Along with the standard version of the all-new 2013 Malibu, Chevrolet also introduced the ECO-flavored variant of its mid-size sedan at the New York Auto Show. The Malibu ECO returns a fuel consumption of 38 mpg (6.19 liters/km) on the highway and 26 mpg (9 liters/100 km) in the city, with Chevrolet boasting that it’s the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in the company’s 100 year-long history.
The new version features GM’s eAssist “light electrification” technology, which is the company’s way of saying it is a micro-hybrid car. The eAssist uses a lithium-ion battery and an electric motor-generator to enable regenerative braking electric assist and start-stop functionality.
The system weighs 65 pounds (29 kg) and is mated to a 2.4-liter Ecotec direct-injection petrol engine and a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces 180HP but it receives up to 15 more horsepower during heavier acceleration from the eAssist system. Fuel efficiency is further increased by the eAssist in various driving scenarios, helping the Malibu ECO to achieve a driving range of 550 miles (885 km) on a full 15.8-gallon tank (60 liters).
The Malibu ECO also features underbody aero enhancements and electronically controlled shutters in the lower grille that close at higher speeds to push more air over and around the car. The shutters are open or closed based on engine coolant temperature and speed. For instance, they open when the car is traveling up a hill, pulling a trailer, or in hot city driving, and they close at highway speeds when engine cooling is less required. The Malibu ECO rides on 17-inch wheels shod in low-rolling-resistance tires also engineered to improve economy.
Inside, the mid-size sedan gets an ECO gauge in the cluster which responds to driving behavior, encouraging fuel-efficient driving, while an Auto Stop Indicator on the tachometer lets the driver know when the engine is in start-stop mode.
The Chevrolet Malibu ECO will go on sale in early 2012 in the U.S., with the Malibu LS, LT and LTZ models to arrive in summer 2012. Pricing will be announced at a later date.
By Dan Mihalascu
*Live Photos Copyright Carscoop / Phil Alex
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