Chevrolet has finally pulled the sheets off the new, ninth-generation Malibu
and it’s ushered in a whole new look for the brand.
The new Malibu is also 300lbs. lighter
and offers more room for passengers, creating a vehicle that is both more fuel efficient and roomier than its predecessor.
As we suspected, the vehicle is also available with a hybrid powertrain that borrows much of its technology from the 2016 Chevrolet Volt
. The car is projected to offer 4.9 L/100km city, 5.2 L/100km highway – and 5.0 L/100km combined, unsurpassed in the segment. The car’s standard 1.5L turbo powertrain is projected to return 6.4 L/100km highway.
Beyond aggressive new bodywork at the front and rear, the new incoming Malibu is also packed with a host of great features, like:
– Ten standard airbags with available features like Forward Collision Alert, Cross-Traffic Alert and Automatic Parking Assist
– A brand new Teen Driver feature which helps parents monitor maximum speed, warning alerts and other trip highlights
– An all new 1.5L EcoTec engine with with fuel-saving start/stop technology, delivering 160hp
– A performance-oriented 2.0L turbo that delivers an estimated 250hp, and comes mated with a new eight-speed automatic transmission
Stats at a glance:
Trims: L, LS, LT, and Premier Trims, as well as a Hybrid model
Engines: A 1.5L turbo (160hp & 184lb-ft of torque), a new 2.0L turbo (250hp & 258lb-ft of torque), and a 1.8L hybrid unit mated to a two-motor drive unit
More space: The new Malibu features an extended wheelbase (3.6-inches) and greater overall length (2.3-inches) than the outgoing model, contributing to enhanced comfort and space. As a result, rear legroom improves 1.3-inches.
This is just our first taste of the new Malibu and we will be sure to bring you more details on the new Malibu in the coming weeks.
The all-new, 2016 Malibu goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2015.