2014 Chevrolet Malibu gets more torque, more room and inspiration from the Impala

The 2014 Chevrolet Malibu, having stared at the Impala across the showroom floor for a year, gets nips and tucks all over inspired by its larger brother. The 2.5-liter four-cylinder in the base car will get a stop-start system and 23 city miles per gallon, 35 highway, each number representing a one-mpg improvement over the 2013 car. Output is 196 horsepower and 186 pound-feet of torque.

Opt for the 2.0-liter turbo and, while power holds steady at 259 hp, torque goes up by 14 percent to a striking 295 lb-ft (a figure Chevy calls best in the class). The final details include newly programmed transmission shift points and faster shifts, for better engaging and enjoying the added power.

Looks-wise, the grille's been reshaped to be more in line with the new Chevrolet look, a narrower upper grille hovering over a larger lower grille. You can get a look for yourself in our gallery of images, which should also grow substantially over the course of the day, as Chevy releases more pictures.

Inside we find more room for rear seat passengers: an extra 1.25 inches of knee room coming courtesy of shorter bolsters, redesigned front seat backs and new cushioning that puts passengers deeper in the seat. Those up front get a new center console with longer armrests, two cupholders and cell phone receptacles.

Changes to the struts and damping are aimed at an improved ride, the addition of blind spot monitoring and Rear Cross Traffic Alert aimed at improving safety. You can read more about the 2014 version of the Chevy Malibu, in the press release below, before it goes on sale this fall.

Source: autoblog.com