All-New Malibu is Larger, More Technological and Efficient

New hybrid sedan projected to offer segment unsurpassed 47 MPG combined

Chevrolet today introduced the all-new 2016 Malibu – a completely restyled midsize sedan engineered to offer more efficiency, connectivity and advanced safety features than ever.

An all-new hybrid powertrain, which leverages technology from the Chevrolet Volt, will help offer a GM-estimated 48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway – and 47 mpg combined, unsurpassed in the segment. The Malibu’s standard 1.5L turbo powertrain is projected to offer 37 mpg highway. 

2016 Malibu is nearly 300 pounds lighter and has wheelbase that’s been stretched
nearly 4 inches, making it more fuel efficient, more functional and more agile.

The 2016 Malibu is also longer and lighter, with more interior space and improved fuel efficiency. Its wheelbase has been stretched close to four inches (101 mm), and it is nearly 300 pounds (136 kg) lighter than the current model.

“Midsize customers tell us they want great fuel economy, connected technologies, wrapped in a gorgeous exterior. This is exactly what the 2016 Malibu was engineered to do,” said Jesse Ortega, Malibu chief engineer.

The 2016 Malibu goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2015. Additional vehicle highlights:

• Available segment-exclusive OnStar 4G LTE in-vehicle connectivity as well as available wireless phone charging
• Agile, sophisticated and sleek exterior design incorporates sophisticated details that advance Chevrolet’s signature cues
• Standard preventive safety technologies include 10 standard air bags, with available features such as Forward Collision Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Automatic Parking Assist is also available
• All-new Teen Driver feature, which allows parents to view their kids’ driving statistics, such as maximum speed, warning alerts and more
• All-new, power-dense Ecotec 1.5L turbo engine with fuel-saving stop/start technology is standard, offering a GM-estimated 160 hp (119 kW)
• High-output 2.0L turbo with GM-estimated 250 hp (186 kW) is available and is mated with a new eight-speed automatic transmission.

The new Malibu will be offered in L, LS, LT and Premier trims, as well as the Hybrid model. The Premier trim, Chevrolet’s new uplevel designation, debuts in the 2016 Malibu. Additional model and trim details will be announced closer to the start of production.

Malibu Hybrid technology

The 2016 Malibu introduces new strong hybrid technology that leverages components and knowledge directly from the plug-in Chevrolet Volt. The Malibu Hybrid offers a GM-estimated 48 mpg city, 45 mpg highway and 47 mpg combined – while maintaining the styling, comfort, driving dynamics and connectivity as gas-only models.

An all-new, direct-injection 1.8L four-cylinder engine mated to a two-motor drive unit, slightly modified from the 2016 Chevrolet Volt drive unit, powers the Malibu Hybrid. The drive unit provides additional power to assist the engine during acceleration, for 182 horsepower (136 kW) of total system power.

The engine also features Chevrolet’s first application of Exhaust Gas Heat Recovery, or EGHR, technology, which uses exhaust heat to warm the engine and cabin.  EGHR improves engine warm up and ensures consistent fuel economy performance in cold weather. Additional fuel economy benefits come from Exhaust Gas Recirculation, or EGR.

An 80-cell, 1.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack provides electric power to the hybrid system. It can power the Malibu Hybrid up to 55 miles per hour (88 km/h) on electricity alone. The gasoline-powered engine automatically comes on at higher speeds and high loads to provide additional power.

In addition to the drive unit, the Malibu Hybrid also shares the 2016 Volt’s blended regenerative braking system, which provides maximum kinetic energy recovery during braking to be stored into the battery system to help maintain charge, and drive unit power electronics.

Turbocharged performance and efficiency

An all-new, Ecotec 1.5L turbo is the standard engine in the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu, offering a GM-estimated 37 mpg on the highway. It is part of a new global family of small-displacement gas engines designed with greater power density to deliver confident performance with excellent efficiency.

The new 1.5L turbo employs the stop/start technology introduced on the 2014 Malibu, which enhances efficiency in stop-and-go driving, contributing to a GM-estimated 27 mpg in city driving – an 8-percent increase over the current model. On the highway, 1.5L-equipped models also feature active grille shutters that reduce aerodynamic drag to optimize efficiency.

The Malibu’s more-efficient standard engine delivers a GM-estimated 160 horsepower (119 kW) and 184 lb-ft of torque (250 Nm). The torque is comparable to the current model’s standard 2.5L naturally aspirated engine in a vehicle package that’s nearly 300 pounds lighter. 

A higher-output 2.0L turbocharged engine is available, offering a GM-estimated 250 horsepower (186 kW) and 258 lb-ft of torque (350 Nm), for a higher degree of performance – but not at the expense of good efficiency. Malibu 2.0T models are GM-estimated at 22 mpg in the city and 32 on the highway.

An all-new, GM-developed eight-speed automatic transmission – the first eight-speed automatic in a GM front-wheel-drive vehicle – contributes to the 2.0T’s balance of performance and efficiency. The 1.5L turbo engine is matched with a six-speed automatic.

Teen Driver and an expanded range of safety features

Teen Driver, a standard feature on most trim levels of the next-generation Malibu, supports safe driving habits by muting the audio or any device paired with the vehicle when front-seat occupants aren’t wearing their safety belts. Teen Driver also provides audible and visual warnings when the vehicle is traveling over predetermined speeds.

To use Teen Driver, a parent enables the feature with a PIN in the Settings menu of the Malibu’s MyLink system, which allows them to register their teen’s key fob. The system’s settings are turned on only to registered key fobs.

Chevrolet is the first in the industry with a built-in system that lets parents view on a display how their teenager drove the vehicle. Maximum speed reached, distance driven and number of times active safety features were engaged are among the parameters that can be confirmed.

Teen Driver complements a roster of standard and available safety features, including a rear-view camera system standard on LS, LT, Hybrid and Premier models.

• Ten air bags, including front-seat knee air bags, head-curtain side-impact air bags and seat-mounted side air bags, are also standard.
• Rear-view camera system is standard on LS, LT, Hybrid and Premier models.

Available active safety features include:

• Front Pedestrian Alert that uses a forward-looking camera to help avoid or reduce the harm caused by crashes with pedestrians ahead of the vehicle. The system can apply automatic last-second braking
• New Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning
• Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert
• New Forward Collision Alert with Following Distance Indicator
• Rear Cross Traffic Alert
• Front and Rear Park Assist
• Intellibeam, which automatically switches the headlamps to high beam for better road illumination and improved visibility
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Automatic Braking
• Automatic Parking Assist.

Sleeker design with lighter, stronger body structure

With a wheelbase stretching 3.6 inches (91 mm) longer than the current Malibu, along with a 2.3-inch (58 mm) longer overall length and the same overall width, the 2016 Malibu strikes  a sleeker-looking proportion. The added wheelbase helps provide better in-cabin comfort and functionality.

With styling influenced by the 2014 Impala, the all-new Malibu advances Chevrolet’s global design language with features such as slim, sweeping headlamps and a progressive take on the brand’s characteristic dual-port grille. Three body-side creases also add drama to the design and help distinguish the Malibu as a contemporary Chevy.

The hood and the cowl – the area where the windshield meets the hood – are lower than the current model and contribute to the Malibu’s greater aerodynamic performance, as do active grille shutters on LS and LT models.

Premium design cues are incorporated on all models, with contemporary lighting technology featured across the lineup, including light-emitting diode (LED) daytime running lamps on LT and Premier models. The Malibu Premier also receives LED taillamps.

Beneath the new Malibu’s athletic-looking skin is a stronger, lighter body structure that contributes to its efficiency and driving dynamics. Greater use of high-strength steels enabled engineers to design the body structure with thinner components in some areas, delivering comparable crash performance with lower weight. The all-new body structure accounts for more than one-third of the Malibu’s nearly 300-pound weight reduction.

Roomier, more comfortable and more connected interior

The longer wheelbase allows a more open execution of Chevrolet’s signature dual-cockpit interior. Rear legroom improves by 1.3 inches (33 mm).

The cabin’s open, expansive feel is reinforced with a greater emphasis on comfort, convenience and connectivity, allowing the Malibu to keep pace with customers’ connected lives. Highlights include:

• Chevrolet MyLink with a seven-inch-diagonal color capacitive touch screen is standard on LS, LT and Hybrid models
• Chevrolet MyLink with an eight-inch-diagonal capacitive touch screen is available on LT and Hybrid models and standard on Premier model
• Chevrolet MyLink with navigation is available with the eight-inch MyLink system and features three-dimensional map views for most major U.S. cities and attractions
• All-new Teen Driver feature is supported by the eight-inch MyLink system, allowing parents to restrict certain vehicle functions to support safer driving and to view their kids’ driving statistics such as maximum speed, warning alerts and more
• OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot is standard on all models with a three-month/3GB data trial (whichever comes first)
• Wireless phone charging available on LT and Hybrid and standard on Premier
• Dual rear-seat USB ports and a 110-volt power outlet is optional on LT and standard on Premier trim.

The instrument panel “center stack” is all-new, with greater delineation between the infotainment system and climate system controls for easier, at-a-glance operation. The Malibu’s interior is also features:

• Galvano (satin) chrome accents on the instrument panel and center console
• Dedicated storage slot for mobile phones, which incorporates wireless charging, if equipped
• Perforated leather-appointed seating surfaces available on LT and Hybrid and standard on Premier
• Ventilated seats – a first for Malibu – are standard on Premier.

Manufacturing

The 2016 Malibu will be built from globally sourced parts at GM’s Fairfax Assembly Plant, in Kansas City, Kansas. The plant received a $600 million investment in paint shop and tooling upgrades in 2013.

FAST FACT: The 2016 Malibu represents the ninth generation of Chevrolet’s signature midsize sedan. It was introduced in 1964.

2015 Tahoe and Suburban Add Connectivity, Convenience

OnStar 4G LTE, wireless charging and hands-free liftgate enhance new SUVs

New connectivity and convenience features are coming this fall to the recently launched 2015 Tahoe and Suburban, enhancing the redesigned SUVs and adding to the momentum of one of Chevrolet’s most successful launches this year.

The new features include OnStar 4G LTE with a standard built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, wireless phone charging capability and a hands-free liftgate. All will be offered in vehicles produced starting in October.

“The 2015 Tahoe and Suburban have resonated with families who want maximum capability combined with comfort and efficiency,” said Sandor Piszar, director of Chevrolet Marketing. “These new technologies make Chevrolet’s class-leading full-size SUVs even more attractive as the go-to vehicles for active lifestyles.”

Chevrolet is the first and only car brand to bring built-in 4G LTE Wi-Fi to cars, trucks and crossovers.

Year-over-year Tahoe sales jumped 51.5 percent in July. They’re up 18 percent for the year, with Suburban sales up more than 3 percent. Together they hold almost 50 percent of the segment and play an important role in Chevrolet’s success – and in General Motors’ profitability.

OnStar with 4G LTE with a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot is standard on LT and LTZ models. It provides a mobile hub for drivers and passengers to stay connected. The hotspot is on whenever the vehicle is on and comes with a three-month/three gigabyte data trial (whichever comes first), after which the customer can purchase additional data.

The hands-free liftgate and wireless phone charging are included with the available Luxury Package on LT models and they’re standard on LTZ. The hands-free liftgate feature allows a customer with a keyless entry fob – and full hands – to open and close the liftgate by waving his or her foot under a sensor beneath the rear fascia.

With the wireless phone charging feature, a magnetic inductive charging system allows users to simply place their phone on a small mat in the vehicle, where it wirelessly charges.

All-new for 2015

Introduced earlier this year, the redesigned 2015 Tahoe and Surburban are offered in LS, LT and LTZ models, with functionality and technology features including:

• The segment’s only Front Center Air Bag (bucket seat models), which deploys from the inboard side of the driver’s seat and inflates between the driver and front passenger, providing added protection for both front occupants in side-impact crashes
• Fold-flat second- and third-row seats that enhance cargo convenience – including an available power-folding feature
• Up to six USB ports and six power outlets – including a 110-volt three-prong outlet –  to support electronic devices of all kinds for a total of up to 12 charging locations
• Available rear-seat entertainment system with Blu-ray DVD player
• Conversation mirror in the overhead console that provides a panoramic view of the rear seats
• Keyless entry and push-button start
• Up to 94.7 cubic feet of cargo room behind the front seats with the rear seats folded in Tahoe and up to 121.1 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded in Suburban.

A new EcoTec3 5.3L V-8 engine is standard in Tahoe and Suburban and features direct injection, cylinder deactivation, continuously variable valve timing and an advanced combustion system designed to make the most of power, torque and efficiency across a broad range of operating conditions. They contribute to EPA-estimated 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway (2WD models) – a nearly 10 percent increase in highway mileage over the previous models and 7 percent greater city mileage.

Chevrolet supports Tahoe and Suburban customers with two years/24,000 miles (whichever comes first) of scheduled maintenance, covering four oil changes, tire rotations and 27-point inspections. It complements the three-year/36,000-mile (whichever comes first) bumper-to-bumper limited vehicle warranty and five-year/100,000-mile (whichever comes first) powertrain limited warranty.

To view our complete inventory of 2015 Tahoes and Suburbans, visit www.kupper-chevrolet.com. 

Sonic Named Kelley Blue Book 10 Best Back-to-School Car

Only American-made car on the list

The Chevrolet Sonic, available at Kupper Chevrolet, is the only subcompact car made in America, and is once again one of the 10 Best Back-to-School Cars of 2014 chosen by Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com. For the third year in a row, the Sonic was recognized by the editors at KBB.com for its practicality, affordability, style, features and personality.

“The Sonic is ideal for students, offering technology and connectivity, safety and economy in a stylish affordable package,” says New Car Sales Manager, Justin Rambur, of Kupper Chevrolet. “This recognition shows that the Chevrolet brand is committed to the subcompact segment and continues to offer young drivers great options.” 

The Sonic is the only car on the list built in America and is the only domestic model included. It is assembled at General Motors’ Orion Assembly plant in Orion Township, Mich.

Kelley Blue Book’s KBB.com touted the Sonic in the past for its stylish appearance and exciting performance, while still focusing on safety with 10 airbags and fuel efficiency with 40 mpg highway.

An advanced safety package including forward collision alert and lane departure warning – crash-avoidance technologies typically found on more expensive vehicles – is also available on all but base Sonic models, as well as a rear vision camera.

For the 2015 model year, the Sonic will add standard OnStar with 4G LTE and a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot, which provides a mobile hub for drivers and passengers to stay connected. The hotspot is on whenever the car is on and comes with a three-month/three-gigabyte data trial.

With the Sonic’s Siri Eyes Free integration, students with a compatible iPhone running iOS6 or iOS7 can direct Siri to perform a number of tasks through the available MyLink infotainment system while they safely keep their eyes on the road and their hands on the wheel. Drivers also can use their smartphone to drive navigation through the MyLink system with the available BringGo navigation app, and listen to their favorite radio station nationwide through the available TuneIn application.

Visit kupper-chevrolet.com to view our inventory and see what other cars we have that are great for back-to-school!

Small Crossovers Are the New Utility Players

Versatility and value are helping make compact crossovers and SUVs among the hottest vehicles in the country. Chevrolet is helping meet the demand with its strongest lineup in history, including the Equinox and – early next year – the new Trax.

“Compact crossovers and SUVs make sense for so many consumers,” said Steve Majoros, marketing director, Chevrolet. “Suited to adapt to whatever life throws at them, our customers want a vehicle that can do – and go – anywhere, and they want it with expressive design and fuel efficiency.

“It’s a tall order and it’s why Equinox sales have risen nearly every year since we introduced the original in 2006,” he said. “Next year, the Trax will provide this same flexibility in a smaller footprint.”

Equinox retail sales in June were up 11 percent from June 2013. Chevrolet has sold nearly 1.5 million Equinoxes since the first generation was introduced in 2005. A second generation was released for the 2010 model year.

The popularity of Equinox has helped Chevrolet grow its share of the segment from 7 percent to more than 10 percent in the past eight years.

Market shift

Overall, demand for compact crossovers and SUVs has nearly doubled since 2008, from 10 percent to 18 percent of the market, according to AutoTrader.com.

“Sales of crossovers of all sorts have been growing significantly in recent years, but the growth in sales of smaller crossovers and SUVs has been nothing short of phenomenal,” said Michelle Krebs, senior analyst for AutoTrader.com. “It’s easy to see why, with the segment being so versatile to meet the needs of a wide variety of car buyers. They can carry people, serve as a substitute truck or haul bigger cargo while still driving like a car.”

According to AutoTrader.com’s research, crossovers and small SUVs are the only growing segments within the SUV market and, for the first time, outpace two other segments that have experienced consistent growth in the past eight years – compact and midsize sedans.

“I call my Chevy Equinox my ‘multi-tool’ of vehicles,” said Gail Haffey of Beverly Hills, Mich. “It fits my family’s needs perfectly, from traveling to our summer cottage, to flipping down the seats to haul cargo and supplies from the garden shop, to my daily commute to work. Plus, the fuel economy is great, so I get versatility and value in one package.”

The Equinox seats five, offers a maximum cargo capacity of 63.7 cubic feet and a maximum towing rating of 3,500 pounds (3.6L V-6 models) and an EPA-rated 32 mpg highway (2.4L FWD models).

Both the Equinox and GMC Terrain with available forward collision alert technology received 2014 Top Safety Pick+ ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the only midsize SUVs of nine evaluated to earn Good ratings in the Institute’s small overlap front crash test.

For 2015, Chevrolet brings OnStar 4G LTE capabilities to Equinox and Trax. Combined with standard Chevrolet MyLink, these technologies accommodate customers’ increasingly connected lifestyles with a more reliable connection during road trips, connectivity for up to seven devices, and range of up to 50 feet outside the vehicle.

Making Trax

The Chevrolet Trax small SUV – a customer favorite in the global markets where it’s already being sold, arrives in the U.S. early next year. Part of another fast-growing segment, Trax sales have grown from just over 3,000 in 2006 to more than 90,000 last year.

Trax will offer eight different seating arrangements with 60/40 split rear seats and a fold-flat front passenger seat, as well as more than 48 cubic feet of cargo space and a standard turbocharged engine. Both Equinox and Trax are available with all-wheel drive.

Suburban Offers Every Comfort for Vacation Cruising

Full-size SUV keeps modern families entertained and connected, too

Chevrolet’s full-size Suburban SUV has ample space and comfort to carry up to nine passengers and their gear on long hauls – and brings cutting-edge technology along for the ride.

Summer is in full swing and with it comes the traditional American road trip. Last year, an estimated 40 million travelers hit the road for the July 4 holiday, according to AAA. While travelers once relied on the alphabet or license plate games to pass the time on long trips, the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban entertains passengers in the most high-tech way.

Additionally, the Suburban’s available maximum trailering package has the capability to tow 8,300 pounds, perfect for hauling a travel trailer, boats, jet skis and other seasonal toys.

“The 2015 Suburban has every creature comfort the modern family needs for a long haul,” said Sandor Piszar, director of Chevrolet Marketing. “With some of the most state-of-the-art technologies available in the industry, the Suburban is sure to give everyone something to do mile after mile.”

The Suburban offers passengers individual entertainment with wireless headphones so they can independently experience the available Blu-ray™ overhead entertainment screens, AM/FM or satellite radio, media devices synced through the available MyLink system’s Bluetooth^® connection, or media connected to built-in USB ports or SD card slots. A composite plug-in in the center console allows rear-seat passengers to play a game system through the overhead, 9-inch LCD entertainment screens.

To ensure the entertainment keeps rolling, 12 power outlets – including multiple 110-volt, three-prong outlets – are available to charge game systems, cell phones and tablets.

Gaming and other media are not limited to what passengers bring into the vehicle, either. This fall, the 2015 Chevrolet Suburban will be available with OnStar 4G LTE, providing a built-in Wi-Fi hotspot to seven devices on one data connection for as little as $5 per month. The stronger connection of the built-in 4G LTE antenna provides data service where traditional cellular service might not, perfect for accessing the Internet on that long trip down desolate roads.

The Wi-Fi connection has a range of 30 feet outside the vehicle, so the entertainment can continue even during roadside stops.

If the entertainment goes low-tech, an acoustic-laminated windshield and inlaid doors with triple seals reduce wind and exterior noise in the cabin, making conversations less of a shouting match.

Long road trips require lots of gear. With a maximum 121.1 cubic feet of cargo space available with the second- and third-row seats folded down, two passengers can pack enough for days on the road. If the traveling party is larger, the Suburban offers ample seating configurations, including a folding second row, and 60/40 split rear row.

The Suburban has class-leading fuel economy of 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway, with a 31-gallon fuel tank.

Its comprehensive safety systems include available Adaptive Cruise Control to ensure the Suburban doesn’t get too close to a vehicle traveling in front of it. Front Automatic Braking automatically applies the brake if it gets too close to another vehicle while under the driver’s control. Side Blind Zone and Lane Change Alert make sure the driver knows what’s coming down the Suburban’s side, and Rear Cross Traffic Alert warns the driver if a car is crossing behind the vehicle while backing out of a parking space.

The all-new Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe went on sale earlier this year. Sales are up 14 percent year-over-year through May, with many customers opting for the top-of-the-line level LTZ trim package.