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Gray Malibu is NOT e-flex mule; this red one is

4.4K views 26 replies 25 participants last post by  caddycruiser  
#1 · (Edited)
Clarification of the Chevy Volt mule spy shots
Image

Apparently the the spy-shots of a Chevy Volt mule that turned up on-line late last night were not necessarily what they appeared to be. According to GM the photo's in question actually showed a ride and drive mule that is just testing suspension hardware. The gray car we saw earlier doesn't have any of the E-flex powertrain hardware installed. The giveaway would be the absence of a mis-shapen hood on that particular car. The red Malibu you see pictured here is actually one of the powertrain mules that has been circulating the roadways of the Milford proving ground for the last five months. Under that big lump on the drivers side of the hood lies the power electronics module. This vehicle actually has the electric drive motor, the engine/generator combination, power electronic module and a small nickel metal hydride battery pack. The pack is basically being used as a buffer between the engine/generator and motor so that those components can be tested.
 
#4 ·
That's FREAKIN' SWEET!

(nod to Peter Griffin)

:)

-John K.
 
#7 ·
Sweet I actually plan on heading out to Milford sometime tomorrow Wish me luck guys
 
#9 ·
Maybe that's why Lutz said the Volt was so bad in the wind tunnel. haha!
 
#10 ·
Funny how all it took were some fender flares to make the last gen Malibu look better....
I didn't think it was possible.....
 
#13 ·
So I spent maybe $30 filling up the Malibu today...I will gladly allow GM to install E-Flex and stick those stupid looking fender flares and the absurd hood bulge onto my Malibu in order to save money on gas. I'd even do the testing myself. Yes? No?
 
#14 ·
That red Malibu looks like some alien is trying to get out from under the hood.
 
#24 ·
who would have bought them lol
Chevy still makes the old bodystyle as the Classic for Fleet buyers only. It's actually a pretty nice package and my favorite rental car these days - peppy V-6 with the 221 hp VVT V-6, good gas mileage, huge trunk, seats 4 full size adults, and has a power height adjustable driver seat standard.

90% of the great new Malibu was in the old car - it's not some old design, it just had some incomplete engineering that was frustrating to owners and bland styling. It was and is a good value car that will run forever for cheap (oil changes every 6-8K, tires every 50K, and brakes every 45K).