Hybrid Car Review

Hybrid cars are playing a big role at the MLB All-Star game this year.

• The new Chevy Malibu Hybrid (release date is in October/November) is being shown at the All Star Fan Fest.
• Fox Sports employees will be driving hybrid cars from EV Rental Car, including the Ford Escape Hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid, Toyota Prius, and Honda Civic Hybrid.
• On Monday, Chevy E85 flex-fuel vehicles will transport players in the All-Star parade, and on Tuesday night, the MVP of the game will win a Tahoe Hybrid vehicle.

The focus, right now, is on the 2008 Malibu Hybrid. Like the Vue and Aura hybrid systems, the Malibu Hybrid is a mild hybrid. Which means the gas engine gets an 'assist' from the electric motor powered by the battery pack. The electric motor is incapable of powering the vehicle by itself as would be true in a full hybrid.

According to the Chevy press release, the EPA rates the 2008 Hybrid Malibu at 24 mpg city and 32 mpg highway – a two-mpg increase over the non-hybrid four-cylinder model – and will be Chevrolet value-priced, offering customers an affordable hybrid choice.

The Malibu Hybrid is capable of:

• Shutting off the engine when the vehicle is stopped, to minimize idling
• Restarting the engine promptly when the brake pedal is released
• Enabling early fuel shut-off during vehicle deceleration
• Capturing vehicle kinetic energy during deceleration through regenerative braking to charge the advanced nickel metal hydride battery
• Performing intelligent battery charging when it is most efficient

The GM Hybrid system provides additional power, when required, during launch from the electric motor/generator. At wide-open throttle, such as during a passing maneuver, the system enhances acceleration by using the motor/generator to bolster the gasoline engine and achieve maximum power.