As time goes by, General Motors is slowly releasing more information on its upcoming 2013 Chevrolet Malibu that’s destined to go on sale in nearly 100 countries on six continents, with the U.S. market launch planned for spring of 2012.
Today, the Detroit-based automaker announced some fresh details on its all-new 2.5-liter four-cylinder Ecotec engine that will take the place of the firm’s current 2.4-liter unit as the standard powerplant in the 2013 Malibu’s range.
GM said the 2.5-liter four-banger “is expected” to generate an estimated output of 190-horsepower (140kW) and 180 lb-ft (250Nm) of peak torque, or about 12 per cent more horsepower and 16 percent more torque than the outgoing 2.4L unit does.
The company said it expects the 2013 Malibu with the 2.5-liter powerplant to return an estimated highway fuel economy in excess of 30mpg (7.8lt/100km). The current 2012 Malibu with the 169HP 2.4L Ecotec is rated at 33mpg highway.
GM noted that its new four-banger would excel in quietness and refinement.
“The noise intensity is 40 percent less than our 2.4L direct-injected engine, which was named one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines,” said Mike Anderson, global chief engineer. “Engineers also tuned the 2.5L to deliver more of its torque at lower rpm, giving the Malibu a stronger feel at launch and during on-demand maneuvers, such as passing or accelerating on a freeway entrance ramp.”
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