Chevy Kills the Malibu Eco eAssist Hybrid

The 2014 Chevy Malibu now has a new standard four-cylinder engine that is more efficient than last year’s mild-hybrid system.

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When the current Chevy Malibu debuted last last year, it was introduced with a mild-hybrid eAssist system standard. Well there were several issues with the launch of the Malibu in 2013 and Chevy has made a host of changes to the 2014 model, which also includes a new more efficient four-cylinder base engine, which means that the un-loved mild-hybrid Malibu Eco is gone.
The 2014 Malibu’s base engine is a new 2.5L four-cylinder that gets standard stop/start technology and is rated at 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway. The mpg specs are nearly identical to the last year’s mild-hybrid version, which was rated at 25/37 mpg.

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Does this mean that Chevy’s eAssist mild-hybrid system is gone forever? It’s being reported that the automaker is working on a new system that will continue to be a mild-hybrid, but will be more efficient.

Source: Chevy via Car and Driver