Apr
18
A look at the 2008 Chevy Malibu Hybrid
April 18, 2008 |
Chevrolet’s 2008 Malibu is a good car, but the hybrid might just be better! Take a regular Malibu sedan and add over 33% onto its fuel economy (both urban and highway) and then see what you get for a little over $22,000 base price, a good deal?
Well the 2.4 Malibu Hybrid certainly stacks up well on paper, with impressive fuel economy and perfectly serviceable performance off the line and at cruising speeds. Lets face it, if you’re buying a hybrid you have to be thinking environmentally or financially, at least to some extent, but the addition of ‘normal’ performance from the car never put anyone off.
Using the General Motors hybrid system the 2008 Malibu effectively turbocharges itself with battery power, which it draws on to boost performance under acceleration. As the car decelerates the hybrid system engages again and takes over the responsibility of providing front line power when the driver asks for it again. The same when the Malibu is stopped, it just purrs on electric power and responds quickly when asked to move off the line. This system seems to work very nicely to conserve fuel and keep the cars thirst down to a more reasonable level than the standard Chevrolet Malibu’s figures.
The 2008 Malibu is a very safe car as well and has had a good run of awards and commendations for its impact resistance, safety features and overall build quality and specification. When you couple this peace of mind with a feeling of hybrid well-being.. this makes a very nice proposition.
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