The Chevrolet Malibu may be a humble (if stylish) family sedan, but it’s stepping quickly to match much more expensive cars with new connectivity- and efficiency- enhancing features for 2014.
For 2014, the Malibu’s standard 2.5 liter four-cylinder engine is now equipped with a stop-start system. The 196-horsepower engine automatically shuts off when the car is stopped, for added fuel savings in urban driving. This also reduces emissions in congested cities. The system works seamlessly, using a tandem solenoid-starter for smooth restarts. A larger battery is also included. Fuel economy is now rated at 25mpg in the city and 36 on the freeway. The engine has also been updated with variable intake valve lift control, which boosts torque at low revs.
“We designed the system to complement the driving conditions customers encounter everyday, making it useful without being intrusive,” says development engineer Greg Browning. “A lot of the refined performance comes from the experience drawn from GM’s eAssist electrification system, which also uses stop/start.”
Chevrolet’s MyLink became available in the Malibu this year, and for 2014 it’s upgraded with a new Text-to-Voice feature for smartphone users. iPhone users can connect Siri to the MyLink system as well. With it, incoming text messages are converted to speech and read over the audio system’s speakers. The driver can reply with preset messages, such as, “I’m driving and will contact you later,” or other pre-recorded responses. By eliminating the need for the driver to attempt to use a handheld device from behind the wheel, the new Malibu’s contributing to occupant safety while still keeping everyone connected. With more and more states implementing laws prohibiting the use of any mobile devicess while driving, text-to-speed systems are likely to become invaluable in the next few years.
For a car with a starting price of $22,965, the Malibu provides a surprising level of technological sophistication.
