At the Chevrolet booth at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS), GM is presenting the Eco version of the Malibu, a variant that it says will be the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in the history of the company. With this promise comes the first use on a Chevrolet car of the eAssist system, a micro-hybrid technology that gives the Malibu its incredible consumption figures.
More precisely, the 2.4l Ecotec four pot engine delivers, with the help of eAssist, an estimated 26 mpg in city driving and 38 mpg on the highway. That is without affecting the power of the unit, rated at 180 hp.
Based on the 2013 Malibu, the Eco version will retail in 100 countries on six continents, with prices to be announced closer to the release date. Eco will join the other trims in the lineup, the LS, LT and LTZ.
And since we mentioned eAssist, we reckon there's a thing or two you should know about the technology. eAssist is in fact a series of technologies (regenerative braking, electric power assistance on acceleration, fuel cut-off during deceleration and intelligent charge/discharge of the high-voltage battery) meant to help the engine be as frugal as possible.
“The Malibu ECO is a smart choice for customers who want excellent fuel economy without the price premium of popular hybrid sedans,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “The Malibu ECO’s 38-mpg highway estimate is comparable with those hybrids.”
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