Paolino

8:30PM, EDT.

Uffa, don't joke. I would just hope that with the updated powertrain they could afford just a tiny modification to the exterior to freshen it slightly and update the interior appearance and maybe throw a feature or two in like offer navigation, the black tie from the Malibu that has USB support, etc. I'd also like to see Auto Climate Control make its first appearance on this generation.

My guess is that it'll get the LF3 engine. 3.0 bi-turbo V6. If there is no new tranny, then it'll be stuck with 300 lb-ft and perhaps between 300 and 360 bhp. If there is a stronger variant of the 6T transmission look for about 360hp/360lb-ft even. Not bad... BMW 535 class in in power. Although the DI V6es need a bit of work in the NVH department. BTW Dwight, just have to say I love reading your posts... you have some awesome ideas and I find you very knowledgeable. I appreciate that you try to think outside the box and come up with products we want. Unfortunately, I've heard about the NVH issues of the DI V6's. It's a shame... GM knows how to build a damn good engine, if they could just fine tune a couple of things they'd shut the critics up.

If they build it, I will come.. I think you misspelled a word there

Well, after seeing the blue one I like it a little less... I'm hoping it's a photo prob and not the car. It looks a little pudgier and less athletic than the red one. Time will tell.

Well, I understand what you're saying and I partly agree with it, but you can't say that it sounds a little off when someone says, "Yeah, I just bought a RWD $26,000 Chevy Impala with a 330hp V6 and 8-speed tranny," and the next guy says, "Really? What's up with GM?! I just spent over $37,000 for RWD Cadillac CTS with a torqueless 270hp 3.0L V6 and 6-speed auto that gets poor fuel economy... WTF?!" Or how about the guy who spent almost $35,000 on his LaCrosse CXS and is ticked that the Impala has real wood as an option, but his highest trim and soon-to-be most-expensive sedan for Buick, doesn't have that as an option? Maybe it's nitpicky, but again, it feels off.

Different markets. Buick is attracting Lexus buyers and this Impala is attracting old school types who value power, interior space and RWD. For this reason, I'd cut a bunch of the luxury features. I think some of the extras Dwight is piling on are just exuberance. Adding the 50 hp to the non-AWD LaCrosse is going to overwork the Traction Control light. Yes, but you're talking about a large and heavy "new luxury premium car" getting 182hp standard and the Impala, a Chevy, getting 330hp standard. If the Impala is this nice, why wouldn't it go after Lexus buyers as well? Wouldn't that take Buick buyers away? I'm sure there are Lexus buyers that want power and premium features. It just seems backwards to me. In this example (and don't get me wrong, I'd love to see a nice RWD Impala back), I feel there would be 3 engine choices, and either a smaller V6 or less powerful 3.6 would be standard... with a 6-speed auto. Again... he brings up an 8-speed auto in a base Impala, cheaper than the most-expensive Malibu, and having more gears than any Cadillac... it just seems like it would never happen.

The problem is, your base Impala offers 148hp MORE standard power than the base LaCrosse, 50hp more than the most powerful engine offered on the LaCrosse, 2 more gears in the tranny, more speakers than the base LaCrosse, and then your premium package offers luxury features not even available on the LaCrosse, is more fuel efficient and is $1,000 cheaper than the LaCrosse.

Wasn't the Cavalier a POS? And not everyone wants to show off. Some are happy with what they own, for themselves. And some buy for practicality.

I feel the rest of the car will remind them it's not the old Malibu, and uh, who cares if my neighbors think I bought a 5-year old car? It's not for them. What matters is the overall presentation, in which this car to me looks fresh, handsome, athletic, and from what I can see on the inside, a vast improvement.

That's impressive because I've read reviews stating the new 2.4L DI in the Sonata is a bit coarse. I haven't experienced one myself.

I was hoping it'd be the updated ECOTECs... make a slightly bigger splash than saying, "The 2013 Malibu will be powered by the 182hp DI 2.4L". I rather see something like, "The 2013 Malibu is said to be powered by GM's new 2.5L DI Ecotec putting out 200hp, and updated turbocharged 2.0L found in the Regal and Verano, putting out 240hp/270lb-ft," or something like that.

I like it.

I almost never use the lock so I really don't see the problem. I get in, the car locks the door when I drive, unlocks when I shift into park. I rarely have to hit the lock button to let someone in/out, and if I did, again, I don't see a problem if it's on the door or the center console. If you can reach for the radio just fine or an HVAC control, then why the big deal hitting it on the console?

I'm sorry, but bluetooth should be standard on all trims of every Cadillac. Hello, LUXURY brand.

Yes and No. I think it's a great idea, the turbo will add power down low and give the car a little boost so it doesn't feel so heavy, however, the numbers need to aim a little higher--the Fusion Hybrid is rated at 40 city, 36 hwy... so although yours beats it on highway by a few, it gets SLAMMED in the city dept. What needs to be kept in mind is that the Malibu debuts in 2013... by then we'll either have a new Fusion or be close to a new one (and other new hybrids from other manufacturers like the Camry and Altima), and their numbers will have probably increased as well.

I didn't even know that til now. Why did the drop the 3.6?! EDIT: The website says the 3.6 is optional on all trims.

Wow, that does look pretty good. I think I could enjoy the "ridged" dual-cockpit design if they used accent lighting at night... seems like they did.

Link?

Actually, the '04-'08 W-bodies are slightly taller than the '97-'03 ones. I think GM just hiked the seats up, to give short people a more SUV-like view of the road... and didn't bother to give the seats any ability to be lowered. Plus, at least in the GP, the front seats are like 9+ inches deep, front-back. No seat needs to waste this much space. I didn't have such a good time in a W-body Impala, either. Haven't been in a LaCrosse. Come to think of it, I vaguely remember reading the description on the last Regal/Century "theatre seating" or something like that, where the rear seats would be higher or something.

That's true... I couldn't drive around with my briefcase on the passenger seat for that reason in newer cars.

Well, I was joking about the 2.4L... seriously, the Corvette should only have two engine options: Damn powerful and crazy powerful. It's a car that really shouldn't be sacrificed in power/handling. Doing so may lower the price but also lowers the cachet of having a Corvette. Owners of Vettes are usually very proud, if not cocky and obnoxious. Lowering the price a bit is going to help lower the age, but it's difficult to do without competing with the Camaro and hopefully GM will realize like with their other newer cars, you can deliver on an interior.

Throw the 2.4L in there with a 4-speed auto. It'll cost less and help slightly with CAFE

That's what I figured. I also figured they'd leave a little in so the car is Camry-quiet, but all in all, won't save a good deal of weight.

This. We already see GM knows how to get NA products correct in their latest installments. I think this next Malibu will be a leap in quality just as each Malibu took a step over its predecessor since 1997's release. I anticipate the soft-touch materials and features we've been craving... after all, just from the interior spy photos we've seen push-button start, dual zone climate control, navigation, etc. Now that I saw that little animation, I have less qualms about the overhangs--I think that little thing looks sporty and muscular. I know it's too early to really give a sure opinion, but I have higher hopes than I did. My major concern still lies in the weight. That affects a lot.