Chevrolet Malibu: New for 2012
Available LS Uplevel Package includes body-side molding, Bluetooth phone
connectivity, floor mats, steering wheel audio controls and compact spare tire
and jack assembly
Available Sunroof and Convenience Package for 1LT model includes power
tilt/sliding sunroof, power six-way driver’s seat, remote start, Bluetooth phone
connectivity and 110V three-prong outlet
Available Sunroof Package for 2LT model includes power tilt/sliding sunroof,
premium floor mats and trunk mat
3LT 3.6L V-6 and 2LZ 3.6L V-6 equipment groups
Exterior color: Crystal Red Tintcoat (additional charge)
2012 Chevrolet Malibu: Highlights
The Malibu sedan marked Chevrolet’s strengthened focus on the midsize passenger car
segment, and the honors it has collected since its 2008 model year launch – including
North American Car of the Year, Consumer’s Digest Best Buy and IIHS Top Safety Pick
– confirm it’s a worthy competitor. The Malibu’s continued popularity among consumers
is the real prize, however, as Malibu sales continue to rise by double digits.
For 2012, the Chevrolet Malibu is offered in three well-equipped trim levels: LS, LT and
LTZ – all with a standard, fuel-efficient, four-cylinder 2.4L Ecotec engine and six-speed
transmission that deliver 33 mpg highway. A 252-horsepower 3.6L V-6 is the standard
engine on new 3LT and 2LZ equipment groups.
Malibu was originally launched on a promise to offer consumers more-than-expected
features for their money. Standard on all Malibu models are four-wheel anti-lock brakes;
StabiliTrak electronic stability control; six standard air bags; AM/FM stereo with CD
player and MP3 playback; SiriusXM Satellite Radio with trial subscription; OnStar 9.0
with six months of Directions and Connections service and Turn-by-Turn Navigation;
power height driver seat adjuster with power lumbar; Remote Keyless Entry and cruise
control.
Malibu design
The Malibu features a strong stance and bold proportions that reinforce its
substantial feel.
The Malibu exterior has clean, pure lines and wheels pushed to the corners,
as well as a visually lower, yet longer, greenhouse and a shorter deck.
Clean and elegant body sides are interrupted only by distinctive, wheel-oriented
forms that suggest an aggressive, stable stance. A rear profile with Corvette
cues evokes Chevrolet’s performance heritage.
The interior’s attention to detail matches the Malibu’s exterior, with an
ergonomic design using premium materials that convey quality and value.
An integrated, flowing instrument panel features a Chevrolet-signature dual-
cockpit design, with prominent gauges backlit in blue, and metallic or wood grain
accents.
Malibu interior – standard and available features
Malibu LS: Custom cloth front bucket seats, 60/40 split-folding rear, manual
fore/aft adjustment AM/FM stereo with CD player, MP3 playback and six
speakers; SiriusXM Satellite Radio (with trial subscription); OnStar 9.0 with six
months of Directions and Connections service and Turn-by-Turn Navigation;
driver seat manual fore/aft adjuster, power driver seat height adjuster with power
lumbar; Remote Keyless Entry and cruise control. Available uplevel LS package
includes, Bluetooth phone connectivity, floor mats, steering wheel audio controls
and compact spare tire and jack assembly.
Malibu 1LT adds steering wheel-mounted audio controls, USB port, ambient
lighting on front interior door handles, carpeted front and rear floor mats.
Available Sunroof and Convenience Package includes power tilt/sliding sunroof,
power six-way driver’s seat, remote start, Bluetooth phone connectivity and 110V
three-prong outlet.
Malibu 2LT/3LT add UltraLux reclining, heated, six-way power driver and front
passenger seats; remote vehicle start; leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift
knob, Bluetooth connectivity for phone and rear power center with 110V three-
prong outlet. Available Sunroof Package includes power tilt/sliding sunroof,
premium floor mats and trunk mat, inside auto-dimming rearview mirrors, power
express down/up windows
The premium Malibu LTZ adds leather-appointed front heated seats with eight-
way power driver seat and six-way power passenger seat; eight-speaker Bose
premium audio system; automatic climate control; premium carpeted front, rear
and trunk mats and power sunroof.
Other available dealer-installed equipment includes remote start (LS and
1LT), and cargo nets, a Convenience Package (cargo organizer) and Protection
Package (all-weather floor mats and splash guards) for all models.
Chassis and suspension
Malibu is designed to show that even a family-oriented midsize sedan can deliver driving
satisfaction.
A long, 112.3-inch (2,852 mm) wheelbase and wheels-at-the corner stance
enable precise, responsive ride and handling characteristics.
The balanced, four-wheel independent suspension system features a
MacPherson strut front suspension design and multi-link rear suspension.
Standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control system uses sophisticated vehicle
sensors tied to the anti-lock braking system to help the driver maintain control during
certain maneuvers, especially ones of an emergency nature.
The brake assistance feature provides full braking power when a panic-braking
event is detected. This can reduce the braking distance, providing more control in
helping to avoid a crash.
Steering response is precise and immediate, thanks to tuned steering systems
designed for each model. Malibu models equipped with the 2.4L engine use a variable
electric power-assist steering system, while V-6 models employ a hydraulic-assisted
steering system.
A family of 17- and 18-inch wheels is all tailored to provide a tight wheel-to-
body relationship.
Efficient, proven powertrains
The standard engine on the Malibu is a fuel-efficient, 169-horsepower (126
kW) four-cylinder 2.4L four-cylinder Ecotec engine with EPA-estimated fuel
economy of 22 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway.
The engine on the available 3LT and 2LZ models is 3.6L V-6 VVT – a
sophisticated, all-aluminum DOHC engine that uses continuously variable valve
technology to produce 252 horsepower (188 kW) while delivering EPA-estimated
fuel economy of 17 mpg city and 26 mpg in highway driving.
Standard six-speed transmissions enable a strong balance between
performance and fuel efficiency. They also feature TAPshift, which enables the
driver to shift manually through the gears.
All Malibu powertrains are backed by GM’s five-year/100,000-mile powertrain
warranty, the best and most comprehensive in the industry.
Safety and crash-avoidance features
The Malibu enhances its popularity as a family sedan with standard and available
features that help protect occupants before, during and after a crash. They include:
Six standard air bags: Dual-stage driver and front passenger frontal air bags,
front seat-mounted thorax protection side air bags and head curtain side-impact
air bags for front and rear outboard seats, including the GM Passenger Sensing
System.
Standard four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with StabiliTrak electronic stability
control system, traction control and panic braking assist
Three-point lap and shoulder belts in all seating positions with front safety belt
pretensioners and rear LATCH child safety seat anchors.
Safety cage construction with strategic use of high-strength steel for structural
integrity helps protect occupants; magnesium cross-car beams help improve
protection in side-impact crashes.
Tire pressure monitoring system.
Standard OnStar Automatic Crash Response.
OnStar details
Malibu is the only model in the segment to provide OnStar, which uses GPS and cellular
technology to automatically call for help in the event of moderate to severe crash,
provide route guidance or remote vehicle diagnostics. OnStar subscribers also can use
the service to be Good Samaritans by sending help to other motorists, and to call for
help in other non-crash emergencies.
OnStar is the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information
services in the United States and Canada.
Services include Stolen Vehicle Location and Stolen Vehicle Slowdown that
help recover vehicles and help prevent potentially dangerous car chases
involving stolen vehicles.
Six months of free OnStar Directions and Connections service with Turn-by-
Turn Navigation for easier route guidance. The feature is easy to use because an
advisor sends all directions to the car, without the need to stop. Turn-by-Turn
can be cost-effective, since map updates and aftermarket navigation systems are
not needed.
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For immediate release
2012 CHEVROLET MALIBU SPECIFICATIONS
Overview
Models: Chevrolet Malibu LS, LT and LTZ
Body style / driveline: sedan / front-engine, front-wheel drive
Construction: body-frame integral
EPA vehicle class: midsize car
Manufacturing location: Kansas City, Kan.
Key competitors: Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima
Engines
Ecotec 2.4L DOHC VVT 3.6L V-6 DOHC VVT
Application: std on LS, 1LT, 2LT, 1LZ std. on 3LT, 2LZ
Displacement (cu in / cc): 145 / 2384 217 / 3564
Bore & stroke (in / mm): 3.46 / 3.85 / 88 x 98 3.70 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6
Block material: cast aluminum aluminum with cast-in bore
liners
Cylinder head material: cast aluminum cast aluminum
Valvetrain: DOHC, four valves per DOHC, four valves per
cylinder; continuously variable cylinder; continuously variable
valve timing valve timing
Fuel delivery: sequential fuel injection sequential fuel injection
Compression ratio: 10.4:1 10.2:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): 169 / 126 @ 6400* (LE5) 252 / 188 @ 6300*
170 / 127 @ 6200* (LE9, gas)
Torque (lb-ft / Nm): 160 / 217 @ 4500* (LE5) 251 / 340 @ 3200*
158 / 214 @ 5200* (LE9, gas)
Recommended fuel: regular unleaded regular unleaded
Max. engine rpm (fuel cutoff): 6750 7000
Emissions controls: close-coupled catalytic dual close-coupled converters;
converter; returnless fuel rail; returnless fuel rail, two pre-
fast-response oxygen sensor and two post-oxygen sensors
EPA estimated fuel economy 22 / 33 (gas) 17 / 26
(city / hwy):
Transmission
Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed Hydra-Matic 6T40 six-speed
automatic automatic
Gear Ratio (:1)
First: 4.48 4.58
Second: 2.87 2.96
Third: 1.84 1.91
Fourth: 1.41 1.45
Fifth: 1.00 1.00
Sixth: 0.74 0.75
Reverse: 2.88 2.94
Final drive ratio: 2.77 2.89
Chassis / Suspension
Front: MacPherson strut with aluminum L-shaped control arms;
direct-acting 22-mm hollow stabilizer bar
Rear: four-link independent with twin-tube gas shocks; dual-rate
mini-block coil springs; direct-acting 19-mm solid stabilizer bar
(2.4L); direct-acting 20-mm solid stabilizer bar (3.6L)
Steering type: rack-and-pinion, electric power steering w/ 2.4L; rack-and-
pinion, hydraulic power steering w/ 3.6L
Steering ratio: 16.4:1
Steer wheel turns, lock-to-lock: 2.7
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m): 39.4 / 12.0
Brakes
Type four-wheel disc with four-channel ABS
Rotor diameter (in / mm): front: 11.65 / 296, ventilated
rear: 10.87 / 276, solid
Wheels/Tires
Wheel size and type: 17-inch; fascia spoke painted silver (LS)
17-inch; aluminum bright finish (1LT)
17-inch Chrome Tech aluminum (2LT)
18-inch aluminum bright finish (3LT, LTZ)
Tire size and type: P225/50R17 touring blackwall (LS, 1 LT, 2LT)
P225/50R18 touring blackwall (3LT, LTZ)
Dimensions
Exterior
Wheelbase (in / mm): 112.3 / 2852
Overall length (in / mm): 191.8 / 4872
Overall width (in / mm): 70.3 / 1785
Overall height (in / mm): 57.1 / 1451
Track
Front (in / mm): 59.6 / 1514
Rear (in / mm): 60 / 1524
Curb weight (lb / kg): 3432 / 1557 (LS)
3421 / 1552 (LT)
3473 / 1576 (LTZ w/ V-6)
Dimensions
Interior
Seating capacity (front / rear): 2/3
EPA passenger volume (cu ft / L): 97.7 / 2766
Headroom
Front (in /mm): 39.4 / 1000
Rear (in / mm): 37.2 / 945
Legroom
Front (in / mm): 42.2 / 1073
Rear (in / mm): 37.6 / 955
Shoulder room
Front (in / mm): 55.9 / 1421
Rear (in / mm): 53.9 / 1369
Hip room
Front (in / mm): 53 / 1346
Rear (in / mm): 52.1 / 1323
Cargo volume (cu ft / L): 15.1 / 427
Capacities
Fuel tank (gal / L): 16.4 / 62
Max towing capacity (lb / kg): 1000 / 453 (3.6L)
Engine oil (qt / L): 5.5 / 5.2 (3.6L)
5 / 4.7 (2.4L)
Cooling system (qt / L): 7.5 / 7.1 (2.4L)
10.3 / 9.7 (3.6L)
*SAE certified
Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.