Brenda Catches Malibu Testing

[Z-06]

Chevrolet Malibu Spied

Chevrolet's current Malibu was a huge success when the company needed it, winning a place on our 2008 10Best list and proving that the bow-tie brand could build more than monster SUVs and pickup trucks. Now that the compact Cruze, even smaller Aveo, and minute Spark are all on their way, the Malibu is up for a little refresh.

The current car is sleek enough, but the overall design isn't particularly elaborate. The 2012 model will change that with a bit more rake to the beltline, echoed by a faint crease in the body side. The nose and tail will certainly see the most change, but our spies weren't quick enough with their cameras to catch the front of the car. In the tail, we see additional ornamentation around the trunk, which is recessed deeper into the surround sheetmetal and plastic. The top of the decklid appears to taper into a sort of flat, ducktail shape, like the more-controversial BMW designs of the last decade.

While it won't look worlds different, the new Malibu will be comprehensively altered beneath the skin. It will join the Buick Regal and LaCrosse on GM's new Epsilon II platform, an evolution of the current car's Epsilon I bones. It will be slightly wider and a little taller, alleviating our primary concerns about the interior. Materials used inside the car supposedly will be vastly improved, although we hope the money to do so didn't come out of the design budget—the stylish cockpit is one of our favorite things about the current car. Expect to see the HiPer strut system recently unveiled on the 2010 Buick Lacrosse to find its way onto top Malibu trim levels.

No doubt this is just the beginning for spies stalking the Malibu, as the car's introduction probably won't happen until the 2011 Detroit auto show. Stay tuned for more photos—maybe we'll even get one of the nose next time.

[source: Car and Driver]

Link to Images

[Robert Hall]

Looks consistent with the patent drawings posted here last week.

[CSpec]

Short wheelbase.

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

Spied: First images of 2012 Chevrolet Malibu

03/26/2010, 6:13 PMBY DREW JOHNSON

A leaky patent office gave us our first look at the revised 2012 Chevrolet Malibu, but our spy photographers have just sent us the first live images of the updated sedan. Riding on a new Epsilon II platform, the 2012 Malibu is expected to make its official debut in late 2010 or early 2011.

Judging from the latest images and the previous drawings, the 2012 Malibu will retain many of the design cues of the current car, albeit with a fresher look. The front headlights appear to have a jeweled look, not unlike the treatment seen on the 2011 Buick Regal. Chevrolet’s signature cross-bar grille, however, remains front and center.

The rear of the Malibu also appears to be in line for an update, with the taillights receiving a Camaro-like treatment.

It’s been reported that the Malibu will shrink a bit in its next iteration, but the extent of that downsizing remains unknown. The current Malibu rides on a 112.3 inch wheelbase, but it remains to be seen if the Malibu will adopt the Buick LaCrosse’s 111.7 inch wheelbase or the Regal’s shorter 107.8 inch wheelbase, although the former seems more likely. Both the LaCrosse and Regal ride on the Epsilon II platform.

With a 2012 model year designation, expect the new Malibu to bow at the beginning of the next auto show season – in either Los Angeles or Detroit – with an on sale date sometime in 2011.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/chevrolet-malibu-2012.html

That car looks shorter. It now looks like it is equal to a Buick Regal in size. Apparently the current one is more LaCrosse in size although it too is shorter than La Crosse. That car has to be between 188-191 inches long. The Chevrolet Celebrity from the 1980's was a 188 inches long. The first W bodies were 188-192 inches long. They were wider.

I think the wheelbase makes it appear shorter, but I bet it is 188-190 inches long. That car is going to be sold in other countries too. That is why those taillamps have amber turn signal indicators.

[Robert Hall]

Dimensions, for what it's worth:

'11 Regal 107.8/190.2/73.1

'10 lacrosse 111.7/196.9/73.1

'10 malibu 112.3/191.8/70.3

I assume the next Malibu will be very similar to the Regal dimensionally.

[balthazar]

Looks a lot smoother than the patent drawing interpretations here looked, but I expected that. Decent evolution, not radical, which is good.

[ocnblu]

Looks good so far. Sportier. Ford's Fusion is the sportiest domestic midsizer since the Pontiac G6 died an untimely death.

Let me continue to beat the Malibu Coupe drum.

[hyperv6]

Like I said it is foolish to judge the car just on the line drawings.

Even with these photos we get a little better idea but we should still wait till it is near final trim. We know much less about GM cars now till late in the developmen so we need to watch or rush to judgment anymore. No more 5 year sneek peeks like the Camaro anymore.

I think most will be happy with the final result. I see a lot of Camaro in the rear. Nice to see Chevy getting back to a family theme.

[regfootball]

Looks consistent with the patent drawings posted here last week.

this

Short wheelbase.

this.

i would say its a reasonable evolution of the current one, at the same time it breaks no new ground. this is anonymous where the current one is iconic and unique.

it won't stand out and it does nothing daring. it won't be a lasting design on the market, it'll already be a bit dated when it hits.

for me, if it solves the malibu's functional issues (small trunk, cramped in spots inside, cheap interior, additional refinement), then we may be ok.

its almost like they are trying to breed a cross between the current malibu, the current jetta, and the current accord.

problem is the market moves fast. if the 012 malibu has a four year run even, that means this design will be through 2015 and i really think this will be stale long before that.

give them credit for committing to keeping current, i guess. this looks better than the patent drawings for sure.

that Brendy Priddy sure must be like a hawk to get these shots. Of course, they might have been staged........for the publicity....

if chevy thinks a 169hp four will be adequate for the engine for this in 2012, then i think they are mistaken.

I'd really like to see something a little more ground breaking in this segment pretty soon. Its pretty bad when Hyundai is taking the most risks in the segment.

Edited March 27, 2010 by regfootball

[Satty]

Wait, the G6 was sporty?

[regfootball]

Dimensions, for what it's worth:

'11 Regal 107.8/190.2/73.1

'10 lacrosse 111.7/196.9/73.1

'10 malibu 112.3/191.8/70.3

I assume the next Malibu will be very similar to the Regal dimensionally.

ah, the numbers prove that the current bu indeed is too narrow, like it looks.

a good size for a car in this class is 6 x 16 feet. i.e. 72x192. 110 inches is a good wheelbase. 58 inch height is good.

Edited March 27, 2010 by regfootball

[Drew Dowdell]

stop looking at peak HP numbers anymore, they are going to become irrelevant here real soon.

[regfootball]

Not sure how you can suggest that when the hyundai has the most hp AND the best mpg.

And. Sleeker styling. (better warranty and cheaper price too)

Edited March 27, 2010 by regfootball

[Z-06]

Looks a lot smoother than the patent drawing interpretations here looked, but I expected that. Decent evolution, not radical, which is good.

+1

Not sure how you can suggest that when the hyundai has the most hp AND the best mpg.

And. Sleeker styling. (better warranty and cheaper price too)

Infiniti G35/7 always boasts the most hp in its class but seldom has straight line performance which is top in the litter.

[hyperv6]

Wait, the G6 was sporty?

I think that means it had a spoiler?

HP will ve less a factor as we gain more gears and with the new Turbo DI VVT engines making torque in such a flat curve the number are a bit misleading to the real performance.

[Lamar]

Infiniti G35/7 always boasts the most hp in its class but seldom has straight line performance which is top in the litter.

It's also the second-heaviest car in its class too, behind the C350 by 10 lbs.

[Drew Dowdell]

Not sure how you can suggest that when the hyundai has the most hp AND the best mpg.

And. Sleeker styling. (better warranty and cheaper price too)

Because peak horsepower numbers only tell the story at one point in time.

For example, the 2.4 in the Lacrosse has it's peak horsepower right at redline, but the torque curve is almost flat. This is what direct injection gets you, very even low end torque.

The Hyundai gets its best MPG from the cars very light weight and the same torque advantages that direct injection gets.....the number that makes the Hyundai more compelling is the 186ft/lbs at 4200rpm such a light package. 200hp at 6300rpm isn't all that impressive.

[Paolino]

if chevy thinks a 169hp four will be adequate for the engine for this in 2012, then i think they are mistaken.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess they won't be using the current 2.4L--and will probably use the DI version instead, which by then hopefully will see a slight boost in power (which by the way currently puts out more power than the 2.5L engines in the Altima, Fusion, Camry and Accord LX.)

[Z-06]

It's also the second-heaviest car in its class too, behind the C350 by 10 lbs.

The numbers are not in favor now, than they were with the first G35, yet the lower pw/wt ratioed TL and 3er consistently handed G its rear.

[Croc]

Wait, the G6 was sporty?

I think that means it had a spoiler?

FTW

[Satty]

Not sure how you can suggest that when the hyundai has the most hp AND the best mpg.

The HP number is the only thing that makes an engine, right? So thats why you love Hondas so much.

[regfootball]

I think that means it had a spoiler?

HP will ve less a factor as we gain more gears and with the new Turbo DI VVT engines making torque in such a flat curve the number are a bit misleading to the real performance.

chevy family sedans sold in volume to value conscious customers won't have the expensive turbos.

GM is so [email protected]#king cheap they can't even put aluminum wheels on an LT Malibu right now. Or a base LaCrosse. Or rubbermaid plastic on the door panels inside.

Something that Ed should fix right away.

Edited March 27, 2010 by regfootball

[regfootball]

Because peak horsepower numbers only tell the story at one point in time.

For example, the 2.4 in the Lacrosse has it's peak horsepower right at redline, but the torque curve is almost flat. This is what direct injection gets you, very even low end torque.

The Hyundai gets its best MPG from the cars very light weight and the same torque advantages that direct injection gets.....the number that makes the Hyundai more compelling is the 186ft/lbs at 4200rpm such a light package. 200hp at 6300rpm isn't all that impressive.

98% of the buyers won't take the time to look at or understand the chart. they will compare the numbers in the brochures and see the deficit of hp and torque in real numbers.

then they will see the cheaper price, longer warranty, and sleeker styling, more spacious and nicer interior of the hyundai. the chevy is nice, but.......

the hyundai may not be a smooth engine, because i think its a long stroke design, but in that case GM needs to get butts in the seats of each car, something they usually couldn't do vs. camry and accord.

Edited March 28, 2010 by regfootball

[regfootball]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess they won't be using the current 2.4L--and will probably use the DI version instead, which by then hopefully will see a slight boost in power (which by the way currently puts out more power than the 2.5L engines in the Altima, Fusion, Camry and Accord LX.)

and even so the malibu will be 2-300 pounds heavier. another strike. just sayin, the malibu has its work cut out for it. this new wrapper ain't gonna help its cause much.

the toyota bangers are moving over to the hyundai showroom.....

Edited March 28, 2010 by regfootball

[Lamar]

and even so the malibu will be 2-300 pounds heavier. another strike. just sayin, the malibu has its work cut out for it. this new wrapper ain't gonna help its cause much.

the toyota bangers are moving over to the hyundai showroom.....

Hard to argue that.

Assuming that the Malibu will be more or less the same size as the Regal, the Sonata will undercut it by 400 lbs. If they can shave weight somewhere...

Malibu's gonna have to win on other points such as refinement and driving dynamics (as far as can be had in a family sedan), as well as design and available equipment.

Edited March 28, 2010 by Lamar