2013 CHEVROLET Malibu ECO 2.4L Ecotec DOHC Hybrid

Vehicle Overview

As one of the biggest suppliers of fleet vehicles, Chevrolet introduced the Malibu Eco version in 2011 at the New York Auto Show.

The Malibu Eco was the version that provided a better fuel efficiency than the rest of the range. It boasted up to 38 mpg (6.2 l/100 km) highway mileage, which was impressive for its segment, especially for a gasoline-fueled vehicle. General Motors built the eighth generation of the Malibu on the same Epsilon II SWB platform as the Buick Regal and the European Opel/Vauxhall Insignia.

In order to achieve such a performance, the carmaker installed underbody aerodynamic enhancements. Moreover, the car featured electronically-controlled shutters, which closed the front lower grille at higher speeds. Thus, the airflow was diverted on the sides, decreasing the ground effect. Its cab-forward design with fluid lines and very raked windshield lowered the car’s drag resistance.

Inside, the cabin provided enough room for five adult passengers, although the tall center tunnel that crossed the car from front to back affected the rear seat’s middle occupant legroom. At the front, GM prepared a dashboard with a center stack tilted toward the driver, where the infotainment system took the upper side. The automatic transmission gear selector mounted on the center console sported an elegant styling, thanks to the chromed trims around it.

But the most important difference when compared to the rest of the Malibu range was in the technical department. The 2.4-liter inline-four engine was mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox and helped by a 15 kW starter-generator and a 115 V lithium-ion battery pack.