Malibu to get 6spd auto behind 4cyl soon after production
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Malibu to get 6spd auto behind 4cyl soon after production
Straight from the horses mouth
GMblogs.com
Is this the first soft of official statement that this will happen? I hadn't seen anything until this.
GMblogs.com
I had two late builds at home for a test-drive: a base four-cylinder with a well-matched four-speed automatic transmission (there will also be an optional six-speed automatic available with the four, shortly after introduction), 16-inch steel wheels, cloth, and few accoutrements save power windows; and also a loaded LTZ V6 with two-tone all-leather interior and 3.6-liter 252-hp engine.
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It was announced at NAIS in January that the 4 cyl. would be available with the 6 speed auto in the LTZ trim. I think it's awesome. Pretty much makes the hybrid redundant.
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A guy I work with just ordered a Nissan altima couple with a 4 cyl 6 speed manual. They have that continuously variable tranny... so however that works??
Last edited by Silverado C-10; Jul 31, 2007 at 09:28 AM.
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http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/09/d...s-a-makeover/3
Under the hood, you'll no longer find any pushrods, as the Ecotec four-banger is standard, while the "High Feature" DOHC 3.6L V6 provides additional motivation. A new six-speed auto is available with both engines, which is the first time such a trans has been paired with a four-cylinder in this segment.
Taking another tack towards this "news", it's always amusing to see an auto company re-releasing information like this in an attempt to catch the attention of another media cycle. Obviously, it usually works, because auto fans and auto writers alike tend to have short memories.
Last edited by Eric Bryant; Jul 31, 2007 at 08:59 PM.
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So I will be able to get a fully decked out Malibu without having to get the V6? That would be awsome, but I wonder if the Ecotec will be able to pull the extra weight?
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The 2.4 ecotec gets the G6 to 60 in a little over 9 seconds or so with the 4 speed auto, so I'd think the Malibu should do better and probably feel better doing it with the 6 speed. If they could get it down to 8.5 with a linear feeling power delivery, I think that would be adequate for the class.
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So after reading over on GMsource.com, is the Malibu only going to come with the Ecotec and the 3.6 V6? If so, are the 3.5 and 3.9 dead? Don't remember seeing anything about GM killing off the 3.5 and 3.9.
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As far as we know, the 2008 only comes in 2.4, 2.4 Hybrid and 3.6 (High Feature) V6 flavors.
My guess is that using the 3.6 in such a high volume car is an indicator that the 3.5 and 3.9 will eventually be discontinued. My understanding was always that cost was a factor in putting the 3.6 in more vehicles. Once they reach a certain economy of scale, the 3.6 will probably become the mainstream GM V6, much like the 3800 was for many years.
My guess is that using the 3.6 in such a high volume car is an indicator that the 3.5 and 3.9 will eventually be discontinued. My understanding was always that cost was a factor in putting the 3.6 in more vehicles. Once they reach a certain economy of scale, the 3.6 will probably become the mainstream GM V6, much like the 3800 was for many years.
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You are correct. From nearly seven months ago:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/09/d...s-a-makeover/3
I would have thought that more people would have paid attention to such news - it's kind of a big deal.
Taking another tack towards this "news", it's always amusing to see an auto company re-releasing information like this in an attempt to catch the attention of another media cycle. Obviously, it usually works, because auto fans and auto writers alike tend to have short memories.
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/09/d...s-a-makeover/3
I would have thought that more people would have paid attention to such news - it's kind of a big deal.
Taking another tack towards this "news", it's always amusing to see an auto company re-releasing information like this in an attempt to catch the attention of another media cycle. Obviously, it usually works, because auto fans and auto writers alike tend to have short memories.
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If you read the link I posted above, you'd see that this was also announced in January at NAIAS - no OHV engines for the new 'bu. I don't know where this leaves the 3.5 and 3.9; I suspect they'll eventually end up only under the hoods of the compact SUVs, although it might ultimately make sense to kill them off in favor of building only a single family of OHC V6s (which is what nearly every other car company has settled on).
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To Silverado C-10: That sounds like it probably has shift point positions for the CVT. Instead of just continually variabilling from 0-100 to 100-0(pulley size and stuff, complicated, pm me.) it just jerks to that specific 40-60 or 70-30 positioning of the pulleys. Sounds nice if it is for things like sport driving, but the point of a CVT was to auto "shift" through gears without changing engine RPM and just increase vehicle speed.
Last edited by DAKMOR; Aug 2, 2007 at 10:45 PM.
