In the battle to out-green one another, Ford has “SFE” and Chevrolet has “Eco.” Not only do those badges indicate vehicles optimized for fuel economy, they give buyers the chance to wear their virtue on their deck lids. And during Chevy’s press conference at the New York International Auto Show introducing the redesigned 2013 Malibu, the one surprise was the announcement of the Malibu Eco.
While the regular 2013 Malibu will be powered by a new 190-horsepower, 2.5-liter direct-injection four-cylinder, the Eco version will use a 180-hp, 2.4-liter direct-injection four supplemented by GM’s eAssist light hybrid system. And unlike the Cruze Eco, which has been criticized for being offered only with a six-speed manual transmission, the Malibu Eco will run a six-speed automatic and can be hammered for not offering a manual gearbox.
The Malibu Eco’s eAssist system consists of a lithium-ion battery and a 15-kilowatt motor-generator. Under heavy acceleration, Chevy says, that electric motor is good for an additional 15 horsepower. There’s at least some potential here that, besides being the Malibu with the best fuel economy, the Eco will also be the quickest. Under braking the generator will charge the battery. When stopped in traffic, the Eco’s internal combustion engine will shut down and the accessories run off power stored in the battery.
Beyond the eAssist system, however, the Malibu Eco also gets some neat aero and mechanical tweaks. Up front there’s a shutter system that opens and closes to minimize drag when the radiator doesn’t need the airflow. The side mirrors and taillights have been streamlined. There are also four panels under the body, covering about half the chassis, to reduce drag beneath the car.
If gas prices keep rising, the SFE and Eco models may prove to be more mainstream than a sideline. But even if gas prices plummet, there will still be plenty of virtue in the Malibu Eco’s 26 city and 38 highway mpg EPA ratings and 550-mile potential cruising range.
1487 says:
12:03 PM, 04/21/11
The Cruze ECO has an auto, mileage just drops when you get the auto. Although it will be rated at 26/39 for 2012 which is closer to the manual. One of your staffers is driving the Cruze ECO as we speak, he just posted about it the other day.
Glad to see a GOOD interior pic, tired of this CGI nonsense. Aside from the fake wood that looks great.
lostboyz says:
12:10 PM, 04/21/11
it looks great other than that massive switch below the touchscreen, they could've done something different there.
1487 says:
12:23 PM, 04/21/11
not really, its a button to release the latch. Not sure how you can unlatch something mechanically without some sort of button. Somehow I doubt anyone considering the car will change their mind based on that.
Im still trying to figure out why they are saying the Cruze Eco is manual only.
stovt001 says:
12:31 PM, 04/21/11
"Not sure how you can unlatch something mechanically without some sort of button."
How about a smaller, better looking button/switch?
I'm happy to say that other than that, the interior does look better than I expected even after seeing the heavily retouched photos released by Chevy. Nice color blue too.
I admire Subaru and Hyundai for their "no asterisks" approach to fuel efficient models, but GM and Ford probably realized greenies love nothing more than to let everyone know how "green" they're being. Having a special "green" model might be the more clever marketing decision.
lostboyz says:
12:31 PM, 04/21/11
they could have done it like all slide down screens that have a drive slot behind it, its a simple servo motor and track, might add $3-$4 in cost. Just a simple button rather than a big latch. Its really not that big of a deal anyway, just nitpicking.
93aero says:
12:31 PM, 04/21/11
This is fun and all. But when will there be articles on the new Jag XF/XFR!? Edmunds needs to catch up, theres only so much interest to be had in the same 3 cars over and over.
1487 says:
12:54 PM, 04/21/11
"I admire Subaru and Hyundai for their "no asterisks" approach to fuel efficient models, but GM and Ford probably realized greenies love nothing more than to let everyone know how "green" they're being. Having a special "green" model might be the more clever marketing decision."
Agreed. Plus there are compromises to be made when you do one size fits all. Tires, gear ratios, sound deadening, etc. GM and Ford would rather let consumers choose handling over mileage if they want to. The Elantra has great standard mileage but my all accounts its handling is mediocre for the segment.
I agree the latch isnt a big deal, nitpciking indeed. I'd rather have the storage and the latch than to have a fixed nav system like most cars. I think its a novel idea that is similar to what Volvo has done with their slim profile center stacks. Cars like the Cruze and Fusion have latches on their center mounted storage cubbies and I dont think its ever been an issue.
dougtheeng says:
01:09 PM, 04/21/11
My first thought is that it looks much bigger then the current vehicle, but that could mostly be because of the angle of the photos. The interior looks decent, but without getting up close and personal its hard to say if its anything to write home about.
As for the rear end, it certainly gives the vehicle an aggressive stance from that angle! I think its for the best - certainly better then the current rear end.
1487 says:
01:13 PM, 04/21/11
aside from the rear the current Malibu is so good looking I think it was hard to improve on its looks. I cant even say this car looks better, I can just say its better equipped and has a higher grade interior.
coolb944 says:
02:09 PM, 04/21/11
@93aero, I was thinking the same thing! The XF was updated and is showing at the NYAS. Also, Chrysler I believe released the 300 Executive Series at the NYAS, which I saw on another site and looks really good and has a number of very luxurious interior fittings and accouterments. IL, take a look around the auto show floor, and see what else is out there.
bodyblue says:
03:10 PM, 04/21/11
"aside from the rear the current Malibu is so good looking I think it was hard to improve on its looks. I cant even say this car looks better, I can just say its better equipped and has a higher grade interior."
ROFLMAO
Oh and the "ECO" model is just more smoke and mirrors from GM. Especially the Cruze with turbo 1.4. IF one stays totally out of the throttle and drives 65 MPH on a flat surface then MAYBE it will get the EPA estimate. But test after test has shown that the turbo has to work so hard to move the tubby Chevy that MPG goes down the drain.
The Malibu the E Assist makes a lot more sense however and has a lot better chance of working.
"The Elantra has great standard mileage but my all accounts its handling is mediocre for the segment. "
But you say that steering feel and handling are not important in small cars.....like when you see the Focus blowing away the Cruze in test after test. The Focus is far more sporty AND gets better MPGs. You say that ride and room and MPGs matter more....unless of course it suits you to say otherwise.
litewerk says:
08:59 PM, 04/21/11
I've actually kinda liked the current Malibu since it debuted several years ago. The main difference to me, aside from revising some dimensions and adding some equipment, is that the current one has a bit of a formal look to it, while the 2013 appears more athletic or, perhaps, sporty. Were I to actually purchase one after test driving it and a number of competitors, I'd likely opt for the Eco model, providing it is not too much of a bump up in price. Would be awesome, if what the article suggests holds true, that the Eco model is also the fastest Malibu. Without seeing one up close and in person, gotta say that I'm liking this new Malibu more and more.
roar02ram says:
09:41 PM, 04/21/11
Now this ECO model is pretty interesting. And I much prefer this more conservative taillight treatment to the Camaro/Atari-grade LEDs on the red LTZ that we saw a few days ago.
throwback says:
05:22 AM, 04/22/11
The interior looks very nice. The square Camaro gauges looks odd though.
bonzjr says:
08:49 AM, 04/22/11
Exterior: A (in comparison to its competition).
Interior: C
(B for general design/style, D for execution).
Engineering: jury is still out.
A D for execution? Yep. The general design is fine -- modern, fresh, has nice feature content. But the details suck. Period. It uses the old GM trick of panels not MEETING at the seam in a flush pattern, but meeting with the seams tucked and rolled. You can see it where the lower dash trim meets the middle trim, where the doors meet the dash, and all over the doors themselves (see Autoblog -- who posted more pics than Straightline)
Why is this done? To make up for potential panel gap/fit issues during assembly. It's lazy. And it looks cheap. The Cruze has very little (actually, I think none) of this. The Regal doesn't do it. The Equinox/Terrain twins don't do it. The CTS doesn't do it. They've all received praise for their interior fit/finish. So why does the Malibu? Is this the solution when the CEO (who admits he knows jack-squat about cars -- he's a cell phone exec by trade) barks, "Speed up the introduction!" to the engineers? (Background: he actually did this -- asked them to roll forward trhe introduction by four-to-six months.)
More hints of "Old GM." Not cool. Fix it.
And for the millionth time -- ditch the fake wood (yuck) and chrome/fake vent extension in front of the passenger. More anicent GM. Ugh.
robs249 says:
09:48 PM, 04/22/11
I was at the NY Auto Show today and I somehow couldn't find the Chevy car display so I didnt get a chance to see the new Malibu. Where was it anyway?? I only saw their trucks downstairs.
1487 says:
06:17 AM, 04/25/11
"Oh and the "ECO" model is just more smoke and mirrors from GM. Especially the Cruze with turbo 1.4. IF one stays totally out of the throttle and drives 65 MPH on a flat surface then MAYBE it will get the EPA estimate. But test after test has shown that the turbo has to work so hard to move the tubby Chevy that MPG goes down the drain."
wrong again, the ECO model has the eAssist system from the Buicks. This is why its rated at 26/38. Its totally different from the Cruze ECO. Try to read the info on the cars before commenting, you might learn something.