2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco Priced from $25,995, Slightly Undercuts Hybrid Competitors

November 22, 2011 at 4:49pm by Alexander Stoklosa

Chevrolet has announced that the 2013 Malibu Eco will start at $25,995—higher than most non-hybrid mid-size sedans, but lower than mid-size hybrid players such as the Ford Fusion and Toyota Camry. The Eco model will spearhead the new global 2013 Chevrolet Malibu’s launch in the U.S. in early 2012—the presumably cheaper gas-only model, powered by a new 2.5-liter four-cylinder, will arrive later.

The Eco’s middle-of-the-road pricing makes sense: it’s a mild hybrid system—essentially the same as Buick’s eAssist—but unlike Toyota’s hybrid system, the electric motor cannot power the car on its own. As a result, fuel-economy estimates are an unexceptional (in the hybrid context) 26 mpg in the city and 38 on the highway; higher than a conventional gas-powered sedan’s, but lower than its hybrid competitors. Furthermore, the Eco’s 2.4-liter four combined with its electric motor/generator is good for 182 hp—less than some competitors’ four-cylinders. For comparison, the 2012 Toyota Camry hybrid LE returns 43 and 39 mpg city/highway, packs 200 hp, and is priced from $26,660. That’s not a whole lot more money for markedly better city fuel economy and comparable highway thrift. On the other end of the spectrum, the $21,455 base 2012 Hyundai Sonata—with a six-speed automatic—makes 198 hp and gets 24 and 35 mpg city/highway. At the moment, it appears the Malibu Eco’s pricing may be slightly out of step with its capabilities, but we will reserve judgment until we drive a production model for ourselves.

Tags: Chevrolet, Chevrolet Malibu Eco |

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Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car Announces B-Spec Class for 2012 Season, Releases List of Competitors

The recent rash of B-Spec race cars automakers such as Honda, Mazda, Ford, and Kia have shown off at various auto shows and events this past year finally have a racing series in which to compete. The Pirelli World Challenge series has announced that its upcoming season will have a Touring Car class for the pint-size racers, and it released a preliminary list of seven models set to compete, as well the three World Challenge events in which they’ll take part. A few of the cars, like the Ford Fiesta, Kia Rio, and Fiat 500, we already knew about. In the case of the Honda Fit and Mazda 2, we actually raced them. The two cars we didn’t know would be participating, and whose manufacturers have yet to officially announce any B-Spec affiliation, are the Chevrolet Sonic and the Nissan Versa.

The cars will run in the exact same state of tune in the World Challenge as they do in SCCA Club Racing, save for tires. Modifications for racing are limited to shocks, springs, and required safety equipment such as roll cages, harnesses, and the like. None of the cars will be factory-backed, in keeping with the grassroots-style racing that the SCCA, Pirelli World Challenge, and the manufacturers want to push in the B-Spec class. The three Touring Car B-Spec events are slated for Miller Motorsports Park, Detroit’s Belle Isle, and Mosport International Raceway. Miller will be the first event, running in April. The B-spec class will run two 30-minute races plus one 40-minute race each weekend, for a total of nine events. Racing these things at the 25 Hours of Thunderhill was a blast, and we’re already envisioning our long-term Mazda 2 with a full cage and squatting over race rubber. Just kidding, Mazda…

Tags: B-Spec, Chevrolet Sonic, Chevy, Fiat 500, Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, Kia Rio, Mazda 2, Nissan Versa, Pirelli World Challenge Touring Car, racing, SCCA |

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