MELBOURNE: Chevrolet has launched its new ninth-generation 2016 Malibu at New York Auto Show. The all new Malibu has a metal sheet body with a spacious interior. Chevrolet has offered Malibu 2016 with three different engine options.
The 2016 Malibu is available with three engines. Standard is an all-new 1.5-liter turbocharged ec 4-cylinder with fuel saving stop/start technology. The engine delivers 160-horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque, which is comparable to the current model’s 2.5-liter engine. For the performance-minded customer a 2.0-liter engine is available that delivers 250-horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque and estimated fuel economy of 22 city/32 highway.
Using technology from the Chevrolet Volt, it combines an all-new direct injection 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with a two-motor drive unit, which provides additional power during acceleration. The hybrid delivers 182-horsepower for the total system.
In terms of gearboxes, a 6-speed transmission accompanies the 1.5-liter engine, while the 2.0-liter turbo is paired with an all-new, GM developed eight-speed transmission—the first eight-speed transmission in a GM front-wheel-drive vehicle.
The new Malibu will be offered with three different engine options, with a 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder included standard.
The loss of about 300 pounds has improved the Malibu’sfuel economy by an anticipated eight percent over the previous model, resulting in a 27-mpg city average for the 1.5-liter ec engine. The wheelbase grows by 3.6 inches, adding much more (and desperately needed) interior space. The previous Malibu was roundly criticized for lacking the rear legroom of competitors in the hotly contested midsize sedan segment.
Chevrolet’s dual cockpit interior is more open and airy, while rear legroom improves by 1.3 inches. An all-new center stack better delineates infotainment and climate controls, allowing for a simpler operation of controls – there is also a dedicated storage slot for cell phones that incorporates wireless charging if so equipped. The Malibu will be offered in L, LS, LT and Premier trim lines as well as the hybrid model. The upmarket Premier trim line debuts in 2016.
Malibu’s new exterior echoes the redesign of the 2014 Impala. Along with the stretched wheelbase, the new exterior is 2.3 inches longer but is no wider that the previous model. It presents a sleeker package that’s enhanced by sweeping headlamps, a dual-port grille and distinguishing creases along the sides. The windshield meets the hood at a lower angle to improve aerodynamics. The LT and Premier models get a little extra bling with LED daytime running lamps.
Chevrolet’s navigation and connectivity can be viewed on either a seven or eight-inch color screen, depending on the trim level. Onstar 4G LTE with a WiFi hotspot is standard on all models with a three-month/3GB data trial—whichever comes first. Wireless phone charging is available on LT and Hybrid and standard on Premier. Rear seat USB ports and 110-volt power outlets are an option on LT and standard on Premier.
