2016 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Pulling From Volt Playbook

by Cameron Aubernon

Published: March 26th, 2015

2016 chevrolet malibu hybrid pulling from volt playbook

Pulling a few pages from the Volt playbook, Chevrolet will offer a “strong hybrid” version of the 2016 Malibu set to bow in New York next week.

Power for the Malibu Hybrid comes from a 1.8-liter direct-injection four-cylinder paired with a modified two-motor drive unit from the 2016 Volt meant to aid the engine during acceleration. Total horsepower comes to 182, and its estimated combined mileage is projected to be 45 mpg. Electric power comes from an 80-cell lithium-ion pack providing 1.5 kWh to the hybrid system, which can allow the Malibu to travel up to 55 mph on electric-only travel.

The gasoline engine is also Chevrolet’s first to have exhaust gas heat recovery, improving fuel economy and engine warm up as well as providing heat to the cabin. Further fuel economy improves come from exhaust gas recirculation, while its regenerative braking system — also shared with the 2016 Volt — helps maintain charge in the pack

The hybrid will leave Kansas City, Kan. for showrooms next spring.

#Chevrolet #Egr #ExhaustGasHeatRecovery #MalibuHybrid #MY2016 #RegenerativeBraking #Volt

Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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8 of 39 comments

Chainyanker on Mar 26, 2015

Exhaust gas recirculation? What kind of futuristic voodoo technology is this? Genius move to finally hybridize their midsizer during an oil glut.

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Carlson Fan on Mar 26, 2015

Little late to the party as this is old news. The design of the 2nd Gen Voltec is such that it can easily be adapted to a run like a conventional hybrid. Actually pretty smart on GM's part.

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- See 5 previous
- Bumpy ii on Mar 26, 2015
  
  Yep, the gen2 Volt is a regular plug-in hybrid with a big-ass battery pack and some limited selectability in power sourcing.
  
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- Carlson Fan on Mar 26, 2015
  
  @bumpy ii Hardly regular. Name me one plug-in hybrid that I can mash the pedal to floor, accelerate up to a 100 MPH and never kick in the ICE? The Volt is still in a class all its own and has the best engineered battery pack of any hybrid or electric car period. Don't believe me, just wait another 10 years when 2011 Volts are still running around with their original battery packs with little to no performance degradation.
  
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- Bumpy ii on Mar 26, 2015
  
  @Carlson Fan LaFerrari? IIRC the gen2 Volt turns on the ICE around 70mph or so, but that sort of thing is really a matter or software control (and electric motor sizing to some extent). And the Volt's batteries aren't magical. Regular deep discharges will use them up eventually. We'll just have to wait and see what amount of time "eventually" ends up being.
  
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- Carlson Fan on Mar 26, 2015
  
  @bumpy ii Show me a link or something that says the 2nd Gen Volt switches on the ICE with a fully charged battery to help propel it along @70 MPH. I've had the first Gen Volt up to 80 MPH and it was running on nothing but the battery. So I find it really hard to believe that GM went and changed that with the 2nd Gen. I can't see that there would be any reason to do it. But I'm wrong all the time, just ask my wife and kids. Never said the battery pack was magical. I said it's the best. Yes time will tell how long they are actually usable. Ya the 1.4 million dollar Ferrari. I guess you got me there. Wonder how that would do through a cold snowy Minnesota winter as an everyday driver over the course of 10 years.?
  
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- Bumpy ii on Mar 26, 2015
  
  @bumpy ii Couldn't find it now; it was something to the effect of one of the motors would overspeed due to the collective gear ratio if something wasn't declutched at 70. Maybe not?
  
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- 87 Morgan on Mar 26, 2015
  
  @bumpy ii I have driven a Prius and my business partner has a used Volt, which I have spent a lot of time in including a 400 mile round trip jaunt in one day. The Volt is by far the better choice in terms of cabin comfort, seats, lack of road noise. He had one issue which was easily rectified shortly after purchase. At the end of the day, he paid 23.5k for a used Volt that came from the factory as a demo and had yet to have the tax credits redeemed. Which makes the net in his rig 12k for an average of 68 mpg. Not bad.
  
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