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The Chevy Malibu sedan,
using GM's "mild hybrid system" has been
discontinued.
In late 2010 the new Malibu hybrid should
be launched with an
upgraded BAS hybrid drive that will include a
lithium-ion battery pack. Early estimates indicate the new hybrid could be up to the 30 percent more fuel efficient than a conventional Malibu in some conditions. |
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The
current Malibu hybrid offers about a 2 mpg improvement in fuel economy compared
to the conventional Malibu, or about 24/32 mpg
city/highway.
The hybrid
Malibu offers a 36 volt electric motor coupled with a
2.4 liter Ecotec VVT four cylinder engine and a four
speed transmission that provides a seamless
operation to drivers.
Why a mild hybrid?
GM has recently stated
that it would focus its full hybrid technology on larger trucks and
SUVs, such as the Chevy
Tahoe hybrid, emphasizing a lower-cost “mild” hybrid system over a
“full” hybrid like the one developed by Toyota.
Thus, a hybrid like the
Malibu hybrid will be cheaper, but also less fuel
efficient than a Toyota Camry
hybrid, for example.
Using an
integrated starter-generator, mild hybrids, shut the gasoline
engine off at stoplights, and offer around 10 -15 percent increase in fuel
economy.
Don't
expect a dual mode hybrid in the Malibu any time soon,
if ever. Nonetheless, if you want the most fuel
efficient Malibu possible, then check out the Malibu
hybrid. Overall, the Chevy Malibu is a hot new hybrid
and going with the hybrid version can provide a nice
increase in fuel economy.
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Latest
Chevy Malibu Hybrid News -
GM motors into new hybrid investment
-
Malibu
hybrid dead for now -
GM
dealers not interested in hybrids - Malibu
hybrid suffers battery problem - Robbed:
Buying a hybrid vehicle today - Do
mild hybrids make sense?
- A
shortage of GM hybrids?
- Malibu
hybrid: Not coming to a dealer near you?
- Malibu
hybrid is 2nd most cost-effective hybrid
- 2008
Malibu hybrid offers a mild increase in fuel economy
- Only
10,000 GM dual mode hybrids?
- 2008
Malibu hybrid debuts at MLB All Star Event
- GM's
dual mode hybrid advantage?
- Cobasys
to develop Malibu hybrid battery
- GM's
dual mode hybrid technology versus single mode hybrid
technology
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