Performance goals were set for both the car and its engine. The car was to be able to accelerate from in a maximum time of 11.5 seconds. The engine was to develop no less than , travel before requiring an oil change, go before requiring major maintenance, run for five minutes after a major cooling system failure, and offer a "limp home" mode. Market studies indicated that American buyers were more interested in having a reliable, low maintenance engine than in owning a sophisticated engine for its own sake.
