Automobiles Review

Tag: Chevrolet Malibu

  • 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco – Price $25995

    ChevroletMalibuDeliver THUMBWith the first shipment of the all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco midsize sedan today, Chevrolet makes a continuation of its global rollout. This is the most fuel-efficient model of Malibu ever created, and now it is available at dealers across the United States. However, this version of Malibu is only the first model of the all-new 2013 Malibu lineup, which is going to reach showrooms in the U.S. Now, it is more appealing than ever, because it features a sporty exterior shaped to save fuel, an all-new interior with more room, comfort and premium materials, sound-reducing and sound-absorbing components to make it the quietest Chevrolet in history, all-new Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system that enhances customer connectivity, all-new ride-and-handling package, and engineering to meet top safety results around the world!

    2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco is Ready for Delivery to Dealers
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco is Ready for Delivery to Dealers

    However, the heart of the Malibu Eco is its most important and exclusive segment, is the fuel-saving eAssist™ technology. Thank to it the car now has GM-estimated 25 mpg city and 37 mpg highway fuel economy. Moreover, it combines start-stop technology with regenerative braking. There is also a lightweight lithium-ion battery which provides an electric boost in certain conditions, improves fuel economy by 12 percent over today’s four-cylinder engine – and delivers better fuel economy than any non-hybrid midsize sedan currently available. In addition the all-new Ecotec 2.5L engine will debut in the Malibu later this summer, followed by an all-new Ecotec 2.0L turbo engine.

    2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco is Ready for Delivery to Dealers
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco is Ready for Delivery to Dealers

    The great news continues, because the all-new Malibu Eco is priced less than a full hybrid vehicle. The suggested retail price is $25,995 and it includes a $760 destination charge. The 2013 Malibu is Chevrolet’s first global midsize sedan. It will be sold in nearly 100 countries on six continents. More importantly, last year, the Malibu was GM’s second-best selling car in the United States behind the Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan. The new Malibu is already on the world market, in particular is on sale in South Korea and will soon arrive in dealerships in China.

    2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

    Source: Chevrolet

  • Chevrolet Malibu driven 1 million test miles across globe

    Chevrolet thumbA very interesting experiment has been done on the all-new Chevrolet Malibu. Engineers have driven over 1 million miles (1.6 million km) with the vehicle. The aim was on-road development testing. However, to achieve this goal of 1 million miles, it took them about 22 months and sent them on six continents. Of course, this extensive road development and validation process served as a guarantee for the new Malibu’s overall ride and handling, comfort, quality and durability. We have to admit that with this experiment, Chevrolet has made a great advertisement of the new model. The new Malibu will be sold in 100 countries on six continents, making it Chevrolet’s first truly global midsize sedan.

    Interesting information to be considered here is that driving 1 million miles in 22 months is equivalent of: 66,66 years of driving a car 15,000 miles (24,140 km) annually; 201 round-trips between New York City and Los Angeles; or two trips to the moon and back.

    Chevrolet Malibu in Dubai
    Chevrolet Malibu in Dubai

    In details, the early prototypes of the model were hand-built by General Motors in the United States and shipped around the globe. They were driven at GM’s proving grounds around North America, as well as on the freeways, highways and back roads of the United States, Canada, Australia, South Korea, China, the U.K., Dubai and Germany. In this development stage the Malibu pre-production cars represented meant the powertrains, suspensions and other core elements of the cars were already green-lighted for production. More importantly this test-driving have helped a lot for the final refinement, upgrade and fine tuning of the overall dynamics in performance, interior quietness, seat comfort and drivability of the Malibu. In addition the Malibus were driven through Death Valley in the hottest summer days to validate the air conditioning performance. Of course, to make the picture even more clearly, the vehicles were also driven to the top of the Rocky Mountains for high-altitude tests. Furthermore the Malibus were went through hundreds of miles of stop-and-go rush hour drives in Chicago and Seoul; and through the winding hills of North Carolina to evaluate seat comfort and other long-drive factors. And when driving on the concrete dry road surfaces there is generated a considerable amount of noise. However the Chevrolet Malibu engineers have made it possible to develop the car in such way that it can Malibu soaked up those grooved roads quietly. Important fact as well is that the final chassis tuning for the European variant of the Chevrolet Malibu was finished in the Germany. The evaluation involved putting the car through its paces on a former air base which today serves as a test facility. And around 3,000 kilometers were accumulated in order to determine which chassis set-up is best suited for European roads. Additional testings were made around Europe, which were focused on engine and transmission calibration, or on navigation and radio systems.

    On the other hand there was also some not so “far-away-driving” development of the Malibu models. For example the development cars in the U.K. and the U.S. were run through salt water troughs and placed in a chamber to simulate years of corrosion and winter road driving. In addition to these experiments, other Mlibus were parked in the Arizona sun to see how the interior materials held up to extreme heat. Of course not everything went so smoothly. Engineers found a few areas of the vehicle that required a bit more attention. For example there was a need of change in the application of liquid sealer to steel parts of the body structure, which helped produce a quieter ride.

    This is Chevrolet’s eighth-generation Malibu. It will serve as the brand’s flagship vehicle in China, Korea, Europe, Australia and other parts of the world. In addition, in Europe, the Malibu will be equipped with a 4-cylinder 2.0-liter diesel or a 2.4-liter gasoline engine. The gasoline models will be at dealerships in several markets in the spring of 2012. The diesel version, however, will be launched in the second half of the year.

    Chevrolet Malibu in Australia
    Chevrolet Malibu in Australia

    Source: Chevrolet

  • 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco Priced Under $26,000

    2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco thumbYes, you haven’t read the title wrong: the brand new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco midsize sedan will start at $25,995. The sales will start from the first quarter of next year, reinforcing the value proposition of the midsize segment’s longest-running nameplate. The stated price will include a $760 destination charge; however it will exclude tax, title, license and dealer fees.

    According to the data given from the manufacturers the new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco is the most fuel-efficient Malibu that the brand had ever produced.  Can you imagine that you can now own a fuel efficient hybrid car at an absolutely exclusive non-hybrid-like price?! Do go further into details this is also the first Chevrolet that will feature General Motors’ eAssist battery electric/gas propulsion system, which uses unique lithium-ion battery and an electric motor-generator. Both will enable regenerative braking, electric assist and start-stop functionality. Moreover it will deliver a GM-estimated 25 mpg (10,6 km/l) in city driving and 37 mpg (15,7 km/l) on the highway.

    2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

    Chevrolet has prepared a all-new 2013 Malibu lineup, in which the Malibu Eco as Chevrolet’s first global midsize sedan. The aim of the design of the vehicle is to give customers more style, fuel efficiency, content and features, along with the craftsmanship and dynamic capabilities. And compared to some of the most popular hybrids it has more powerful engine – 182 hp/134 kW – than the Fusion (156 hp/116 kW), Camry (178 hp/132 kW) or Passat (140 hp/104 kW).

    The design for the North American comes with an expressive exterior with smooth curves and athletic outlook. Moreover the exterior was aerodynamically improved, including underbody aero enhancements and electronically controlled shutters in the lower grille. Their function is to close at higher speeds and push more air over and around the vehicle. To bring more comfort to the passengers Chevrolet has made more spacious interior using premium materials thus making it the quietest in the midsize segment. Another likable detail is the new Chevrolet MyLink connectivity, which integrates online services such as Pandora® Internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio®. And thinking about the safety ride, this time Chevrolet has included eight standard air bags, ultra-high-strength steel and rearview camera system.

    However the most important highlight in this model is the fuel-efficiency, which Chevrolet has achieved through additional fuel-saving features such as eco-specific lightweight components and systems, Eco gauge, seventeen-inch low-rolling-resistance all-season Goodyear tires and the eAssist system. To be more precise, the first of the mentioned includes an aluminum hood, aluminum rear bumper beam, low-mass carpet and dash mat and more, which save approximately 130 pounds (58 kg) over a comparably equipped non-Eco model. In addition the Eco-gauge in the cluster continuously responds to the driving behavior in order to reassure a fuel-efficient driving. An Auto Stop Indicator on the tachometer informs the driver when the engine is in start-stop mode. And at last, the eAssist system is mated to a fuel-efficient 2.4L Ecotec direct-injection four-cylinder engine and next-generation six-speed automatic transmission. First of all to be mentioned here is that this 2.4L engine is a variant of the same engine that was recognized as one of Ward’s Ten Best Engines in 2010. Moreover it is lightweight and features dual-overhead cams, direct injection, continuously variable intake and exhaust timing and electronic throttle control. In addition, it also has a lightweight aluminum cylinder block and cylinder head.

    The great news form Chevrolet continues: the new Malibu Eco comes with a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, as well as a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty. Furthermore, certain eAssist components are covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty, including the electric motor generator, three-phase electric power cables and high-voltage lithium-ion battery.

    And for the every individual taste the Malibu Eco is being offered with cloth or leather seats, in eight exterior (Silver Ice Metallic, Black Granite Metallic, Summit White, Crystal Red Tintcoat, White Diamond Tricoat, Taupe Gray Metallic, Steel Blue Metallic, Champagne Silver Metallic) and three interior color choices (Jet Black, Jet Black/Titanium and Cocoa/Light Neutral). It is well-equipped in standard form and available with four equipment packages: Power Convenience; Premium Audio; Leather; and Navigation. The first one includes all standard equipment eight-way power driver’s seat with lumbar control, rearview backup camera system, remote start, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror, universal garage door opener. The second package – the Premium Audio – includes all content in the first one plus pioneer nine-speaker audio system with high-output amplifier, fog lamps, leather-wrapped shifter knob and steering wheel. The Leather Package includes everything from the second one, plus leather-trimmed seating, eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat with lumbar control and heated front seats. The last package has it all and in addition includes navigation system, memory seats and mirrors, and auto-up driver’s window.

    2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu ECO
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco
    2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

    Source: Chevrolet

  • Chevrolet Malibu

    The all-new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu delivers great performance, fuel economy and refinement, wrapped in a clean, tailored design that carries the new face of Chevrolet. The new Malibu will be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show. It arrives at Chevrolet dealerships later this year.

    “The 2008 Malibu rewrites Chevrolet’s midsize car strategy, offering a stylish, uncompromising package that stacks up against the most popular competitors,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “We know the competition is very good, and this new Malibu has the goods – both tangible and intangible – to assert a leadership position in the segment and re-affirm Chevrolet’s commitment to expressive cars.”

    Indeed, the 2008 Malibu brings a fresh perspective and new proportions to the midsize segment. It is more than three inches (76 mm) longer than the current model, with a six-inch-longer (162 mm) wheelbase that delivers a poised, wheels-at-the-corners stance and helps provide a smoother, more direct driving experience. In fact, Malibu’s wheelbase is three inches (76 mm) longer than Toyota Camry.

    “ Malibu is the car our customers have been looking for,” said Peper. “There is more style and content on the new Malibu than any other competitor in the segment.”

    The new Malibu is offered in three well-equipped trim levels: LS, LT and LTZ – all with standard head-curtain side air bags and front-seat thorax air bags, OnStar Gen 7 with remote diagnostics, and XM Satellite Radio. StabiliTrak electronic stability control is standard on LT and LTZ models.

    Chevrolet Malibu LT 2008
    Chevrolet Malibu LT 2008
    Chevrolet Malibu LT 2008
    Chevrolet Malibu LT 2008
    Chevrolet Malibu LT 2008
    Chevrolet Malibu LT 2008

    Design details

    With its strong stance and bold proportions, the 2008 Malibu has a profile that reinforces its substantial feel. Clean, pure lines and wheels pushed to the corners, as well as a visually lower yet longer greenhouse and a shorter deck suggest motion, agility and attitude. The body sides are clean and elegant, interrupted only by distinctive, wheel-oriented forms that communicate an aggressive, stable stance and a rear profile that connects to Chevrolet’s rich performance heritage.

    The Malibu’s dual-port grille is characteristic of the new face of Chevrolet cars and the twin round taillamps are Chevrolet cues, too, with LTZ models distinguished by front fog lamps and LED-lit taillamps. The design elements are complemented with precise details, including minimized panel gaps, a tight wheel-to-body relationship and select use of chrome trim. V-6 models also receive dual chrome exhaust outlets.

    The interior’s attention to detail matches the Malibu’s exterior, with an ergonomic design using premium materials that convey quality and value, including a cast skin material on the instrument panel. The integrated, flowing instrument panel features a Chevrolet-signature dual-cockpit design, with prominent gauges backlit in blue, and metallic or wood grain accents.

    The new Malibu has greater storage, too, with thoughtful features that maximize utility, including a deep center console with a sliding cover that opens to accommodate larger items. Also standard is an auxiliary in-dash storage compartment on the instrument panel for sunglasses, CDs and other items. An available rear power center provides a household-style 110-volt AC power outlet.

    Safe and secure

    The 2008 Malibu has a comprehensive roster of standard and available features that helps protect occupants before, during and after a crash.

    All 2008 Malibu models come with OnStar Gen 7, which features standard automatic crash notification service and OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation – the first factory-installed, fully integrated GPS navigation system from OnStar.