The next-generation Chevrolet Malibu will bring to the table several new bells and whistles when it makes its way to market, but perhaps the most important feature will be the debut of its all-new 2.5 liter Ecotec four cylinder engine.
When the new ‘Bu rolled onto the stage during the 2011 New York International Auto Show, GM already had disclosed that the engine is expected to push out around 190 horsepower and 180 lb-ft. of torque, which equates to a 12 percent improvement in horsepower and a full 16 percent more torque than the meek 2.4 liter Ecotec found in the present Malibu. Additionally, engine friction is down 16 percent. And while fuel economy numbers remain tight-lipped, look for as much as 35 miles per gallon on the highway. But power and fuel economy numbers aside, it’s the expected refinement figures that GM hopes will separate the new midsized Chevy from the competition.
GM engineers have managed to dial down the noise intensity of the new 2.5L compared to the old 2.4 by as much as 40 percent, thanks to several new implementations. For instance, there’s a stronger forged steel crankshaft that helps enable quieter and smoother engine operation at high revs, and several sound-proofing elements such as a structural front engine cover, a structural cam cover and even a lightweight composite acoustic intake manifold cover. There’s also a two-piece oil pan design with an upper section made of aluminum to provide structural support and a stamped steel lower section to dampen overall noise. You can read more about the Malibu’s quiet-tuning features here, and by reading the presser below.
Comments
the oil pan 2 piece makes for a deep skirt almost block, to minimize the noise coming from the bottom of the block and directing the noise down to the ground instead of out the side of the engine. a lot of tech in a small package.
The new 2.5 Ecotec engine is an exceptionally astute design that has more attractive features than any other similar size engine I know of. The inverted tooth cam drive chain will quiet a bit of noise, the bedplate still more, and the extensive block stiffening shapes and bolt-on accessories still more. Note the forged crankshaft with its very refined distribution of counterbalancing mass, along with full counterweighting. I am anxious to see how this engine compares as a driving experience with the latest Camry 2.5 engine which left me unimpressed with its NVH performance at high RPM.