As part of a complete Malibu redesign, Chevrolet will offer an all-new 2016 Malibu hybrid. Having given the car industry a sneak peak at the 2015 New York Auto Show, Chevrolet is poised to shake up the midsize sedan market with a model that is also equipped to compete with hybrids from Toyota, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, and Kia.
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid is a Game Changer
The first attempt at a Malibu hybrid was a bold step forward. However, that model only managed to deliver an EPA estimated 25 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. It simply couldn’t compete with the fuel economy of hybrids like the Accord hybrid and the Toyota Prius. This time around, Chevrolet has drawn on the lessons it learned in creating the upcoming second-generation Volt plug-in hybrid.
First, the 2016 Malibu hybrid can cruise quietly on electric-only power. That’s something the previous model couldn’t do. In addition, it can reach speeds up to 55 mph on electric-only power, just like other models in its class.
Second, Chevrolet estimates that it will deliver 48 mpg in the city and 45 mpg on the highway. With those numbers, the new Malibu hybrid can now battle toe to toe with the hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, and the Toyota Prius in fuel efficiency. It’s also equal to the output of the Honda Accord hybrid.
A New Drivetrain Delivers Improved Horsepower and Fuel Efficiency
One of the primary factors behind the newfound mileage gains is its hybrid drivetrain. The gas-powered half of the system is an all-new 1.8-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder, direct-injected engine that has more muscle than the 1.5-liter unit found in the 2016 Volt. This new engine is paired with a two-motor electric drivetrain that is similar to the one that powers the Volt.
When the gasoline engine and the electronic motors work together, the hybrid drivetrain delivers 182 horsepower. Step on the brakes and a Volt-derived regenerative braking system recharges 80-cell, 1.5-kWh lithium-ion battery that is neatly stowed away underneath the truck floor.
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid As Good Looking As It Is Efficient
As if all of this new hybrid technology wasn’t enough, the 2016 Malibu hybrid also has an Exhaust Gas Heat Recovery system. Chevrolet’s engineers have also lowered the ride height to aid in fuel efficiency and added the same active grille shutters found on the LS and LT non-hybrid models of the Malibu.
The fuel efficiency wasn’t the only part of the Malibu that received an upgrade in 2016. Chevrolet also reworked the car’s exterior styling to give it a more sleek and aggressive appearance. It’s lower, longer, lighter, and ready to show you what it can do.
The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu goes on sale this fall. If you’re thinking a hybrid is for you, the Malibu can hold its own with all of the hybrid variants on the market, giving you an attractive option for saving money at the pump and caring for the environment. Visit us today at New Smyrna Chevrolet to learn more about the this innovative vehicle.
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