While the new 2013 Malibu will not be powered by any engine larger than a four-pot in North America, Chevy has furtively launched the model with the 3.0 liter LF1 V6 in the Middle East.
In the region, the 3.0 liter LF1 V6 — which makes 264 hp and 222 lb.-ft. of torque in the Equinox, Malibu figures haven’t been released at time of writing — is available on the Malibu LTZ and LTZ Premium, while the same trim levels can also be had with the about-to-be-discontinued 2.4 liter Ecotec (182 hp and 172 lb.-ft.). By comparison, the North American model gets 2.5 (197 hp, 191 lb.-ft.), 2.0 turbo (259 hp, 260 lb.-ft.), and 2.4 liter eAssist powerplants (182 hp, 172 lb.-ft.).
All this is very interesting to us, since the new 2.0 Turbo is more powerful and fuel efficient than the V6 LF1 — and we don’t wish upon anyone the misfortune of having the lousy 3.0 under their hood… but we still wonder why the new 2.0 turbo isn’t in its place in the Middle East.
Hat tip to Abdulaziz A.
Comments
OK that does it now we have to have the LFX for North America.
Well , gas prices are still very low over there……
I am wondering if this is a demand issue. The 2.0T is going to be all over GM’s North American product offerings. Perhaps this is a way to ensure an adequate supply of motors. I am not intimately familiar with the workings of the Middle Eastern market, but they might simply prefer 6 cylinder motors. Either way, I think we get the better end of the deal!
Well the V-6 does fit so there will be a V6 for North America either from the factory an aftermarket tuner or even do-it-yourself. This could be the 21st-century version of a V8 vega.
North America should get a 3.6 DI twin turbo with AWD, a $40.000 base price should keep the rif raf from ruining the CAFE. It would be nice to see a SS version of the Chevy Ma and Pa family sedan that can beat up on Audi’s and Subaru’s allike.
And who knows maybee a Chevy at fourty lage woud outsell a Buick at fourty large because the image is more blue collar?
So much for GM saving weight on the Malibu structure by making it 4 cylinder only.
By using the LFX they can remove 95 in.³ of aluminum for a weight savings I hope ZORA is LOL.
Is a diesel ever gonnna come with the new malibu like the cruz will get? Please oh Please!
Wish I could get one with a 3.6 V6…
Is there any more info. about the Eng. 3.0L ? What is the HP ? 0-100KM Sec. ?Galn evry KM?
ect…..
Useless info.
Have you thought of the possibility that the information you’re asking for has not been released yet?
Because it hasn’t…
Oh, snap!
a whole article about engines, and not a single mention of horsepower numbers, simply depressing to read through till the end
Wow, didn’t mean to depress you; it looks like we incorrectly assumed everyone would be familiar with the engines and their output first hand, so we updated the article to reflect power numbers.
However, the V6 is still not rated in the 2013 Malibu in the Middle East, so we’re providing Equinox numbers to at least give you idea.
Thanks a lot Alex, it’s sad that GM are not promoting Equinox in Saudi Arabia, so I didn’t know much about the LF1 engine, however i think it is a decent power to weight ratio in the Malibu case
Ah yes, the Equinox isn’t available there. I personally like the available Captiva more than the Equinox, both of which share a common architecture.
You can find the 3.0 LF1 in the Captiva, but I think the new 2.0 turbo will be a much better performer.
They don’t use horsepower in the Mideast they use Camelpower. Because it has a more efficient cooling system.
Kilowatts.
just for us in saudi arabia v-6 lool
The 3.0 has been out here for a while and is far inferior to the previous bu 3.6. 0-100 is around 8.1 secs (drivearabia.com)… more than a second slower than the 3.6
Yeah, the 3.0L LFW isn’t a very good engine. It compromises on power while delivering nearly the same fuel economy as the larger and more powerful 3.6L LFX:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/guides/engines/lfx/