Toronto Mayor rids self of Prius, gets Malibu hybrid
Click above for a hi-res gallery
There'll be no more Prius parked in the garage of City of Toronto Mayor, David Miller. The vintage 2003 Toyota import was chagrined to learn, whilst in the shop to correct an electronics problem, that it had been replaced by a almost-domestically-produced car, a new Chevrolet Malibu hybrid. Although the Chevy is assembled in Kansas, it has parts from over 30 Ontario, Canada auto parts suppliers and the Mayor felt that it would be a positive gesture to make a show of support with the purchase.
Unfortunately for the politician, he may notice that the mpg numbers from his new ride are a little disappointing. His Prius was rated at 52 city/42 hwy (yeah, it's the old EPA rating, but still), while the 2009 Malibu Hybrid is rated at a mediocre 26 city/ 34 hwy. Were it us making the buying decision, we might have done any Canada-content-number-fudging necessary to get ourselves the Ford Fusion hybrid (41 city/36 hwy). Heck, we might have gotten a phone call from Mulally out of it. Thanks to Kevin for the tip!
Gallery: 2008 Chevrolet Malibu hybrid
[Source: Globe and Mail]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Snoopy 8:40PM (5/27/2009)
I can understand that it can be a good political move, but, based on his green agenda, it doesn't really fit.
As far as the MPG issue goes, I still find it funny that cars like the Prius (or most non-hybrid, high MPG cars) exist, yet the major American manufacturers still come back and say "it's really difficult to do", "it'll cost you a lot of money!". Ridiculous.
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Snowdog 8:48PM (5/27/2009)
I think the article is missing the quotes around the hybrid part of Malibu "hybrid".
Because this is the kind of joke of a "hybrid" is the real reasons people buy a Prius, not because it looks the part, but because it actually delivers.
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jonjon72 9:06PM (5/27/2009)
Miller is a joke of a Mayor to begin with. I am acually suprised he has a car since he is so "anti car" for the city of Toronto.
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MemphisNET 9:15PM (5/27/2009)
David Miller is a tool. Great car, and support of the American auto industry. But at the same time, going to a car that is less efficient than the one it replaces, and pushing 'The War on Cars' agenda... well, it just adds to his credibility.
why not the LS2LS7? 10:18PM (5/27/2009)
I agree. I would have gotten a Fusion Hybrid too.
Comparing old EPA numbers to new ones is pretty lame. You can't run fueleconomy.gov and find out his car is estimated at 42/41 on the new system?
If GM had any money, they'd put a six-speed auto in the Malibu hybrid (instead of a 4-speed) and get the figures up. The BAS hybrid is just a little too mild to really make much of a difference.
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ISLAND DON 11:12PM (5/27/2009)
While the mayor is trying to save the planet with his hybrid Toyota/Malibu, what does he plan to do with those "heavy metal" non recyclable, not in my backyard batteries? Will he bury them in his own backyard, or under the fountain at City Hall? Or ship them back to No. Ontario and let INCO put that crud back in the ground?
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LaughingMan 11:35PM (5/27/2009)
FUD.
NiMH batteries used in modern day hybrids are very very recyclable, and are more environmentally friendly and inert than the lead-acid batteries in conventional vehicles.
http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9463
downtoearth 4:24AM (5/28/2009)
2008 Chevrolet Malibu = EPA 27 combined mpg, 2008 Toyota Prius II = EPA 47 combined mpg. So the Malibu burns only 70% more fuel! Only 70%! So little difference.
Please reelect me. I beg you! Please! I'll do every nonsene just to be reelected. Pleeeeaaasseee aarrrgghh!!...
Sources:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/compx2008f.jsp?year=2008&make=Toyota&model=Prius&hiddenField=Findacar
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/compx2008f.jsp?year=2008&make=Chevrolet&model=Malibu%20Hybrid&hiddenField=Findacar
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why not the LS2LS7? 11:54AM (5/28/2009)
This is a new Malibu, that'd make it a 2009. The 2009 Malibu Hybrid is rated at 29 combined.
Richard in FLA 2:33PM (5/28/2009)
downtoearth, if my math serves me right, your calculations are wrong. If the Malibu get 27 mpg and the Prius get 47 mpg, that's an improvement of 57.446%. Regardless, I approve your point.
downtoearth 4:56PM (5/28/2009)
why not the LS2LS7, the 2009 Malibu does 29 mpg: http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/compx2008f.jsp?year=2009&make=Chevrolet&model=Malibu%20Hybrid&hiddenField=Findacar
Richard in FLA, I always convert it to l/100km for calculations. So we have:
46 miles per gallon = 5.11 l / 100 km
27 miles per gallon = 8.71 l / 100 km (3.6 l or 70.4% more fuel)
29 miles per gallon = 8.11 l / 100 km (3 l or 58.7% more fuel)
downtoearth 4:57PM (5/28/2009)
I meant "why not the LS2LS7" was right
NHG 8:48AM (5/28/2009)
or you could say the malibu burns 3.70 Gp100m while the prius burns 2.12 Gp100m
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oh really 9:19AM (5/28/2009)
That old Prius apparently used half the gas a new Prius uses, and next year's model will have a bigger petrol engine again. Less green, more performance. Hurry up affordable all electric cars, please.
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GoodCheer 9:54AM (5/28/2009)
Ah... check your numbers.
Remember that the EPA has a new testing system, so comes up with different numbers for pre- and post-2007 ratings. (All can be seen and compared on fueleconomy.gov)
Also, even though the Prius III has a bigger engine and better performance, it ALSO gets better mileage.
oh really 7:55PM (5/28/2009)
Whatever the 'numbers' tell you, I'm talking about real life. Original Prius owners fill up once a month, current model Prius owners fill up fortnightly. I don't doubt the 'numbers' on next years model 'look' good. Let's wait for the real life experience before we get caught up in the 'marketing-pseudo-science' of it.
GoodCheer 10:34AM (6/10/2009)
OK...
I drive an 11 year old Civic, and fill up about every six weeks. So clearly I get even better mileage than the original Prius, right?
Pseudoscience, that would be relying on anecdotal evidence with no experimental controls.
While you may not like the EPA ratings, they are the best, most uniform, most controlled test for mileage evaluation we have. They also have user fuel economy numbers.
Gen 1: 42/41 User Average 44.6
Gen 2: 48/45 User Average 47.7
Gen 3: 51/48 No users yet
-fueleconomy.gov