Well, where to start???

First, I have no problem with you looking at whatever aspects of a potential car purchase you want to look at. Utilize whatever metric(s) you desire to help you decide. And I do not dispute your numbers.

I am just surprised to see a focus on one metric, to the (apparent) exclusion of all others.

0.5 – I like Torque. Great, steaming piles of (relatively) low speed torque. My bias. For me, this makes a car more enjoyable in the vast majority of my driving, where I cannot (legally and / or responsibly) explore very high speeds or handling limits. The feeling of effortless acceleration is something I can enjoy during much of my driving.

1 – HP / Liter of displacement is one measure of raw efficiency, I suppose. I think that HP / weight of motor might be another of potential interest here. With the LS4 weighing slightly less than the L67 S/C 3800, and developing an additional 43 HP and 43 TQ, it is certainly ‘better’, by this measure. And it produces EPA estimates (17 / 28) that are essentially the same as the CompG. I consider that a significant accomplishment.

2 – Another measure could be 0 – 60 & Quarter mile acceleration related to EPA fuel mileage estimates.

3 – One could also argue that a relatively low stressed V8 likely makes for less engine wear and tear, and better longevity, all other factors being roughly equal – or at least comparable.

4 – The Honda S2000 (now enlarged to 2.2L) still has a VERY high specific HP / Liter = 240 HP / 2.2L = 109!! But I found it not much fun (the 1 time I drove one, a2 liter version, some years ago) from an acceleration standpoint – at least at anything less than WOT and v. high rpm, as it made little torque low down – and really had to be revved to produce any acceleration. (TQ = 162 at [wait for it . .] 6,500 rpm!!) Yikes. Although sometimes that sort of driving can certainly be fun, I know that I would find that tedious as a steady diet. [[ And yes, it did handle very well. It was very agile. ]]

The Lacrosse 3.6L / 240 HP motor you mention only produces 225 LB/FT of torque. Personally, if I am only going to have 240 HP, I’d much rather have the 3.8L S/C torque of 280. But that’s just me. With a 3640 test weight, the Lacrosse Motor Trend tested produced (um) a rather uninspiring 0 – 60: 8.0 and a Quarter mile of 15.8 at 90.7. EPA estimates: 19 / 28.

Then there is the Honda Accord V6 Hybrid. I expect that there will be many more such vehicles in the future. A V6 – plus an electric motor (and batteries) to achieve decent acceleration – and exceptional fuel economy, given that acceleration. The only published test I can find at the moment is from C+D. The reported 0 – 60 at 6.7 and the Quarter at 15.2 at 93 mph. Not far off the GP CompG numbers C+D reported for an ’04. Yet with EPA City / Highway numbers of 30 / 37. Better even than the 4 cylinder Accord. What metric(s) would be appropriate to apply here?

Anyway. There are certainly a bunch of other data one could consider and weigh.

The numbers and (p)reviews I have seen suggest that the GXP will be fun to drive. That is one overriding consideration for me.

I am waiting to test drive one before making any further judgements.

- Ray
Almost resigned to driving 250 miles on Saturday to test drive one . .