The Chevrolet Malibu hybrid is a hybrid-electric sedan produced by American automaker Usual Motors between 2008 and 2010. The Malibu hybrid is model consonant to the conventional Malibu, which solely uses a Gauze engine. In spite of a almost corresponding appearance, the inner workings of the Malibu hybrid are bona fide colorful.
Driveline
The Chevy Malibu hybrid uses a combination of a 2.4 litre, 16-valve Ecotec inline 4-cylinder Gauze engine and a 36-volt electric Engine to supply driving authority. It is a analogue hybrid, notion that both the Gauze engine and electric Engine are attached to the transmission, and both can endowment the vehivle directly. The complete output of the Malibu hybrid is 164 horsepower at 6,400 RPM and 159 lbs.-ft. of torque at 5,000 RPM.
Regenerative Braking
The Chevy Malibu hybrid uses a regenerative braking manner, which uses little electric generators positioned near all four wheels, To gather strength that would otherwise be wasted as heat and friction during braking or downhill driving. This compel supplies ability for the battery pack, eventually running the electric Engine. The Malibu hybrid's regenerative braking works boon when drivers operate glowing power to the brakes over longer periods of generation, causing the batteries to charge enhanced quickly.
Fuel Efficiency
The presence of the 36-volt electric Engine takes stress off of the Gauze engine, which is a relatively petty engine to start with. The close is an burgeoning in fuel economy over models of the Malibu that act sole a conventional Gauze engine. The 2008 edition of the Malibu hybrid can close 24 miles per gallon in city conditions and 32 MPG on the highway, while the 2009 model can get 26 MPG and 34 MPG, respectively.
The Malibu hybrid uses a conventional front engine/front-wheel drive layout with the engine and motor mounted under the hood in a transverse position, perpendicular to the length of the vehicle. For 2009, Chevy introduced new 17-inch tires with a low rolling resistance tread, meant to aid in increasing fuel economy even further. The proportion of gas engine and electric motor power is controlled by a hybrid control unit, which receives input from sensors throughout the drivetrain and adjusts the hybrid system based on power needs and battery level.
In total, the Malibu only realizes an increase in fuel efficiency of about two miles per gallon. However, this type of system is significantly less expensive than so-called full hybrid systems, allowing it to remain in the Malibu's traditional mid-level price range. The 2009 Malibu hybrid went on sale for about $24,000.
