China Finally Gets Its Hands on the Chevrolet Malibu XL Hybrid
Chevy hopes the Chevrolet Malibu XL Hybrid becomes a hit in the Asian marketplace
Photo: © General Motors
With auto sales cooling down in the United States, GM has finally released the Chevrolet Malibu XL Hybrid in China in an attempt to boost overall sales for the company around the globe.
The mid-size sedan was officially released in China on September 9th and despite having the XL title attached to its name, the Chevrolet Malibu XL Hybrid is basically just the Chinese version of the 2017 Chevy Malibu Hybrid that’s currently being sold in the United States. The reason that the Chinese model gets the XL moniker is because the previous-generation Malibu is still being sold in China, but without the XL badge.
The Chevrolet Malibu XL Hybrid is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, which is complemented by a two-motor electric drive unit that’s motivated by an 80-cell, 1.5-kWh high-performance lithium-ion battery pack. In addition, thanks to its hybrid powertrain, the Malibu XL Hybrid yields fuel efficiency of 55 mpg.
The official press release didn’t announce any of the Malibu XL Hybrid’s performance figures, but it did reveal this sedan is capable of accelerating from 0 to 62 mph in only 8.8 seconds. The American version of the car is good for 182 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque.
On the inside of the Chevrolet Malibu XL Hybrid, consumers will find many advanced features, including an 8-inch color touchscreen that can be used to operate the Chevy MyLink infotainment system. Furthermore, this infotainment system also supports Apple CarPlay smartphone integration. Other notable features include rear cross traffic alert and side blind zone alert, as well as an available Bose premium sound system.
The Chevrolet Malibu XL Hybrid has been formally priced in China between RMB 239,900 and RMB 269,900, which comes to roughly $36,000 in US currency for the base model and approximately $40,500 for the most advanced trim.
Gallery: Chevrolet Malibu XL Hybrid
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