel-economy decline comes alongside a substantial increase in performance. The LS6 produces 535 horsepower, or 40 hp more than the LT2.
That additional power enables the base Corvette Stingray to reach a top speed of 200 mph. The LS6 also features a 13.0:1 compression ratio, a larger 95-mm throttle body and a tunnel-ram intake designed to improve airflow and performance.
Grand Sport X Adds Hybrid Power
Buyers seeking an electrified Corvette will have the Grand Sport X, which combines the LS6 with a front-mounted electric motor.
The EPA has not yet released fuel-economy figures for the new hybrid variant, which effectively replaces the E-Ray. The change in name may also help prevent buyers from mistaking the Grand Sport X for a non-existent all-electric Corvette.
More Power, With Cylinder Deactivation
Despite reliability concerns surrounding cylinder-deactivation technology, AFM can help offset fuel consumption as the latest Corvette gains considerably more power. The 2027 Corvette therefore combines the new LS6 V8’s higher output with the simpler AFM system rather than moving to DFM.
