2013 Chevrolet GM Industry News

GM engineers use advanced tech to keep 2013 Chevrolet Malibu interior quiet

August 13, 2011May 21, 2012 Chris Chin 2013, Chevrolet Malibu, Gadgets, Malibu, Sedans

General Motors is going above and beyond to make sure that the next Chevrolet Malibu will be the best car in its class. First, we revealed that GM researchers were hard at work to try and make the most comfortable, most supportive and versatile seats in any car. Now, GM is showing off what they’re doing with the latest Malibu.

Not only is GM making sure the noise levels inside the car are kept to a minimum, but they’re also working to improve the quality of the sound that permeates throughout the cabin.

“To tune the sound properties to appeal to the widest possible audience, we need to make sure everyone hears the same thing,” said Kara Gordon, Malibu’s lead acoustic engineer.

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The process involves GM reproducing sounds that often are heard when inside a car while driving. They use Aachen HEAD mannequin-like recording devices. The digital recording devices sit like ears sit on a human head and they record the sound levels that are observable to the occupants.

To compare the kind of equipment GM is using, normal ear buds from an MP3 player reproduce sounds from a low 20 Hz to as high as 20,000 Hz. The equipment being used to reproduce the sounds for the Malibu go as low as 7 Hz and as high as 41,000 Hz, well out of the range of the human ear.

“The typical acoustic memory of the human ear to discern subtle yet important differences is about 10 seconds – or about the time it takes to go from one vehicle to another. The Aachen HEAD, our Jury Room and high-tech headphones make it possible for us to give our Malibu customers the quietest, most pleasing interior sound quality possible,” said Gordon.

Refresher: The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu will go on sale in the United States in 2012 in LS, LT and LTZ trim-levels. The standard engine offering in the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu is a 2.5L Ecotec direct-injected 4-cylinder making more than 190-hp with a maximum torque of 180 lb-ft. The Chevrolet Malibu Eco is powered by GM’s eAssist system and is mated to a 180-hp 2.4L Ecotec direct-injection 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. The Chevrolet Malibu Eco estimated to get 38 mpg on the highway.