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Chevrolet pushes the Red Line for SEMA Red Line was last used as performance line on the Saturn line-up

October 22, 2015, 5:00 AM

Package includes silver, graphite and red exterior paint treatments, custom Charcoal roof panel, and Gloss Black red-accented nameplates and bowties.

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Next-gen Malibu to bow in the Big Apple Larger, lighter, more efficient Malibu will debut at the New York International Auto Show

March 5, 2015, 3:15 AM

With a higher-strength steel structure, the new Malibu will be about 135 kg lighter than the current model, benefiting both fuel economy and handling.

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<p>The 2016 Chevy Malibu Hybrid, which listed at $37,715 as tested in EcoRun, was powered by a new direct-injection 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine mated to a two-motor electric drive unit, which provided additional power during acceleration. The Malibu Hybrid borrows components and technologies, such as its blended regenerative braking system, from its plug-in sibling, the Volt. This system recovers kinetic energy generated during braking and stores it in the battery system to help maintain its charge. NRCan rates this mid-size family sedan at 5.0 L/100 km city, 5.1 highway, 5.1 combined. Actual fuel consumption during EcoRun was 4.4.</p>

<p>Conventional hybrids combine two or more distinct types of power, most commonly a gasoline engine and an electric motor. You get the best of both worlds without having to plug anything in.   </p>
<p>The hybrid models involved in the EcoRun are the Chevrolet Malibu, Toyota Rav4, Lexus RX 450h and the Lexus CT 200h. It's a lot of action-packed Toyota excitement in this field, and this will be the first time Canadians will be able to drive in the Malibu Hybrid.</p>

<p><strong></strong>The mid-size Toyota Highlander SUV is also on the move – “with a bullet!” – increasing sales by 43.3% to 2,964 and moving up to #30 in the overall rankings.</p>

<p>The safety feature creating the most buzz, however, is the Teen Driver system – an industry first and exclusive to the Malibu (at least for now.) The system is intended to encourage safer driving habits, especially in the 16- to 19-year-old segment, where the rate for fatal crashes per kilometre driven is three times greater than for drivers over 20 years old. The GM system, which is activated by a “teen” key fob, monitors driving behavior, including distance driven and maximum speed attained on the drive; the number of times the driver exceeded the preset (by the parents) speed limit; the number of times the anti-lock braking, stability control, forward collision alert and collision avoidance systems were activated.</p>

<p>Under the hood there’s a direct-injected 1.8L four-cylinder that features the first application an exhaust gas recovery system. The engine, which produces 122 horsepower, combines with two electric motors, one of which functions as a motor and a generator while the second motor is optimized for propulsion. The system is designed to operate in two modes – one is for electric driving and optimal acceleration; the other is optimized for highway cruising. The hybrid system’s battery is a 1.5 kWh lithium-ion modular unit and it’s capable of powering the car up to 80 km/h on its own.</p>

<p>The 2016 Malibu is loaded with advanced technologies, including connectivity features such as Apple Carplay and Android Auto – standard on LS trim and up – as well as GM’s exclusive 4G LTE Wi-Fi and OnStar features. The Malibu also makes available (on LT trim and up) a suite of advanced safety features – the most in the mid-size segment. The list includes low-speed collision avoidance braking for other vehicles (up to 60 metres ahead) and a pedestrian braking system  (up to 40 metres ahead.) Some of the other safety features are lane departure warning with a lane-keeping assist that nudges the steering wheel back into the centre of the lane, adaptive cruise control and lane change alert with blind spot warning.</p>

<p>The new Malibu is lighter, longer, roomier and loaded with advanced technologies and they all come with a price that’s lower than that of the outgoing model.  </p>
<p>Text and photos by Clare Dear</p>

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