Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Chevrolet
Cover Blown: Say hello to the 2008 Chevy Malibu
UPDATE: Gallery expanded. 24 photos now available.
Click image for photo gallery
The folks over at Inside Line appear to have an itchy trigger finger, and as such, the embargo on the 2008 Chevy Malibu is toast. (Note: It appears that Motor Trend was actually first, as the Malibu is in the Feb issue hitting newsstands now.) Given the spate of vaporized embargoes we've seen over the last week or so, this is about as surprising as the sun rising in the morning. That said, we're more than happy to bring you all the skinny on GM's new midsize sedan now that the cat's out of the bag.
Like the Saturn Aura, the all-new Malibu rides on the 112-inch wheelbase Epsilon platform. Given that we've driven the Aura and liked it very much, this bodes well for the new Chevy. We'd been wondering how GM would differentiate the two cars, and now we can tell you more about that. While the Saturn currently comes in two trim levels with V6 power only (3.5 or 3.6), the Malibu will be offered with three trim levels -- LS, LT, and LTZ -- with power coming from either a 164-horse 2.4L Ecotec or the very capable 252 HP 3.6L V6 with VVT.
If you think that the top-level Malibu LTZ is a V6-only car, you're wrong. The 2.4L four cylinder is available for all three trim levels, and when selected for the LTZ, it's mated to GM's Hydra-Matic 6T40 6-speed automatic with wheel-mounted shift paddles. (On LS and LT models, the four-banger is hooked up to a four-speed auto.) As with the Aura, the 3.6L is connected to the Hydra-Matic 6T70 6-speed with paddle shifters.
Follow the jump for more analysis, and be sure to check out more shots of Chevy's new 'Bu in our photo gallery.
[Source: GM]
This also marks the first time we're able to see the rest of the car, and we're happy with what GM has put together. The overall design is tasteful and non-controversial, traits that one can easily ascribe to the Malibu's chief import competitors, the Camry and Accord. The car's face, which we've already discussed at length, incorporates the new corporate grille, as well headlights that bear familial ties to the Chevy Cobalt. The car's flanks are uninterrupted by rub strips, but receive a subtle metallic accent that runs the length of the doors just above the rocker panel. Similar trim surrounds the Malibu's side glass. A thick C-pillar flows into the car's short rear deck. Walking around to the back reveals the new-look taillamps, which look very similar to the ones on the current Infiniti M, right down to the circular reverse lights. The thing is, we rather like the look of those lights, which aren't shared with any other GM car. The Malibu's identity is very much its own.
Now, while the car's outward appearance is a bit staid when compared to the more visually extroverted Saturn Aura, Chevy has gone to great lengths to ensure that the same can't be said of the Malibu's interior. The twin-pod layout we were introduced to last month can be ordered in a dizzying array of color and trim combinations, including several very attractive-looking two-tone packages.
We're looking forward to seeing the car in a little over a week and eventually getting behind the wheel when it's released. For now, however, based on the photos and info we've seen, it appears that the General is doing all the right things, product-wise, to get the ship turned around. None of us liked the old Malibu very much. This car, on the other hand, has our attention.
Click image for photo gallery
The folks over at Inside Line appear to have an itchy trigger finger, and as such, the embargo on the 2008 Chevy Malibu is toast. (Note: It appears that Motor Trend was actually first, as the Malibu is in the Feb issue hitting newsstands now.) Given the spate of vaporized embargoes we've seen over the last week or so, this is about as surprising as the sun rising in the morning. That said, we're more than happy to bring you all the skinny on GM's new midsize sedan now that the cat's out of the bag.
Like the Saturn Aura, the all-new Malibu rides on the 112-inch wheelbase Epsilon platform. Given that we've driven the Aura and liked it very much, this bodes well for the new Chevy. We'd been wondering how GM would differentiate the two cars, and now we can tell you more about that. While the Saturn currently comes in two trim levels with V6 power only (3.5 or 3.6), the Malibu will be offered with three trim levels -- LS, LT, and LTZ -- with power coming from either a 164-horse 2.4L Ecotec or the very capable 252 HP 3.6L V6 with VVT.
If you think that the top-level Malibu LTZ is a V6-only car, you're wrong. The 2.4L four cylinder is available for all three trim levels, and when selected for the LTZ, it's mated to GM's Hydra-Matic 6T40 6-speed automatic with wheel-mounted shift paddles. (On LS and LT models, the four-banger is hooked up to a four-speed auto.) As with the Aura, the 3.6L is connected to the Hydra-Matic 6T70 6-speed with paddle shifters.
Follow the jump for more analysis, and be sure to check out more shots of Chevy's new 'Bu in our photo gallery.
[Source: GM]
This also marks the first time we're able to see the rest of the car, and we're happy with what GM has put together. The overall design is tasteful and non-controversial, traits that one can easily ascribe to the Malibu's chief import competitors, the Camry and Accord. The car's face, which we've already discussed at length, incorporates the new corporate grille, as well headlights that bear familial ties to the Chevy Cobalt. The car's flanks are uninterrupted by rub strips, but receive a subtle metallic accent that runs the length of the doors just above the rocker panel. Similar trim surrounds the Malibu's side glass. A thick C-pillar flows into the car's short rear deck. Walking around to the back reveals the new-look taillamps, which look very similar to the ones on the current Infiniti M, right down to the circular reverse lights. The thing is, we rather like the look of those lights, which aren't shared with any other GM car. The Malibu's identity is very much its own.
Now, while the car's outward appearance is a bit staid when compared to the more visually extroverted Saturn Aura, Chevy has gone to great lengths to ensure that the same can't be said of the Malibu's interior. The twin-pod layout we were introduced to last month can be ordered in a dizzying array of color and trim combinations, including several very attractive-looking two-tone packages.
We're looking forward to seeing the car in a little over a week and eventually getting behind the wheel when it's released. For now, however, based on the photos and info we've seen, it appears that the General is doing all the right things, product-wise, to get the ship turned around. None of us liked the old Malibu very much. This car, on the other hand, has our attention.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
PiCASSO 11:08PM (12/28/2006)
Great interior, GM... and a decent exterior. I hope that these upcoming new models will get GM out of the hole and back to building great cars.
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SherbornSean 11:09PM (12/28/2006)
Best looking Chevy sedan in a VERY long time. Welcome back -- Detroit is shaping up as a real winner this year!
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Howard Kerr 11:19PM (12/28/2006)
Wow, I might almost want to buy this car...if they made it available with a 4 cylinder manual transmission combo. And not the crappy, "we REALLY only wanted to build an auto version" manual transmission that GM cars have had FOREVER. And if the front end styling was modified a bit. What's with the smaller opening in the hood? This might look a little better if both grille openings were closer in size/heightwise.
As nice as the Saturn Aura looks, the Malibu actually offers a better-looking alternative. Too bad the Maxx couldn't be retained on this platform.
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Jason_801 11:21PM (12/28/2006)
That may be the best interior that has ever worn a bow tie on the wheel (just from memory, though).
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laserwizard 11:22PM (12/28/2006)
Dreadfully bland - looks like Lutz stole the rear section of an Acura and slapped the typical boring Chevrolet front end on it and called it a Malibu.
Harley Earl is rolling in his grave with Chevrolet imitating a Jap car.
Yawn! An awful looking car that is no more Chevrolet than a Pinto.
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Jon 11:23PM (12/28/2006)
A manual v6 would have been the nail in the coffin.
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Goodday 11:33PM (12/28/2006)
With GM's "tire-chain-clearance" the wheels-n-tires look too small.
Got a Korean-cheapo look to it.
Hope the materials and feel are above the typical Cheverolet standard of 'awful'.
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PiCASSO 11:37PM (12/28/2006)
Indeed... both the Aura and the Malibu would be a winner in my book if they offered a manual transmission with either the 4-cylinder or the 6. Then they would really be competiting with the Accords and Altimas. For me, I like to row through my gears, so no stick... no sale. Otherwise a great execution by GM (with preliminary pictures and statistics).
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MikeW 11:42PM (12/28/2006)
Nice 2.4 & 6 speed auto.
make those 'hybrids' with the 2.4 & 4 speed auto look really stupid.
Red rear turn signals, yuck. and they even have a lateral repeater. It is like stopping a marathon at the 26 mile mark.
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Tool 11:42PM (12/28/2006)
Looks like a real winner.
Not necessarily the most distinctive vehicle ever produced by GM, but a competent, handsome, well-equipped player to go up against Camry and Accord.
Keep up the good work Maximum Bob.
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DKB_SATX 12:15AM (12/29/2006)
No manual, no wagon or hatch, not for me. I wanted to like the Maxx conceptually, but couldn't get past the ugly or the 4-speed slushbox. A hatch or wagon on this new theme, with a 6-speed slushbox might be enough to let me think about giving up rowing my own, but there are more-attractive sedans with manual transmissions so it's less than compelling.
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MJL 12:22AM (12/29/2006)
Excellent, excellent, excellent! Okay, it looks eerily similar to a G35, but considering the Infiniti is itself a tribute to the 3-series (E46-style tail lights and all,) that's not such a terrible thing. The interior is great, and they finally nailed down one detail that's been bothering me forever in GM cars: the gear shifter. That weird, Gumby-shaped one on the last generation, with its shifter release under the knob and manual-shift buttons on the side where the release should have been, was ugly. This new one, with the leather shift boot, is great.
Proof that GM can (and maybe even will) achieve something when it sets its mind to it. Congrats, America.
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Will 12:28AM (12/29/2006)
I mean I like the car but I don't think the grill matches the rest of the design. It just looks out of place. And i'm getting sick of those generic Audi/BMW/Honda tail-lights they have on the back.
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Andy 12:42AM (12/29/2006)
Wow. The new Malibu is modestly handsome on the outside and sharp on the inside. This looks to be on the same field as the Saturn Aura, and that's not a bad thing. The 3.6 L V-6 sounds good, and so do the rest of the car's specs.
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Stupid posts suck donkey dick 12:44AM (12/29/2006)
I can see that "metal" trim piece above the instrument cluster creating a problem with relefction in the windshield. That was one of the reasons the Ford Edge was delayed.
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mike 12:54AM (12/29/2006)
Here's my question, with new Malibu out where does that leave Aura?
GM makes too make cars that compete with each other, Malibu, Aura, Impala, Lucern and any Cross Over is really in competition with each other.
With new Malibu the Aura will not seem all that new, pluse the new 500 and Accord are coming out. So GM once again will have different cars out there that are fighting for the same pie, .......plus GM needs to spend money for each brand in advertising.
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the fly 1:11AM (12/29/2006)
what is it with american co and chrome.Note to all american car companines please put the chrome down and choose nicer wheel combos . is just me or that front end looks like a rush job. and the rear lower exhaust section is a direct rip off of the alpha 8c competizone. interior wise thats a winning combination for gm. oh well gm looks like i'll be driving imports for another 5 years or so to you guys get a clue
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Michael Karesh 1:22AM (12/29/2006)
Part of me finds the current Maxx oddly appealing. But a five-door version of this car with the DOHC V6 and a slick-shifting six-speed would have me seriously thinking about a GM car.
I guess there are two of us. Not enough to justify developing such a car?
As for the sedan, they've done nearly everything right with the styling, given the intended market. Enough like the Accord to appeal to current import owners, but with a bolder, more distinctive face. A large improvement over the current sedan.
The wild card is the 2008 Accord.
On Malibu vs. Aura, the danger is that they'll soften up the Chevy's suspension a bunch to differentiate the two. This would not be good. And they might not do it, but then the two cars will feel very similar. In terms of looks, the Aura has a lot more exterior "jewelry," but a less upscale C-pillar.
My reviews of the current Malibu Maxx and the Aura:
http://www.epinions.com/content_209655729796
http://www.epinions.com/content_253519564420
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paul 1:23AM (12/29/2006)
A COBALT ON STEROIDS! GOOD LUCK GOING UP AGAINST CAMRY AND ACCORD WITH THIS DISASTER!!!!!!!!
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B-noit 1:31AM (12/29/2006)
well, I must say I'm very impressed with the interiors. The styling is a little bland, but then again, which car in the malibu's class isn't a little bland? Well done, GM.
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