2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco Priced Under $26,000

Image by skinnylawyer via Flickr

The all-new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco midsize sedan will start at $25,995 when it arrives in dealerships in the first quarter next year, reinforcing the value proposition of the midsize segment’s longest-running nameplate.
The suggested retail price includes a $760 destination charge but excludes tax, title, license and dealer fees.
The 2013 Malibu Eco is Chevrolet’s most fuel-efficient Malibu ever. It is the first Chevrolet to feature General Motors’ eAssist battery electric/gas propulsion system, which uses a state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery and an electric motor-generator to enable regenerative braking, electric assist and start-stop functionality. That helps deliver a GM-estimated 26 mpg in city driving and 38 mpg on the highway.
Malibu Eco’s highway efficiency is comparable the segment’s popular full hybrids and diesels, but delivered at a lower price:

• 2012 Ford Fusion Hybrid – $29,395 / 36 mpg
• 2012 Volkswagen Passat TDI SE Diesel (with automatic) – $27,895 / 40 mpg
• 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid – $26,660 / 39 mpg
• 2012 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid – $26,545 / 40 mpg

Malibu Eco is part of the all-new, 2013 Malibu lineup – Chevrolet’s first global midsize sedan – designed to give customers more style, fuel efficiency, content and features, along with the craftsmanship and dynamic capabilities rivaling high-end sedans. It has a more powerful engine – 182 hp / 134 kW – than the Fusion (156 hp / 116 kW), Camry (178 hp / 132 kW) or Passat (140 hp / 104 kW).
Product highlights for North American models include:

• Expressive exterior designed to stand out, with a wide, athletic stance
• Aerodynamically optimized exterior, including underbody aero enhancements and electronically controlled shutters in the lower grille that close at higher speeds to push more air over and around the vehicle
• All-new, Chevrolet-signature dual-cockpit interior that is more spacious, features premium materials and is engineered to be the quietest in the midsize segment
• First Chevrolet car to offer new Chevrolet MyLink connectivity, which integrates online services such as Pandora® Internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio®
• European-influenced ride and handling traits
• More safety features and technologies, including eight standard air bags, ultra-high-strength steel and rearview camera system.

Additional fuel-saving features include:

• Eco-specific lightweight components and systems, including an aluminum hood, aluminum rear bumper beam, low-mass carpet and dash mat and more, which save approximately 130 pounds (58 kg) over a comparably equipped non-ECO model
• An Eco gauge in the cluster that continuously responds to driving behavior, encouraging fuel-efficient driving. An Auto Stop Indicator on the tachometer informs the driver when the engine is in start-stop mode
• Seventeen-inch low-rolling-resistance all-season Goodyear tires
• The eAssist system mated to a fuel-efficient 2.4L Ecotec direct-injection four-cylinder engine and next-generation six-speed automatic transmission. The 2.4L engine, a variant of the same engine that was recognized as one of Ward's Ten Best Engines in 2010, is lightweight and features dual-overhead cams, direct injection, continuously variable intake and exhaust timing and electronic throttle control. It also has a lightweight aluminum cylinder block and cylinder head.

A five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, as well as a three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty is standard on the Malibu Eco. Certain eAssist components are covered by an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty, including the electric motor generator, three-phase electric power cables and high-voltage lithium-ion battery.
The Malibu Eco is offered with cloth or leather seats in eight exterior and three interior color choices. It is well-equipped in standard form and available with four equipment packages: Package 1 – Power Convenience; Package 2 – Premium Audio; Package 3 – Leather; and Package 4 – Navigation.
Standard powertrain and chassis content:

• Ecotec 2.4L direct injection with continuously variable valve timing and eAssist technology, rated at 182 horsepower (135 kW)
• Six-speed automatic transmission with tap-shift control
• 2.64:1 axle ratio
• Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS
• Regenerative braking
• Grade braking control
• Panic brake assist
• Electronic park brake with push button
• StabiliTrak electronic stability control system
• Electric power steering (rack-mounted)
• MacPherson strut front suspension
• Four-link rear suspension
• Seventeen-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels
• P225/55R17 all-season low-rolling-resistance Goodyear Assurance Fuel Max tires

Standard exterior content:

• Active front lower grille aero shutters and aerodynamic underbody panels
• Projector-beam headlamps with automatic exterior lamp control
• Heated, power-adjustable outside mirrors (body color)
• Fin-type combined OnStar/SiriusXM Satellite Radio antenna (body color)
• Acoustic-laminated, solar-absorbing glass
• Intermittent windshield wipers with structureless blades

Standard interior content:

• Chevrolet MyLink
• Six-inch-deep illuminated (when headlamps are on) hidden storage behind articulating touch screen radio face
• Air conditioning – dual zone automatic climate control with odor filter
• Audio system: AM/FM stereo with CD with MP3 playback and auxiliary input jack
• Seven-inch-diagonal color touch screen for the audio system
• USB port for the audio system
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio
• Six-speaker sound system
• Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity
• Cruise control
• Remote keyless entry
• Power windows with express down feature
• Power door and window locks
• Driver information center
• Tilt and telescopic steering column
• Steering wheel audio and cruise controls
• Ice blue ambient lighting
• Driver’s footrest
• Overhead console
• Compass display
• Two auxiliary power outlets
• Rear center armrest with storage

Standard safety content:

• OnStar with six months of Directions and Connections plan, including Automatic Crash Response, Crisis Assist, Stolen Vehicle Assistance, Remote Door Unlock, and more.
• Dual-stage frontal air bags
• Driver and front passenger thorax side-impact air bags
• Driver and front passenger knee air bags
• Head curtain side-impact air bags (front and rear outboard seating positions)
• Safety belt pretensioners
• Tire pressure monitoring system

Package 1 – Power Convenience includes all standard equipment plus:

• Eight-way power driver’s seat with lumbar control
• Rearview backup camera system
• Remote start
• Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror
• Universal garage door opener

Package 2 – Premium Audio includes all content in Package 1 plus:

• Pioneer nine-speaker audio system with high-output amplifier
• Fog lamps
• Leather-wrapped shifter knob and steering wheel

Package 3 – Leather includes all content in Package 2 plus:

• Leather-trimmed seating
• Eight-way power-adjustable front passenger seat with lumbar control
• Heated front seats

Package 4 – Navigation includes all content in Package 3 plus:

• Navigation system
• Memory seats and mirrors
• Auto-up driver’s window

A power-operated sunroof is available on Packages 1, 2, 3 and 4.
Exterior Color Choices:

• Silver Ice Metallic
• Black Granite Metallic
• Summit White
• Crystal Red Tintcoat
• White Diamond Tricoat
• Taupe Gray Metallic
• Steel Blue Metallic (late availability)
• Champagne Silver Metallic (late availability)

Interior Color/Trim Choices:

• Jet Black
  
• Jet Black/Titanium
• Cocoa/Light Neutral

The Eco is the first trim level of an all-new Malibu lineup to launch in the United States. Other Malibu trim levels including LS, LT and LTZ are scheduled to begin production next summer in Fairfax, Kan. and Detroit-Hamtramck. The 2013 Malibu will be sold in nearly 100 countries on six continents and will serve as a flagship Chevrolet midsize in many parts of the world. The Malibu is built in multiple locations including the United States, China and Korea.