While it’s a great handler and has excellent body control, the Chevy Malibu isn’t meant to be a performance car. But that doesn’t mean it’s not quick on its feet wheels. In fact, the 2.0 liter turbocharged and direct-injected Ecotec engine (RPO LTG) in the 2013 Malibu Turbo makes 259 horses and 260 lb.-ft. of torque (at 20 pounds of boost), allowing the new midsize sedan to sprint to 60 MPH (96 KPH) in a brisk 6.3 seconds, according to The General. The car can also reach a top speed of 155 MPH. Both of these stats make the 2013 model the fastest Malibu… ever.
By comparison, Ford Fusion’s 2.0 EcoBoost makes 240 horses and 270 lb.-ft. of torque, while the Hyundai Sonata’s 2.0T GDI supposedly makes 274/269… we say supposedly because who knows if the Korean automaker used the same shoddy tactics to test power output as it did for fuel economy. And most of us already know that most automakers don’t go to the same extremes as GM to test its vehicles or powertrains.
In any event, the stats should dispel any assumptions that the Malibu Turbo is slow due to its power numbers. Now if only the ‘Bu was an inch or two longer — and Hyundai and Ford published their 0-60 times… which is not to say that the metric is the foremost measurement of a midsize sedan’s market success.
Comments
Still wish it had a V6…
I understand that these new 4 cylinders make good powerand I’m just being old-school, but there’s just something about a V6/V8 thatseems so much better than a four-banger.
But it really makes me wonder how does an Accord V6 that weights about the same as the Malibu Turbo and still can go to 5.8sec? Camry makes sense because it’s about i guess 200 lbs lighter.
Those 0-60 numbers aren’t official… are they?
Otherwise, the power numbers are similar from the Accord’s V6: 278/252.
Insideline and Motortrend got 5.7-5.8 but i guess it’s one foot rollout
I hope the 2 liter has balance shafts, or nobody will want to experience that power.
Really strong performance acceleration 0-60 and considering how big the machine is quite heavy and 2L turbo 260 hp and automatic
Opel Insignia OPC 325 hp 4WD 5.9 Manual 0-60
Astra OPC 275 hp front-wheel drive Manual 5.9 0-60
Malibu, the hard work, because it’s not a performance car as well but still strong indicators
What indicators are buick regal gs turbol power transmission and acceleration.
It weighs a lot in Malibu
Buick states that the Regal GS does 0-60 MPH in “less than 6.7 seconds”, but doesn’t disclose any numbers that are more precise.
I’ve driven the Regal with this engine and I can say that it gives up nothing to a V6. These “old school” thinkers need to get behind the wheel of some of these newer cars. A V6 would only add more weight, screw up the f/r weight distribution, decrease mileage, decrease the area under the torque curve….need I go on?
@JeremyK completely agree. Boosted 4 is the new 6… They’re just as if not more powerful while being lighter, smaller, and more efficient. Although I do have to wonder if the turbo framework doesn’t make them a bit heavier and larger dimensionally compared to the sixes. Any engineer out there care to share?
I wish my HHR LT was an HHR SS… Would love me some 2.0 Turbo… 🙂
I’d have to dig up the slip and look but Im pretty sure I beat that 0 to 60 in my 06 malibu ss by a slim margin. Though Im sure this new malibu beats my fuel economy by a huge margin haha.