Photo: Chevrolet
We're used to engineers playing the personal training role, especially when it comes to new cars, which are subjected to gruelling diets in order to become lighter, as there are a lot of benefits coming from a car that tips the scales at a lower value. Just ask the 2016 Chevy Malibu.
Engineers developing the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu put the new midsize sedan on a strength-training program, making it sweat out a pound here and a gram there, in a quest to make it more fuel efficient, stronger and safer. So, let's see what they did in detail, shall we?
To start with, more than a third of the 2016 Malibu’s weight savings – approximately 120 lb (54 kg) – comes from its new body structure, which features greater use of high-strength steels.
Secondly, aluminum was used in a generous manner and, as a result, the vehicle got leaner. For example, the aluminum hood is 6.6 lb (3 kg) lighter than current model’s steel hood, not to mention aluminum suspension components reduce unsprung mass.
Thirdly, new power window regulators overall save 4.2 lb (1.9 kg). That counts for a 34-percent reduction over the current model while another 2.2 lb (1 kg) was saved by simplifying the instrument panel.
Also, the car's seats helped reduce total weight quite a lot. The Malibu’s available leather seats are collectively 40.6 lb (18.4 kg) lighter than the current model. Talking about dieting, huh?
Last but not least, the 2016 Malibu’s 1.5-liter turbo mill is 86 lb (39 kg) lighter than the current model’s standard 2.5-liter unit. By doing so, engineers transformed the 2016 Malibu into the lightest car in its class, before the likes of 2015 Ford Fusion and 2015 Toyota Camry.
To start with, more than a third of the 2016 Malibu’s weight savings – approximately 120 lb (54 kg) – comes from its new body structure, which features greater use of high-strength steels.
Secondly, aluminum was used in a generous manner and, as a result, the vehicle got leaner. For example, the aluminum hood is 6.6 lb (3 kg) lighter than current model’s steel hood, not to mention aluminum suspension components reduce unsprung mass.
Thirdly, new power window regulators overall save 4.2 lb (1.9 kg). That counts for a 34-percent reduction over the current model while another 2.2 lb (1 kg) was saved by simplifying the instrument panel.
Also, the car's seats helped reduce total weight quite a lot. The Malibu’s available leather seats are collectively 40.6 lb (18.4 kg) lighter than the current model. Talking about dieting, huh?
Last but not least, the 2016 Malibu’s 1.5-liter turbo mill is 86 lb (39 kg) lighter than the current model’s standard 2.5-liter unit. By doing so, engineers transformed the 2016 Malibu into the lightest car in its class, before the likes of 2015 Ford Fusion and 2015 Toyota Camry.
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