2008 Malibu Hybrid Spied

Volty · 07-04-2007, 04:33 PM

From thegmsource

more pictures http://www.thegmsource.com/index.php?categ...2_articleid=513

john1701a · 07-04-2007, 04:57 PM

The technology offers a small efficiency gain, but no smog-related emission improvement.

How well has its sibling been selling, the Aura hybrid?

nytimez · 07-04-2007, 07:19 PM

I don't know the details of the hybrid Malibu, although I support the concept... but the main reason I chose the Prius is because all the other hybrid vehicles had too much of a price increase (versus their non-hybrid counterparts) for a relatively minor bump in fuel efficiency. I hope future hybrids do better, but a 5 mpg-ish gain just isn't going to excite a lot of consumers.

JackDodge · 07-04-2007, 08:15 PM

Let me guess, without reading the article or knowing anything about the car itself. A mild hybrid right? All that it really does is shut off at stoplights or when you're in line at the dealership to get the latest defect fixed. Wow, GM takes another giant one-inch leap forward. YAWN!

LaughingMan · 07-04-2007, 09:06 PM

The rear end of this vehicle looks like a strange copy of the Honda Civic. Not so good...

Nothing to see here. No big efficiency gains, and i bet it's still just a LEV II.

Godiva · 07-04-2007, 09:44 PM

Looks like Volty is looking for some more hits on his website.

At least it doesn't have a lot of chrome. Still has that "big butt" front end, though.

Jonnycat26 · 07-04-2007, 09:58 PM

I recently took out the Aura for a test drive, and have to say I was really impressed by how well put together the car was. Honestly, the fit and finish is a step up from the Prius. For example, the door panels didn't flex when my knee rested against it, and there were a lot of thoughtful touches like a telescoping steering wheel.

Unfortunately I'd have to wait for a hybrid. Most of them are going to various taxi companies across the border in NYC, and consumers are stuck waiting. But I suppose they're going to get better use out of them than a regular consumer would.

So bottom line is, do I wait, or do I go with a conventional car instead? They said they'd give me 11K for a Prius trade in, which given the mileage (close to 70K on a 2004) and the condition (f'n Toyota, couldn't you have used a dash material that wouldn't warp) is fair.

Family Hybrid · 07-04-2007, 10:38 PM

Nice Passat.

Seriously, the fact that GM is putting more hybrid systems in their vehicles is a plus. I am not a GM guy, but at least this gives buyers more choices.

john1701a · 07-04-2007, 10:54 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Family Hybrid @ Jul 4 2007, 09:38 PM) [snapback]473254[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Seriously, the fact that GM is putting more hybrid systems in their vehicles is a plus.
[/b]

The "consumers are stuck waiting" comment leaves you wondering about how serious they really are.

A small number of mild hybrids won't make much of a difference, especially from such a large automaker.

Jonnycat26 · 07-04-2007, 11:01 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(john1701a @ Jul 4 2007, 10:54 PM) [snapback]473262[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The "consumers are stuck waiting" comment leaves you wondering about how serious they really are.
[/b]

Just like the Prius, they're off to a slow start. And just like the Prius, I'm sure there will be more than enough to meet demand.

But on the plus side, at least they're not turning into lot queens, like the HiHy, which I'm sure we both agree is a good thing.

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07-04-2007, 04:33 PM	#1
Volty Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 25 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	From thegmsource more pictures http://www.thegmsource.com/index.php?categ...2_articleid=513

07-04-2007, 04:57 PM	#2
john1701a Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,721 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: Pioneer #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	The technology offers a small efficiency gain, but no smog-related emission improvement. How well has its sibling been selling, the Aura hybrid?

07-04-2007, 07:19 PM	#3
nytimez Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 82 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I don't know the details of the hybrid Malibu, although I support the concept... but the main reason I chose the Prius is because all the other hybrid vehicles had too much of a price increase (versus their non-hybrid counterparts) for a relatively minor bump in fuel efficiency. I hope future hybrids do better, but a 5 mpg-ish gain just isn't going to excite a lot of consumers.

07-04-2007, 08:15 PM	#4
JackDodge Independent voter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Bloomfield Hills, MI Posts: 2,304 My Car: Other Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Let me guess, without reading the article or knowing anything about the car itself. A mild hybrid right? All that it really does is shut off at stoplights or when you're in line at the dealership to get the latest defect fixed. Wow, GM takes another giant one-inch leap forward. YAWN!

07-04-2007, 09:06 PM	#5
LaughingMan Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marlborough, MA Posts: 1,386 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The rear end of this vehicle looks like a strange copy of the Honda Civic. Not so good... Nothing to see here. No big efficiency gains, and i bet it's still just a LEV II.

07-04-2007, 09:44 PM	#6
Godiva AmeriKan Citizen Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 10,027 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #1 Nominated 3 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 6	Looks like Volty is looking for some more hits on his website. At least it doesn't have a lot of chrome. Still has that "big butt" front end, though.

07-04-2007, 09:58 PM	#7
Jonnycat26 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New Brunswick, NJ Posts: 1,712 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I recently took out the Aura for a test drive, and have to say I was really impressed by how well put together the car was. Honestly, the fit and finish is a step up from the Prius. For example, the door panels didn't flex when my knee rested against it, and there were a lot of thoughtful touches like a telescoping steering wheel. Unfortunately I'd have to wait for a hybrid. Most of them are going to various taxi companies across the border in NYC, and consumers are stuck waiting. But I suppose they're going to get better use out of them than a regular consumer would. So bottom line is, do I wait, or do I go with a conventional car instead? They said they'd give me 11K for a Prius trade in, which given the mileage (close to 70K on a 2004) and the condition (f'n Toyota, couldn't you have used a dash material that wouldn't warp) is fair.

07-04-2007, 10:38 PM	#8
Family Hybrid Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 85 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Nice Passat. Seriously, the fact that GM is putting more hybrid systems in their vehicles is a plus. I am not a GM guy, but at least this gives buyers more choices.