New York Auto Show: Chevrolet Teases Next Malibu: Comments

[William Maley]

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Its no secret that the Chevrolet Malibu hasn't fared well in the midsize class. So it comes as no surprise that Chevrolet is readying a new Malibu that will debut next month at New York.

Teased before its official debut, Chevrolet says the new Malibu is a clean slate redesign with an all new design and a longer-wheelbase thanks to a new architecture. The new Malibu also drops 300 pounds thanks to an all-new high-strength steel structure.

The biggest change is the design. As we reported late last year, GM's vice president of global design Ed Welburn is planning to infuse some of the design of the Corvette Stingray into the Malibu. We can see some of that, along with elements of the Impala.

“Malibu’s gorgeous styling is the result of a masterful understanding of proportions. The roofline has been stretched rearward giving a more sleek profile, while the front wheels have moved forward and front and rear overhangs have been reduced. Along with the sculpted body side, these cues help Malibu appear more dynamic and sophisticated,” said Ed Welburn, General Motors’ vice president of Global Design.

Source: Chevrolet

Press Release is on Page 2

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Born Again: Next-Gen Chevrolet Malibu Announced

• Larger, lighter and more efficient Malibu to be unveiled at New York Auto Show
  

DETROIT – Designed to deliver more efficiency, connectivity and advanced safety features than ever, the next-generation 2016 Chevrolet Malibu will make its public debut at the New York International Auto Show this April.

Using a blank slate approach, Chevrolet designers benefited from an entirely new architecture, which for Malibu includes a wheelbase nearly four inches longer than the outgoing model. That, in turn, provides increased rear legroom and interior space.

Due to a higher-strength steel structure, the new Malibu is also expected to be 300 pounds lighter than the current model, which benefits the sedan’s fuel economy and handling.

“Malibu’s gorgeous styling is the result of a masterful understanding of proportions,” said Ed Welburn, General Motors’ vice president of Global Design. “The roofline has been stretched rearward giving a more sleek profile, while the front wheels have moved forward and front and rear overhangs have been reduced. Along with the sculpted body side, these cues help Malibu appear more dynamic and sophisticated.”

More details about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu will be shared each week leading up to the vehicle’s global debut. The 2016 Malibu is expected to go on sale by the end of 2015.

View full article

[G. David Felt]

Excited that they are doing this, but bummed that they have gone with a very clear coupe look. I want GM to get back to Leading the auto industry in trends and style but being more than just a single design language. I am excited to see more when they show it off.

[Drew Dowdell]

It doesn't look like it has grown at all.

[Z-06]

It doesn't look like it has grown at all.

 

Chevrolet says the 2016 Malibu rides on a new chassis, with a 4-inch longer wheelbase than today's car, improving interior space and legroom.

[Drew Dowdell]

 

It doesn't look like it has grown at all.

 

Chevrolet says the 2016 Malibu rides on a new chassis, with a 4-inch longer wheelbase than today's car, improving interior space and legroom.

 

 

So back to the old wheelbase?

[Z-06]

 

 

It doesn't look like it has grown at all.

 

Chevrolet says the 2016 Malibu rides on a new chassis, with a 4-inch longer wheelbase than today's car, improving interior space and legroom.

 

 

So back to the old wheelbase?

 

Yup. Next question - Where does it leave the Impala?

[CanadianBacon94]

 

 

 

It doesn't look like it has grown at all.

 

Chevrolet says the 2016 Malibu rides on a new chassis, with a 4-inch longer wheelbase than today's car, improving interior space and legroom.

 

 

So back to the old wheelbase?

 

Yup. Next question - Where does it leave the Impala?

 

Isn't the impala moving uplevel?

 

Also its still 111.7 

So if the bu jumps 4" it will be 111.8"?

 

that will be weird

Edited March 4, 2015 by CanadianBacon94

[Cory Wolfe]

Here's the front (as well as a few other goodies) via Chris Doane:

Chris Doane Automotive LLC.

[smk4565]

The Impala can't really go up market, the Lacosse is there, plus the XTS while it is around.  The Malibu could grow in size, but they can't push the price up, because the Camry price is not going up by any big margin.

 

This outline looks a bit like an Audi A7, and I don't see that selling in the family sedan segment.  Things like cost of ownership, reliability and gas mileage is what sells here.  The Camry hasn't had dramatic or sporty styling ever and it has crushed all the others in sales for the past 20 years.

 

If they make a dramatic shift, it will be interesting to see what happens.

[ZL-1]

Here's the front (as well as a few other goodies) via Chris Doane:

Chris Doane Automotive LLC.

Clockwise starting from left: Cruze; Volt; Spark; Camaro; Malibu. Me thinks...

[knightfan26917]

 

Here's the front (as well as a few other goodies) via Chris Doane:

Chris Doane Automotive LLC.

Clockwise starting from left: Cruze; Volt; Spark; Camaro; Malibu. Me thinks...

 

 

From what I read earlier today, yep ... that's the lineup.  Will have to wait & see more pics of these, but ... this glance ... not sure what I think of them.....

 

 

Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com

1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve

"Tell me what you see" __ Bob Carlisle __ 'Getting Stronger'

[ocnblu]

Is the new Spark a Chevy version of the Karl?

[ZL-1]

Is the new Spark a Chevy version of the Karl?

I'm guessing not a rebadge, but a lot shared between the two (including most of the body stampings - I think the rear quarters look a lot different from the Karl's). They won't be sold in the same markets AFAIK, so no problems there.

[Z-06]

Spark or MCE Sonic?

[G. David Felt]

So the 2nd car to the right must be the updated Camero? Kinda looks a bit Mustang like but also does not seem to have that fat wide look. more lean and sleek. A bit of a Shark side Profile look.

 

Here's the front (as well as a few other goodies) via Chris Doane:

Chris Doane Automotive LLC.

[ZL-1]

Spark or MCE Sonic?

Seemed too small to be the Sonic...On the other hand it's the farthest away from the camera, which would make it look smaller...

[Cory Wolfe]

According to Chris's page, its the Spark. 

[Z-06]

If Spark, then there will be three unveils at NY. I think it will be somewhere non-US release because the Spark was released in non-NA markets three years prior to the introduction here.

[regfootball]

the past spy photos of the 17 BU made me think it was moving back to looking a bit more like the 08-12.

 

Glad to see they are addressing the proportions and weight and space, but dammit, in that photo that rear end is quite rounded and really honestly reminds me of the Dodge Dart, and i don't want that.

[ocnblu]

The Chevy Spark, IIRC, has consistently sold better than Chevy expected here in the U.S., maybe for the (quick model changeover!) new one, the U.S. will be the debut point.  I wish the best for Chevy with all of these new models.  Cruze, Camaro and Volt have been well done as gen ones, however...

 

My mom test drove a green Spark 1LT with CVT before she got her Versa Note, and as much as I wanted to like the Spark, the very jerky CVT let it down BADLY.  I thought it was because of the cold weather at first and was trying not to panic before I panned it, but even after warmup it was jerky as heck.  The Nissan cruised smoothly up to speed with nary a hiccup, also with a cold engine.

[G. David Felt]

 

So the 2nd car to the right must be the updated Camero? Kinda looks a bit Mustang like but also does not seem to have that fat wide look. more lean and sleek. A bit of a Shark side Profile look.

 

Here's the front (as well as a few other goodies) via Chris Doane:

Chris Doane Automotive LLC.

 

Is it my eyes or is that camero very different from the current selling model?

[smk4565]

The Camaro looks different, which is probably a good thing the current Camaro is fat and overweight.  That Camaro looks like it wants to be a Mustang, that could be a good thing, but could hurt it too.

 

The Malibu in  the 5 in '15 teaser looks like a Camry from the A-pillar forward with a Chevy grille.  The C-pillar and greenhouse have a Chrysler 200 shape.  Ed Welburn said this would be a ground breaking car with breakthrough design, I don't see it.  It looks like a mismash of what is already on sale.  Although most midsize cars are a mismash of styling and aren't very original. 

[G. David Felt]

To me the Camero looks like a Shark from the side profile they are showing.

 

The Malibu is too hard due to the blackness to really tell if it is evolutionary or revolutionary. Have to wait and see. 

[knightfan26917]

To me the Camero looks like a Shark from the side profile they are showing.

 

That's the way it looks to me, too.  Not sure if I like that or not ... eager to see more pics.

 

 

Cort www.oldcarsstronghearts.com

1979 & 1989 Caprice Classics | pigValve, paceMaker, cowValve

"It's time to take a leap of faith" __ Steven Curtis Chapman __ 'Dive'

[dez97]

It doesn't look like it has grown at all.

Same here....I'm just not impressed with them at all this year.