2016 Chevrolet Malibu Gets Lots of Tech, Improved Fuel Economy

BOLD RIDE

Copyright © 2015 Bold Ride LLC.

 

Posted by Nicole Wakelin

 

The 2016 Chevrolet Malibu aims to reclaim the car’s former glory with better styling, lots of tech, and improved fuel economy. The midsize car market is a big one, and despite it’s best efforts, the Malibu has been an also ran for the last few years. Chevrolet hopes that will all change with this version of the car.

 

The Malibu went on a diet and lost 300 pounds through the use of high-strength steel. It still managed to grow by 2.3″ in overall length along with getting a 3.6″ wheelbase increase to give it more interior room. Chevrolet combined this with styling inspired by the 2014 Impala. A lower hood, swept-back headlights, and body-side creases all help give the Malibu a more aggressive stance.

Chevrolet fitted the Malibu with all the latest and greatest in tech including a new feature called Teen Driver that helps parents control and monitor what their kids are doing when they’re on their own. It lets parents restrict vehicle functions and produces reports on how the car was driven in their absence. There’s also a rear view camera, front pedestrian alert, lane keeping assist and intellibeam automatic high-beams.

Fuel economy is improved with an updated powertrain that includes a new 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with 160 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. Chevrolet estimates that it will get up to 27 MPG city and 37 MPG highway. There will also be a hybrid Malibu using a modified two-motor unit from the Volt, 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gas engine, and 80-cell, 1.5-kilowatt hour lithium-ion battery pack. Electric only mode will be available at speeds up to 55 MPH. The Malibu will be in showrooms late this year with the hybrid debuting in Spring of 2016.

 
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