2013 Chevrolet Malibu to drive with two new powertrains

According to the GM news release, the all-new Ecotec 2.5L debuting on the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu midsize sedan this summer is one of the most-powerful naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines in the midsize segment, topping the output from the new Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry.

That is quite a statement; but wait, there is more. It will be joined this fall by a new Ecotec 2.0L turbo engine, delivering more horsepower than any previous V-6 offered in a Malibu.

Yes, the trend for GM and Chevrolet seems to be along the same lines of the Ford roll outs, with small displacement engines which avail lower emissions, while delivering high-density power in the form of turbos.

According to Chevrolet, Malibu’s Ecotec 2.5L delivers an SAE-certified 197 horsepower (147 kW) and 191 lb.-ft. of torque (259 Nm), making it the most torqued-up engine of any naturally aspirated four-cylinders in the segment. And when compared with the competition, it delivers 19 more horsepower (14 kW) and 21 more lb.-ft. of torque (28 Nm) than the 2012 Toyota Camry LE’s 2.5L I4 engine, and 27 more horsepower (20 kW) and 21 more lb.-ft. (28 Nm) than the 2013 Ford Fusion’s 2.5L four-cylinder.

The smaller Ecotec 2.0L turbo, on the other hand, is SAE-certified at 259 horsepower (193 kW) and 260 lb.-ft. of torque (353 Nm). Its peak torque is sustained from 1,700 to 5,500 rpm – a broad range that provides an immediate feeling of power in all driving conditions and helps produce 0-60 performance in 6.3 seconds.

The new engines feature direct injection for increased fuel efficiency and higher power, and help drive Malibu’s performance around the world. Both will be offered in the United States, Canada, Israel and other markets.

Rounding out a diverse North American powertrain lineup, also included will be the segment-exclusive, fuel-saving eAssist™ technology in the Malibu Eco. It combines start-stop technology with regenerative braking and a lightweight lithium-ion battery to provide an electric boost in certain conditions, delivering a GM-estimated 25 mpg in the city 37 mpg on the highway. Chevrolet says that’s better fuel economy than any non-hybrid midsize sedan currently available.

“The 2013 Malibu is the latest entry in Chevrolet’s growing global car portfolio, which has seen almost an entirely revamped lineup in the last 15 months,” said Chris Perry, global Chevrolet marketing vice president. “We sold 4.76 million Chevys worldwide in 2011 – one every 6.5 seconds – and the new Malibu will help us grow the brand globally even more this year, where it will be introduced for the first time in many markets.”

Fact is, the 2013 Malibu is Chevrolet’s first global midsize sedan and will eventually be sold in nearly 100 countries on six continents. It is already on sale in South Korea and China, with sales to begin this year in more than 70 additional countries, including Canada, throughout Europe, Scandinavia, the Middle East, Africa and other Asia-Pacific markets.

In the United States, current generation Malibu sales are up 4.4 percent for the first two months of the year, building on 2011’s near-record U.S. sales of nearly 205,000.

More Specifications

Chevrolet is quite adamant in stating the new Malibu was designed to be the most finely tuned Chevrolet midsize sedan ever and is built on an award-winning global architecture that helps deliver a more confident, responsive and connected driving experience. The body structure is 20-percent stiffer for a greater feeling of solidity, quietness and quality.
Inside, the 2013 Malibu delivers:

• * 1.5 inches (38 mm) more front shoulder room
• * 3.5 inches (89 mm) more rear shoulder room
• * 2.7 inches (68 mm) more front hip room
• * 2.8 inches (71 mm) more rear hip room
• * More than 1 cubic foot (28 liters) more trunk space
• * Nearly 4 cubic feet (113 liters) of additional EPA interior volume.

Malibu’s driving experience is also enhanced with Chevrolet MyLink, an all-new in-car infotainment package that gives customers a higher level of wireless connectivity and customized infotainment options while building on the safety and security of OnStar.

For the record, MyLink is safe and easy to use. It adds stereo audio streaming and wireless control of smartphones, building on the voice-activated Bluetooth hands-free calling capability already offered in most Chevy vehicles. MyLink is standard in LT, LTZ and Eco Malibu models, along with a seven-inch, high-resolution, full-color touch screen display that makes media selection easy to navigate. The radio face also swivels up to reveal a hidden and illuminated storage area.

The Chevrolet Malibu Eco is on sale now and priced less than a full hybrid vehicle, with a suggested retail price of $25,995, including a $760 destination charge. Additional models go on sale this summer, followed by the Malibu Turbo this fall.

For those who may have forgotten, the Malibu nameplate was first introduced in 1964, makibn git the longest-running nameplate in the midsize segment. In fact, more than 8.5 million vehicles have been built.

The current model has received more than 40 industry awards since 2008, including “North American Car of the Year,” and three consecutive years as a Consumers Digest “Best Buy” . The 2013 Malibu will be built in four global locations, including two U.S. sites, and sold in nearly 100 countries on six continents.

In light of the all the hype on hybrids, though, the 2013 Malibu Eco is on sale now with an EPA estimated 25 mpg city/37 mpg highway, achieving the best fuel economy of any non-hybrid in the segment.