2009 GM Vehicles Post MPG Increase; Saab Aero 4Cyl Pkg; Malibu Hybrid Gets Big Boost

[WishIhadatruck]

A 4mpg bump in the city is a big deal when the Malibu already has 2nd best city fuel economy (I think the Altima is #1). 4 mpg is quite a bit, 18% improvement. For what little the hybrid option is I think it is quite a good deal. Sure a HSD or 2-mode will do even better but you'll pay even more for that.

People don't always buy hybrids because they make financial sense. New cars at all don't make good financial sense anyway. If gas prices keep going up the extra few mpg will become even more valueable.

I don't get the Aero change either. You really can't compare the '08 Aero fuel economy to the '09 car with the turbo-4 motor and an Aero appearance package. They are NOT the same car. Not that it isn't a good idea to offer the top model with the more fuel efficient powerplant since some may prefer that combo but the comparison is not really valid. I think the days are past where people should expect to buy the most powerful motor when getting the top of the line option package. Even those with money to burn that desire luxury options are starting to desire fuel efficient powertrains. The desire for more power is slowing down finally.

[AMERICA 123]

Originally Posted by Perian

It's good to see GM doing all they can with existing models as fast as they can..

Right on .

Thanks for putting up this thread - hoprfully we can add to it.

[djo165]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

But you're not calling it an M3 or an M1 or an M whatever. It's a whatever-series with a sport package.

9-3 Aero. That's what it is apparently called.... and it isn't.

Apparently, Aero now equals RS, or Rally Sport. Basically, just an appearance package. Don't know for sure.

For those discussing BMW's with the sports package, that usually means significantly different suspension tuning, wheels, tires, and steering than the base levels. It's not just for looks, although I'm sure many people get it for that reason.

[Xenon]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

But you're not calling it an M3 or an M1 or an M whatever. It's a whatever-series with a sport package.

9-3 Aero. That's what it is apparently called.... and it isn't.

If you want to get real tenical about it, Saab's real performance badge is Viggen, and thats been out of the lineup since 2002. Aero is just a trim level , and besides it doesn't carry the same cachet as SS does for Chevy.

[Xenon]

Originally Posted by ronald mcretard

One thing I have wondered about low rolling resistance tires: do they increase stopping distance? I'll look it up now.

EDIT: It seems they do increase stopping distance by at least a few percent, although there are some that dispute that.

The MPG you gain by swapping low rolling resistantaice tires int worthwhile in my eyes. Since the rolling friction is lower in the tires,MPG is gained since it takes less effort to get moving, but at the cost of worse accelration figures, and longer braking distances. I'd hate to see how bad the braking distance is in wet weather.

[Quickening]

Saab 9-3 Aero:
2008 MPG: 16/26
2009 MPG: 19/29
How it was done:
Aero-type appearance and performance package is now an available option on 2.0T 4 cylinder “Sport” FWD models.

Thats what the original Aero was before the introduction of the 2.8 Turbo V6. Its a great set up and the 29 highway is a JOKE. I never get lower than 32 on the highway and its more like 34 or 35 (going 70 -80)

[member12]

Originally Posted by Greg Burr

It's probably not price competitive with a 2-mode. 4 MPG in the city is a great improvement. The 2-mode will be cool, though.

Gas would have to be more expensive for the two mode to make since. The Camry Hybrid get up to about $29K MSRP....so I would guess a two mode Malibu would be higher than that...but also return better mileage.

I bet the opportunity cost of sticking it to OPEC and these speculators is worth the premium.....unless they switch from sweet crude to material used in li-ion batteries.

[TheWraith]

Originally Posted by vdoh182

5.3 liter silverado with 6 speed gets 14/20, compared to 14/19 in the regular 4x4 model, the 6 speed doesnt seem to have helped much.

http://media.gm.com/us/chevrolet/en/...o/09index.html

with 3.42 gears, it does nothing. 6th gear is .67 in a 6l80e vs 4th in the 4l60e, which is .70. that drops rpms a whopping 4 - 5% in top gear cruising. they should have went from a 3.42 to a 3.00 gear, the low gears in the 6l80e more than compensate.

[1487]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Okay...the Malibu Hybrid gets 1 MPG Highway better than the regular Malibu...and only 4 MPG city better.
Christ. Just make it Two-Mode for God's sake and give it near 40 MPG.

easier said that done. Cars dont have room for the two mode's battery pack. it has been stated MANY times that GM doesnt plan to use the two mode system on its small and midsize cars.

[windvale]

Originally Posted by member12

Gas would have to be more expensive for the two mode to make since. The Camry Hybrid get up to about $29K MSRP....so I would guess a two mode Malibu would be higher than that...but also return better mileage.

I bet the opportunity cost of sticking it to OPEC and these speculators is worth the premium.....unless they switch from sweet crude to material used in li-ion batteries.

MSRP on the 2009 Camry Hybrid is $25,350 (see link below), and at $4.00 a gallon it'll save you over $500 dollars a year vs a non-hybrid Camry.

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...ta-camry-2.htm

When gas was $2.00 a gallon, Full-Hybrids didn't make much financial sense. With gas at $4.00 a gallon, and maybe $6.00 by labor day - they are making a lot of financial sense...

[psece]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Wait... WHAT????

A 2.0T Aero model? What's the HP rating on this so-called Aero engine? Is it also 280HP???

If I understand this correctly, All Saab did was add an Aero "effects package" onto the Arc/Linear model and call it a day. It's an Aero... but not really. That's like saying... Here's an M3, but we didn't drop in the engine, but gave you everything else and called it an M3 anyways.

If anyone doesn't know it yet, don't mess with Saab. Mgescuro doesn't like it! CAFE and Gas Prices.... What a concept....

[prototype66]

I'm not a fan of the Aveo but.......................Very good MPG numbers and this puts the Aveo right where it should have been from the get go. Now do the same to the cobalt and malibu.

[63GrandSport001]

Originally Posted by windvale

MSRP on the 2009 Camry Hybrid is $25,350 (see link below), and at $4.00 a gallon it'll save you over $500 dollars a year vs a non-hybrid Camry.

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffwor...ta-camry-2.htm

When gas was $2.00 a gallon, Full-Hybrids didn't make much financial sense. With gas at $4.00 a gallon, and maybe $6.00 by labor day - they are making a lot of financial sense...

IT is making more sense with gas prices as high as they are however these high gas prices are combined with a worsening economy so people are much likely to down size rather then spend more money to save money at the pump a few years down the road. Someone is more likely to buy a Corolla over a Camry hybrid and get great mileage from that along with a lower price tag savings all around.

[mechgmguy]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Okay...the Malibu Hybrid gets 1 MPG Highway better than the regular Malibu...and only 4 MPG city better.
Christ. Just make it Two-Mode for God's sake and give it near 40 MPG.

OK... but then from this statement I conclude you clearly dont understand how hybrid systems work. (but dont worry most people dont)

When driving on the highway, the electric systems do NOT help very much (in either the BAS or 2-mode) the gas engine is running constantly, the electric will only help highway drivers who accelerate and brake alot on the highway. (which never helps economy anyways...) SO switching the from the BAS to the 2-mode will not give it +6mpg hwy.
When comparing the hybrid to the non-hybrid 4cyl the highway milage should be close. Also remember that the hybrid with the combination of the electric drive also will deliver better bhp than the 4 cyl version. So comparing the hybrid directly against the 4 cyl is incorrect as it provides more HP.

[K-1]

Originally Posted by mechgmguy

OK... but then from this statement I conclude you clearly dont understand how hybrid systems work. (but dont worry most people dont)

When driving on the highway, the electric systems do NOT help very much (in either the BAS or 2-mode) the gas engine is running constantly, the electric will only help highway drivers who accelerate and brake alot on the highway. (which never helps economy anyways...) SO switching the from the BAS to the 2-mode will not give it +6mpg hwy.
When comparing the hybrid to the non-hybrid 4cyl the highway milage should be close. Also remember that the hybrid with the combination of the electric drive also will deliver better bhp than the 4 cyl version. So comparing the hybrid directly against the 4 cyl is incorrect as it provides more HP.

It's the Atkinson style timing (LIVC) that really helps highway mileage. The trade-off in power for efficiency is made up with the electric motor. The LRR tires help too.

This explains why the BAS hybrids get near HSD highway efficiency.