2014 Chevrolet Malibu With Stop-Start System Overview
Chevrolet launched an all-new Malibu for the 2013 model
year, but it was less successful at winning sales than Chevy had hoped.
In an attempt to increase its appeal, a revised 2014 Malibu is arriving
at dealer showrooms now with a new look outside and in, including a
freshened front-end and inside, a redesigned center console and a
roomier rear seat.
But the changes go beyond cosmetic.
Malibu peeked into the parts bin of its bigger brother, the 2014
Impala, and picked up suspension enhancements, that Chevy says improves
Malibu’s overall sense of driving refinement. And, to satisfy enthusiast
drivers, engineers tweaked Malibu’s optional 2.0-liter turbo four
resulting in a 14-percent increase in torque – 295 pounds-feet now, up
from 260.
Also, several new safety features are available for 2014, including Side Blind Zone and Rear Cross Traffic alerts.
But wait, there’s more.
In a somewhat surprising move, the entry Malibu LS now comes standard
with a stop-start system, the first midsize sedan sold in the United
States that is so equipped. Combined with refinements of its 2.5-liter
four-cylinder engine and a new six-speed automatic transmission, the LS
has a significant fuel economy increase compared with the outgoing
model.
The fuel-saving and emissions- reducing feature has become
commonplace in Europe where it’s estimated that 40 to 45 percent of
vehicles use the technology to meet European emission regulations.
Stop-start has been slow to catch on with U.S. automakers in part
because of cost. For example, it is a $295 option on the 2014 Ford
Fusion.
Another reason is that the driving cycles established by the
Environmental Protection Agency, which helps determine mileage ratings
for cars and trucks, don’t have an appropriate test to help determine a
stop-start system’s effectiveness on mileage ratings.
When asked why Chevy included stop-start on the Malibu LS, Chad
Lyons, Chevrolet communications manager said, “Customers are sensitive
to fuel economy and we think it just makes sense.”
Not said was that more stringent Corporate Average Fuel Economy
(CAFE) standards are set for 2016, and the 2014 Malibu will help General
Motors to meet those requirements.
Malibu Stop-Start System
The Malibu’s stop-start falls under the category of a “light
stop-start system.” Like other systems, the Malibu’ stop-start operates
automatically and doesn’t require any input from the driver. It helps
conserve fuel by shutting off the engine when the car comes to a stop,
such as at stoplights. The engine automatically restarts when the driver
takes his or her foot off the brake.
Todd Pawlik, Malibu chief engineer, stated that leveraging knowledge
from the start system used on eAssist (Malibu Eco), was key to improving
city fuel ratings by 3 mpg, or five percent on Malibu’s entry-level
model, compared to the 2013 model.
The system consists mainly of a beefed-up starter and a small auxiliary battery located behind the right rear wheel.
When the Malibu comes to a stop, an auxiliary electric transmission
fluid pump maintains pressure in preparation for the “auto start”
launch.
Ensuring quick, smooth start-ups from stop, the reinforced starter
motor has a tandem solenoid. It supports change of mind operation by
allowing the pinion placement and starter rotation to be controlled
independently.
Employing absorbed glass mat (AGM) technology, the auxiliary
battery’s purpose is to supply power to the vehicle’s electrical systems
(not including the starter motor) for the brief moments when the engine
is being re-started.
The stop-start system monitors – among other things – vehicle speed,
climate control system operation and the force a driver applies to the
brake pedal, to determine whether it is efficient to shut off the engine
in certain driving conditions. For example, if a driver is creeping
along at speeds less than 6 mph, with frequent brief braking as in
stop-and-go traffic situations, the engine does not shut down so as to
not inconvenience the driver.
Most vehicles with stop-start have a shut off switch allowing drivers
to simply turn it off if they’re not happy with it. The Malibu will not
have an optional kill switch.
Under The Hood
Stop-start isn’t the only 2014 Malibu fuel saving enabler. The car
receives an improved Ecotec 2.5-liter four cylinder engine that also is
used in the recently launched 2014 Impala.
The 2.5 continues with direct injection and variable valve timing, but for 2014 engineers incorporated a new valvetrain technology known as Intake Valve Lift Control. It saves fuel via a “low lift” mode. Under light loads, the intake valves open just enough for the engine to pump only the air it needs to meet the driver’s demand, eliminating what is called pumping losses.
The system switches to high-lift mode at higher speeds or under heavy loads, providing the full output capability of the engine.
A new six-speed automatic transmission makes its debut in the 2014 Malibu 2.5 SL. It includes improvements that reduce the energy required to pump transmission fluid, which enables additional fuel economy savings.
The new engine is SAE-certified at 196 horsepower and 186 pounds-feet of torque, both down slightly from the outgoing 2013 Malibu. But fuel economy has improved to an EPA estimate of 23 city/35 highway – a five percent improvement in city mileage and three percent greater highway efficiency.
Design Elements
Exterior changes to the 2014 Malibu’s exterior were limited to the
front end, which were influenced by the full-size 2014 Impala. The new
look features an emphasized lower grille and the hood extends down and
over the leading edge of a narrower upper grille. The grille openings —
with black grille texture — are wider and accented with chrome, which
adds style that was lacking in the previous car.
Out back, the Malibu continues with two pairs of squared-off,
Camaro-like taillights. The top-end LTZ trim sports dual stainless-steel
exhaust tips.
The cabin has an open, airy feeling with quality looking soft-touch
materials in all of the right places. The dash design is Chevrolet’s
trademark cockpit style that features two large instrument clusters with
easy-to-read white on black gauges.
A redesigned center console has a more user-friendly extended armrest
along with a pair of cup holders and a very thoughtful feature – a
dedicated stow area for two cell phones.
The interior’s key upgrade is redesigned rear seats that provide an
additional 1.25 inches of knee space and greater seating comfort. Front
seatbacks were reshaped to gain the legroom, while new cushion
sculpturing and revised cushion material allow passengers to sit deeper
in the rear seats.
Standard features on the 2014 Malibu LS include remote keyless entry,
power locks, windows and outside mirrors, cruise control, air
conditioning, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, a six-speaker audio
system with AM/FM/CD/satellite radio and Bluetooth phone connectivity.
On the safety front, all 2014 Malibus have 10 airbags including front
and rear airbags and dual rear side-mounted airbags. To assist drivers
in avoiding accidents standard are four-channel anti-lock disc brakes,
stability and traction control, brake force distribution, and corner
brake control.
Pricing
Pricing is, as you might expect, slightly higher for the 2014 Malibu
LS over the 2013 model. The sticker price is $22,965 including an $895
destination charge, a $395 increase.
Moving up, the Malibu 1LT is priced at $24,335, the 2LT at $26,040
and $28,515 for the top LTZ trim. The 2013 Malibu Eco with the eAssist
system carries over and starts at $26,670.