Harry P. Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 I just read that the previously announced 2014 Malibu hybrid has been canceled. The reason? The hybrid version was to have been priced almost $4,000 more than a base model "normal" Malibu, yet the conventionally-powered base model Malibu gets the same mileage as the hybrid, for thousands $$$ less! You can't make this stuff up! Check it out: http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1087614_2014-chevrolet-malibu-eco-mild-hybrid-canceled-base-model-equals-it-in-mpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Kucaba Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 And to that, add the cost of a super long extension cord! (sorry, just couldn't resist! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niteowl7710 Posted October 10, 2013 Share Posted October 10, 2013 Well have you seen the prices of hamsters lately? Through the ROOF I tell ya Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinfan5 Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 Not really shocking news TBH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racephoto1 Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 When you have 25 billion taxpayer dollars to play with, who cares what it costs.It isn't GM's money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Handley Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 (edited) Not really much of a point that system anyway, they should be trying to put the Volt's system into more mainstream platforms. As much as I dislike Honda's system (seems utterly useless on something without at least a few hundred horses), that "mild hybrid" system seemed even more useless. Edited October 11, 2013 by Joe Handley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 If Toyota can do it you would think GM could pull it off. l may be wrong but killing Pontiac, Oldsmobile, and your still not number 1 is a big step backwards.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Handley Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 If they would put "Extended Range EV" system into more than just the Volt and the upcoming ELR, that might help Slusher. Rework that Malibu (as well as the new Impala and all the FWD crossovers) to use that system and maybe continue to use that same updated standard Malibu engine with it, it could make a big difference in mileage and might even make them more desirable than they currently are. I'd be more interested in the Malibu if it were an E.R.E.V. than the standard version. Same goes for the SUV hybrid system, start putting it into the pickups and vans, maybe with power outlets to operated electric tools. I honestly think this would sell to the more forward thinking people in this country! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted October 11, 2013 Author Share Posted October 11, 2013 When GM spends millions to develop a hybrid Malibu, only to scrap it just before production because it doesn't get any better mileage than the regular Malibu, that has to be a bit embarrassing. Sounds like a few bigwigs were asleep at the switch, or the left hand didn't know what the right hand was doing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Handley Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 That system has been around for a number of years now, it was originally used in the Saturn Vue Greenline pre economic collapse, only they used NiMH packs at first. GM probably invested some money in it, but I'd be surprised if it cost them more than the 4 wheel steering on the full sized pickups did, and not only did that last 2-3 years, but now you can't even get the parts for them anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casey Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 40mpg highway? That's sooooooo 1975! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Handley Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 Difference is though, todays 40mpg cars aren't just empty tin cans with lawn mower engines, they're nearly as well featured as the luxury cars of that era, and probably safer too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niteowl7710 Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 17 anti-corrosion methods and they still rusted into the ground. How's that whole "metric is the new standard of American measurement" thing working out? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Smith Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 Difference is though, todays 40mpg cars aren't just empty tin cans with lawn mower engines, they're nearly as well featured as the luxury cars of that era, and probably safer too! True. My car is the lightest in its "economy" class for 2013 models, but still heavier than most economy cars of the 80s by a couple hundred pounds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skydime Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 And i feel a little better now knowing why my mom and dad didnt visit the gas station often in their 77 and 83 Chevettes. I dont really care for these "hybrid" vehicles when there are too many existing technologies that could increase gas mileage. unfortunately, we will never see them mass produced. And as far as newer Malibus are concerned, I wouldn't have one without the V6 like the one in my 08 LTZ. It avereages 30 miles per gallon at highway speed of 70mph and has an excepftional amount of power for whats under the hood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gtx6970 Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 40 mpg is nuttin My 1996 Contour will easily pull high 30's and will get 40-41 mpg if I nurse it in hi-way driving and it's a 1996 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordairgtar Posted October 11, 2013 Share Posted October 11, 2013 My HHR panel gets darned good mileage. About 30, but sometimes even into the 40s, plus it can haul stuff being kind of a trucklet. Chevy blew it when they quit making these. They easily could have updated that grille to reflect Chevy corporat design and competed with the Transit Connect and the Nissan NV 200 and the forth coming Ram small truck/van that will be made by Fiat. But noone ever accused GM of being smart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie8575 Posted October 12, 2013 Share Posted October 12, 2013 36 MPG in the regular gas Malibu is pretty decent. I do wish they'd put a small six in it, though. Those 4-cylinder engines simply aren't smooth enough for my tastes. The 2012 Impala I had for a rental last year with the new 24-valve V6 was incredibly nice and still returned an honest 31-32 MPG, which is nothing to carp about, either. I'd love to see GM make a wholesale move to the diesel V6 in the bigger FWD cars. The new Impala with a 4-cylinder engine is embarassing, espcially considering a Taurus or Charger both come with a V6 standard, for about the same amount of money. Paying an extra $3500 to get the engine it should have in the first place is not cool. Charlie Larkin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moparmagiclives Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 It's amazing how much people worry about fuel mileage, but flush money down the toilet in almost every other aspect of their life. If you figure it out over say ten years, almost every car out there will cost very very close to the same to own in the long run. Purches price/maintenance/fuel/insurance. It's all sales tactics. I can't even begin to count how many PAID OFF cars have been traded in for the new super efficiant Dart, and it's not even that great on gas really. And that's the first thing they come back and complain about after getting one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slusher Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 A family member had a automatic chevette. Air conditioner would cut off going up hill and never got no where near 40mpg maybe 30 if l remember.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbill Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 it's a shame the volt was so much money, that car was packed with so much technology, and is a great city vehicle. I don't just say this willy-nilly, I work for a chevy dealer, and took a ton of training for the service/repair of the volt. great idea, pretty good execution, just missed the price point a bit [ok, a lot]. I was like everyone else when it came out, until I drove one and took the training, it's an awesome automobile! I too am a bit set back by the e-assist set up, as it doesn't make much sense to me [makes sense, just doesn't seem practical for real world experience]. I do feel eventually electric or electric assist vehicles will be the norm, we tend to repeat history, I think it was in the early 1920's that city fleet delivery trucks were battery powered, I remember seeing pics of AA trucks with a battery of batteries under the chassis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordairgtar Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 it's a shame the volt was so much money, that car was packed with so much technology, and is a great city vehicle. I don't just say this willy-nilly, I work for a chevy dealer, and took a ton of training for the service/repair of the volt. great idea, pretty good execution, just missed the price point a bit [ok, a lot]. I was like everyone else when it came out, until I drove one and took the training, it's an awesome automobile! I too am a bit set back by the e-assist set up, as it doesn't make much sense to me [makes sense, just doesn't seem practical for real world experience]. I do feel eventually electric or electric assist vehicles will be the norm, we tend to repeat history, I think it was in the early 1920's that city fleet delivery trucks were battery powered, I remember seeing pics of AA trucks with a battery of batteries under the chassis. I got to go to a seminar about the Volt because I had purchased a couple of cars from my local Chevy dealer. I agree, the Volt had some awesome tech in it. I got to drive it and thought, My what a nice car. Needed more range on the battery though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbill Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 that's why i said it's a great city car, range is rather limited on pure battery. i almost leased one, i took one home one day, on a full charge i got from work to home and back again [almost 40 miles]. at the time, i figured i could plug it in at work, and fuel-wise i could drive for free. just couldn't pull the trigger though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordairgtar Posted October 13, 2013 Share Posted October 13, 2013 Yes, and truth be told, I see several Volts in my city at times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harry P. Posted October 13, 2013 Author Share Posted October 13, 2013 that's why i said it's a great city car, range is rather limited on pure battery. i almost leased one, i took one home one day, on a full charge i got from work to home and back again [almost 40 miles]. at the time, i figured i could plug it in at work, and fuel-wise i could drive for free. just couldn't pull the trigger though Drive for free after dropping 40 grand, that is. Or buy a normal car that gets 30 MPG or better, at half that price. After 10 years you're probably ahead of the game with the normal car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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