2013 Chevrolet Malibu Gets High Marks in Aerodynamic Testing

As gas prices fluctuate, General Motors is determined to deliver more fuel-efficient vehicles to consumers. But achieving more MPG isn’t as simple as utilizing smaller engines. For the all-new 2013 Chevy Malibu, aerodynamics played a crucial role in its efficiency.

The latest Malibu has a drag coefficient comparable to a Corvette and nearly as efficient as the Volt electric car. Combining its sleek design with its fuel-saving eAssist technology, the Malibu ECO is able to achieve an estimated 26 mpg city and 38 mpg highway based on GM testing. Those are impressive figures for a full-size sedan.

“With the new Malibu, the design and aero teams collaborated to achieve maximum fuel efficiency for our customers without compromising the car’s visual appeal,” said John Cafaro, Chevrolet Malibu exterior design director. “The aero and aesthetic evolved simultaneously – working together, we sculpted the car in a way that makes it more slippery, applied innovative technologies like eAssist and active shutters, and we intentionally designed components such as the rear deck lid and outside rearview mirrors to help maximize fuel economy.”

When developing the new Malibu, engineers shaved 60 counts of fuel economy-robbing wind drag from the model it replaces, the equivalent of adding up to 2.5 mpg more highway driving range. Aero engineers and designers also conducted more than 400 hours of wind tunnel testing to ensure optimal fuel economy.

“Aerodynamics is driven by science.” said John Bednarchik, Chevrolet Malibu lead aerodynamic engineer. “While car designers favor wheel flares, sharp creases and other details that add style to a car, what catches the eye may disrupt the airflow, creating unwanted air turbulence and increasing drag. The new Malibu balances design needs with aerodynamic efficiency to truly benefit the customer.”

Vehicle aerodynamics remain a primary driver of overall fuel economy, especially at highway speeds. So, it’s good to know that so much attention has been placed on each and every curve of the all-new Chevy Malibu.

CEO Confirms Chevy to sell Diesel Cruze in the US

General Motors will sell a diesel version of the Chevrolet Cruze compact car in the U.S., GM CEO Dan Akerson says.

Planned for introduction in 2013, it would be the first Detroit passenger-vehicle diesel since the 2006 Jeep Liberty CRD sport-utility, and the first diesel car from Detroit since the 1980s.

A U.S. diesel Cruze has been the subject of heavy speculation, but was unconfirmed until now.

"I drove it the other day. It is great," Akerson said in an interview with USA TODAY. "These new diesels are quiet. Should make it in the low- to mid-40s, and that's with an automatic," the CEO said, referring to the likely fuel economy rating with an automatic transmission.

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The only U.S.-market compact car with a diesel now is the Volkswagen Jetta. With an automatic transmission, it is rated 30 mpg in town, 42 on the highway.

Diesel engines get 20% to 40% better mileage than similar-size gasoline engines, alluring to automakers trying to meet tightening U.S. fuel-economy regulations. But diesel fuel in the U.S. lately has averaged 5% to 10% more than regular gas. Also, diesel engines are costlier than gas engines, and require complex emissions gear, boosting the price of diesel vehicles.

GM's gasoline-engine Chevy Cruze Eco with automatic is rated 39 mpg on the highway, so a diesel would have to deliver significantly better than that to justify a higher-price car burning more expensive fuel.

"Generally, I think it's a good thing, but maybe way ahead of what the market's ready for," says Jack Nerad, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. Not only is diesel fuel more expensive, it's not sold by every service station, he notes. "And a lot of people still have the misconception that diesel is smelly, loud, sooty — what city buses were 20 years ago."

Nevertheless, Nerad says, a diesel Cruze is smart marketing: "The fuel economy number they can point to probably is a good one."

GM wouldn't hint at pricing or give other details about the diesel Cruze because it is more than a year off. A Jetta diesel with automatic is $24,865.

Diesel backers believe a diesel in a popular, mainstream car such as Cruze finally could be a breakthrough in the historically diesel-averse U.S., convincing other automakers to modify their overseas diesels to meet U.S. regulations and offer the diesels here, too.

GM is at least considering packaging the diesel in a hatchback version of Cruze sold overseas.

Akerson offered some other hints of GM's powertrain future, citing electric vehicles and those fueled by clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG): "We're going to introduce battery-only vehicles…CNG vehicles. Stay tuned. This is not the old GM."

Nissan's Leaf is the only mainstream battery car sold in the U.S. GM's Chevy Volt is an extended-range electric that goes about 35 miles on batteries, then switches on a gasoline engine to generate more electricity for the batteries so Volt can keep running when a plug-in recharge isn't available.

Diesels are common in much of the world because many countries heavily tax fuel to encourage sales of fuel-efficient vehicles such as diesels. Gasoline prices in major European countries this month, for example, have averaged around $8 a gallon, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Diesel runs from slightly more to 15% less.

Cruze was the best-selling car in the country last month. Japanese companies normally dominate the top-seller list, but were short of cars because of interruptions in parts flow after the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

For the first six months of this year, Cruze is the seventh-best-selling car.

OnStar Connects Family Members While They’re On The Road

OnStar has launched a new optional service called Family Link, linking subscribers to their loved ones when driving an OnStar-equipped vehicle.

This new service enables users to log onto the Family Link website to view a map with their loved one’s exact location at any time (pictured above). Subscribers can set up email or text message notifications to let them know the location of their loved one’s vehicle. They can choose the day, time and frequency of the alerts.

“Our subscribers have asked us for a solution to help them stay connected to their family when they’re on the road,” said OnStar President Linda Marshall. “What parent hasn’t asked their teenaged driver to call or send a text when they arrive somewhere, only to not hear from them? Family Link’s Vehicle Locate feature lets a parent check on their child’s progress or help determine when he/she might be home safe and sound.

The OnStar Family Link service is currently in a pilot phase and is accessible by invitation only. Approximately 10,000 active U.S. OnStar subscribers will be invited to the program.

Subscriber interest and comments from the pilot program’s users will guide decisions for launch and pricing of this service. Regardless, OnStar believes the service will provide greater peace of mind for subscribers while their loved ones are on the road.


via Chevrolet in the news