LA 2007: Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
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Click the Malibu hybrid for a high-res gallery
Chevrolet first showed the new 2008 Malibu early this year at the Detroit Auto Show and it's now in production. This week at the Los Angeles Auto Show they are showing the new Malibu Hybrid for the first time at an auto show. The Malibu uses the same mild hybrid Belt-Alternator-Starter system as the earlier Saturn Aura and Vue Hybrids. In the Chevy, the system helps the car achieve EPA ratings of 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway, an increase of two miles per gallon in each case. The system is basically an automatic start/stop setup with a nickel metal hydride battery to capture some energy from regenerative braking and provide some power boost when needed for acceleration. The Malibu hybrid starts at $22,790, a premium of about $1,800 over a comparably-equipped standard model.
Gallery: 2008 Chevy Malibu Hybrid
[Source: General Motors]
AFFORDABLE 2008 CHEVROLET MALIBU HYBRID
COMES TO LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW
LOS ANGELES – Offering a competitive combination of refinement and fuel efficiency, the all-new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid, the most affordable hybrid version of a midsize sedan, made its auto show debut today at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Starting at $22,790, Chevrolet's first hybrid car delivers the highest fuel economy among all Malibu models – EPA ratings of 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway – without having the highest price tag.
"With the Malibu Hybrid, customers don't need to sacrifice style or capability to realize a significant fuel-efficiency gain," said Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper. "GM is committed to demonstrating environmental and technological leadership, and the full force of that capability is behind its biggest global brand – Chevrolet. The Malibu Hybrid is just one example of Chevy's Fuel Solutions technologies that will take us from gas-friendly to gas-free."
The Malibu Hybrid arrives in dealerships this month and offers a competitive combination of refinement and fuel efficiency. Standard features include automatic climate control, StabiliTrak electronic stability control system, 16-inch wheels and a driver information center with hybrid-specific information.
Malibu Hybrid models are easily distinguished at a glance, thanks to specific exterior appointments and badges. Inside, a unique gauge cluster provides information and feedback about the Hybrid powertrain's operation.
Hybrid powertrain details
The '08 Malibu Hybrid is equipped with the GM Hybrid system, which consists of:
- A precision electric Motor/Generator Unit replaces the conventional alternator. The 36-volt system is capable of 110 lb-ft (150 Nm) of auto-start torque
- Innovative power electronics that precisely control the Motor/Generator System
- A nickel metal hydride (NiMH) hybrid battery pack that is capable of delivering and receiving more than 10,000 watts of peak power. The pack consists of three 12V NiMH cassettes in series totaling 36 volts. Each cassette includes two 12V NiMH modules in parallel. They are located in the front of the trunk, taking up a minimal amount of cargo space
The GM Hybrid system is mated to a 2.4L Ecotec VVT four-cylinder engine and Hydra-Matic 4T45 four-speed transmission. This innovative hybrid powertrain is rated at 164 horsepower (122 kW)* at 6,400 rpm* and 159 lb.-ft. (215 Nm) of peak torque at 5,000 rpm.*
While maintaining the vehicle's sporty feel, the GM Hybrid system seamlessly reduces fuel consumption by:
- Shutting off the engine when the vehicle is stopped, to minimize idling
- Restarting the engine promptly when the brake pedal is released
- Using the motor/generator to bolster the gasoline engine at wide-open throttle, such as during acceleration or a passing maneuver
- Enabling early fuel shut-off during vehicle deceleration
- Capturing vehicle kinetic energy during deceleration through regenerative braking to charge the advanced nickel metal hydride battery
- Performing intelligent battery charging when it is most efficient
The GM Hybrid system also is designed to automatically maintain full accessory functionality when the vehicle is stopped, including climate control, so that hybrid operation is transparent to the driver and passengers. The Malibu Hybrid delivers an appropriate balance between fuel economy and cabin comfort with an air conditioning system with two selectable modes. The Hybrid A/C mode favors more fuel efficient performance by limiting the draw on the hybrid powertrain, while the normal mode provides maximum passenger comfort in hot climates and enhances defogging performance.
The instrument cluster of the Hybrid Malibu has been modified to advise the driver on operations of the hybrid powertrain:
- AutoStop indicator in the tachometer notifying the driver when the engine is in AutoStop mode
- ECO (Economy) indicator light notifying the driver when the vehicle is exceeding the EPA fuel economy estimates
- Charge-Assist gauge that indicates whether the system is charging or providing assist power
- The Driver Information Center (DIC) is programmed to provide messages specific to the Hybrid operation
The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is covered by GM's five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Additionally, the Malibu Hybrid's advanced nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery pack and other key hybrid components are covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
michael bell 2:50PM (11/14/2007)
is it me, or does a hybrid with only 2 mpg better gas mileage not seem worth the effort or the hype. my civic gets better gas mileage than this and its got a regular old gasoline engine. if this is GM's idea of an eco-friendly car, then i am far from impressed.
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BillC 3:50PM (11/14/2007)
My 2004 Malibu (with 100K miles on it) gets real world better mpg than the 2008 Malibu mild hybrid. What's the point at downgrading to a more expensive car just to say I drive a hybrid. I'm waiting for the volt's series drive train to be put into the Malibu.
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MikeW 4:44PM (11/14/2007)
What a terrible distraction.
The 6 speed auto should get 1mpg better city/highway than the 4 speed auto, without the $1800 premium for a slower car without a spare wheel with less trunk space.
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ryanne hodson 6:19PM (11/14/2007)
it's really sad that the auto industry thinks 32 mpg is something to strive for. we need to be pushing cars that don't use fuel, like um, electric cars that can charge at solar stations (that's my vote). hybrids getting 30 mpg or a wee bit more are going to be irrelevant when gas is $10 a gallon.
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Niles 7:10PM (11/14/2007)
$2000 for +2mpg. No thanks.
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TIMMAH! 2:22AM (11/15/2007)
Assuming you drive 12000 miles a year at 30mpg you'd be using 400 gallons/year. At 32mpg, you'd be using 375 gallons per year. Okay so that's a difference of 25 gals/yr. So how much money do you save? At $3.50/gal, that comes out to a whopping $87.50 per year by driving the hybrid. It's gonna take a long-ass time to make up that $1800 premium (not to mention battery replacement costs...)
This does not compute...
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Throwback 7:57AM (11/15/2007)
You also get a tax credit with this car which off-sets the premium some what. Eventually this car will be superseded by a dual mode version which should do as well as a Hybrid Camry.
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JM 10:35AM (11/15/2007)
Why can't GM use a real/full hybrid system in their chevy/saturn cars? When they first released the 'mild' hybrid Saturn Vue they promised to deliver a full hybrid later on. Well, its been awhile now. And now they're in their 'second generation' mild hybrid system. Is GM unable to deliver a full/real hybrid? Once I see this in the new Malibu, then I'm sold. But to gain only 2 mpg for a $1800 premium is ridiculous to me.
Heck I also drive a 'mild' hybrid vehicle (1997 honda accord). Because I can turn off the engine during idling at a red traffic light.
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JamesWB 11:50AM (11/15/2007)
The diesel Vectra (same platform) gets way better mpg than this.
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RayJ 2:42PM (11/15/2007)
Actually it is an $500 premium because of the tax credit so you will make up your money and more over the life of your purchase. GM will release a full hybrid in Saturn next year but for those people that can not afford them they have this cheaper system that will not cost you an arm and leg to fix after 100K miles like those from others.
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adam 1:32AM (11/16/2007)
For all of you basing your opinions off of spec sheets, take a look at some more realistic mileage figures. You knock the mild-hybrid system, but it's simplicity and low cost compared to parallel hybrid systems can be easily seen and felt in real world results.
Take a look at Motor Trend's recent comparison test between the Altima, Camry and Aura. While the Altima and Camry bested the Aura's fuel economy, it was only by a few mpg (Aura: 33.7, Altima 37.1, Camry: 38.5). And these aren't just highway figures, these are real world averages. It's worth noting that the Aura came in at over $5000 less than the two competitors. And that's without figuring in the tax credits.
So if you want to talk about measly savings compared to the gas equivalents, you need to look at real world average numbers as well as the cost difference between it's competitors. GM's mild-hybrid, while considerably low-tech relative to other systems, gets the job done for substantially lower costs.
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lionel 3:08PM (12/08/2007)
I'm curious about accessories such as A/C - is the compressor unit a sealed unit like a home refrigerator, that an be located just about anywhere not requiring belt drive and seals subject to failure, continuing to run at a most efficient rate regardless of engine speed?
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