Chris

"James C. Reeves" <jcnospam@nospam.com> wrote in message
news:m6-dnUkyM9FGfs3d4p2dnA@comcast.com...
>
> "Timothy J. Lee" <remove22@sonic.net> wrote in message
> news:c2ov0p$s23$1@bolt.sonic.net...
> | Seems that the Chevrolet Malibu 3.5L V6 does quite well in fuel economy.
> | Not only is it competitive with most 4-cylinder midsize cars in the EPA
> | ratings, but it is the second best family sedan in Consumer Reports
> | magazine's listing (
>
http://www.consumerreports.org/main/...=1078981860626 )
> .
> |
> | In the latter listing, the 3.5L V6 version does better than the 2.2L
> | 4-cylinder version of the Chevrolet Malibu. (The only more fuel
> | economical family sedan in that list is the Toyota Prius.)
> |
> | What makes a seemingly ordinary engine so fuel efficient compared to
> | its competition? One never reads about any fancy new features like
> | cylinder deactivation, hybrid stuff, or anything else with respect to
> | the Chevrolet Malibu 3.5L V6. And it does its fuel economy with only
> | a 4-speed automatic (rather than a manual, CVT, or 5-speed automatic).
>
> That is a interesting article. I wonder why GM even offers a 4-cylinder
model
> if the V6 offers better economy over the 4 (and I would imagine better
power,
> response and overall drivability as well).
>
>
Not sure about "real world" economy, but the GM Canada site lists the
following:

Malibu 2.2l 4 cyl A/T
Malibu LS 3.5l 6 cyl A/T
City 9.9 L/100 km (~23 mpUSg) 10.4
L/100 km (~22 mpUSg)
Highway 6.6 L/100 km (~34 mpUSg) 6.8 L/100
km (~33 mpUSg)

US GM site has very similar numbers. Really no significant difference at
all from 4 to 6

(but neither site lists "Miles/Intake Manifold Gasket" by engine
type......lol)