2013 GM Malibu aerodynamics
 

...source GM article: http://media.gm.com/content/media/us...2_aerodynamics

...here's the graphic:


http://media.gm.com/content/Pages/ne...ynamics.jp.jpg

...summary:

10 counts: Underbody panels – on half the under structure.
10 counts: Rounded front corners – from the bottom of the fascia up through the headlamps – help air flow smoothly along the Malibu’s body sides
10 counts: Tire deflectors positioned forward of the front tires act as “mini-air dams” to minimize wind disruptions.
7 counts: The closed upper grille on select models pushes wind to the sides of the Malibu
7 counts: Outside rearview mirrors are specifically designed to deflect wind without “upsetting” the airflow
7 counts: Shutters in the lower grill opening on select models open and close automatically to maximize aerodynamic efficiency. This increases cooling airflow to the engine under certain conditions, such as under high-engine loads at low speeds, and reduces aerodynamic drag when extra cooling is not needed
5 counts : The front air dam redirects airflow to minimize aerodynamic disruptions
5 counts : The notch angle of the vehicle – the angle from the top of the rear glass to the trailing edge of the decklid – was optimized to reduce wind drag
2 counts : An integrated decklid spoiler incorporates a crisp, trailing edge that helps separate air from the rear of the Malibu.

graphic
 

Would be nice for high school students.Thanks!

...graphically (and numerically) illustrates *which* aeromods produce the greatest returns and which don't.

The rear built-in spoiler matches the description.

Chevrolet Malibu ECO 2013 Pictures Review and Spec-Car Wallpaper ,Car Pictures
http://www.dieselstation.com/img/Che...escreen-09.jpg

I'm old school, or just old, but I just love Chevrolet technology.

I talked my 87 year old mom into buying a 2011 Cruze like yours, and she and I both love it.

I like this previous article on the 2013 Malibu aero tweaks, entitled
"Chevrolet Malibu Engineers Break Wind in Name of Fuel Economy"

Chevrolet Malibu Engineers Break Wind in Name of Fuel Economy

Old Tele man -

The belly pan has arrived!

CarloSW2

Does anybody else find the 0.35 of the old malibu and 0.29 of the new one pathetic?

Seems pretty average to me. I'm really, really glad they're doing underbody panels and active grille blocks. +1 for GM. Maybe in a decade or so I might consider buying a GM car :eek:

1996 B5 Passat 0.27
2007 Camry 0.27
2001 MB C class 0.27
2001 Camry 0.28
1995 Mitsubishi Diamante 0.28
2001 Chrysler Concorde 0.29
1996 Camry 0.29
1995 Mazda Millenia 0.29
2003 Accord 0.29

Just to name a few.

• commentary: GM, the "...day late and dollar-short..." car company.