AutoblogGreen

So, let me see if I've got this straight. It's got a bigger motor than the standard Tahoe, but it's got two motors to help it start and go highway speeds.

Wow, that's what I call efficient.

Reply

22mpg city for the new 2008 4c HYBRID Malibu?? Geez. I thought this might be my next new car but it looks like hell would have to freeze over first. Wow, I'm bummed out now.

Reply

1. So, let me see if I've got this straight. It's got a bigger motor than the standard Tahoe, but it's got two motors to help it start and go highway speeds.

Wow, that's what I call efficient.

Posted at 9:28PM on Oct 1st 2007 by Airmon
===============================================

One more reason why only car buffs should visit Automotive sites. Go drive your Camry--you obviously don't know anything about cars.

For other people who may be influenced by your dumb, mindless and uninformed drivel:

1. The bigger engine provides enough power in 4-cylinder mode (cylinder deactivation). A smaller engine wouldn't.

2. A "large" engine doesn't necessarily get worse fuel mileage than a "smaller" one. In fact, a "smaller' engine can often times be twice as large (and heavy) as a "large" engine.

3. The motors do not "help it start", but rather allow greater efficiency in mixed modes of driving (all without a weight and space penalty, since they fit into the space where the transmission would have been.

People like that guy above litter automotive sites; and true enthusiasts and gear heads wish they would just go away.

Here's a site for you old boy:

http://www.perezhilton.com

That's more suited to your tastes and level of knowledge. Don't ever come back here again.

Reply

So the Malibu 4-cylinder hybrid gets the same gas mileage as a regular 4-cylinder Accord and somehow this is a breakthrough?

Reply

The Malibu isn't really a hybrid or hybrid lite (like the old accord), it is a start/stop system at best. (and doesn't GM make you give up your mini-spare)
It doesn't use the 6t40 transmission yet, only the obsolete 4 speed auto. And the axle ratio is WAY too tall (3.05 vs. 3.91 of regular 2.4 & 4t45). It is a failure before it even launches. GM should wait for the transverse dual mode.

The V8 is converterd to atkinson cycle. High compression ratio with late valve closure. GM gave it half of a cycle deactivation system. It can not alternate which 4 cylinders are idled. There is probably isn't even a five pound weight penalty for the system currently installed.
What GM needs is variable valve timing (coaxial camshafts), not variable camshaft timing (which it has)

And please tell me GM somehow mounted the spare wheel in the ta-hybrid-oe inside. The lack of a spare wheel is just preposterous.

Reply

The pitch-man in the video got one thing wrong. It isn't "one motor for low speed, one for high speed". The two electric motor/generators in the "dual mode" hybrid transmission work together at low speeds, acting with the planetary gears as an electric CVT. At high speeds the transmission acts more like a conventional 4 speed transmission, but the motors can kick in an assist when needed. One of the motors also acts as a really honkin powerful starter motor for that Bigazz engine.

Reply

Thank you John!

Reply