What do you know, the 2012 Chevrolet Malibu was out and about in Michigan recently. Sure, it has some ugly camouflage that disguises the front and rear end, but most of the sheetmetal is there. Doesn't look like it's going to be a very dramatic redesign, more like a nip and tuck on the current model. Not really a bad thing though as the Malibu is already a decent looker.
More interesting news may develop when the drivetrain details come to light. Now that Buick and Hyundai have taken the lead in foregoing V6s, it will be interesting to see if GM goes the same route for its most mainstream sedan. Figure there will be a hybrid version too.
questionlp says:
12:00 PM, 04/ 5/10
Heh... the Malibu looks like a toy car in that picture. I know, the picture is composed in a manner that makes it look like a faux miniature composition :)
throwback says:
12:39 PM, 04/ 5/10
This looks very much like the current car. I guess the "new" are revamped facias, and some new radio buttons.
stovt001 says:
12:58 PM, 04/ 5/10
Well as Ed said, there wasn't much wrong with the current exterior design, so leaving well enough mostly alone was probably a good call.
1487 says:
01:09 PM, 04/ 5/10
this is going to be a total redesign. I guess Ed isnt really up on the latest industry info. New platform with a 4" shorter wheelbase just like the Regal. You can see the larger overhangs in the picture above. Basically its going to be a Chevy version of the Regal, not a mild refresh.
throwback says:
01:31 PM, 04/ 5/10
Sounds like less interior room also if they put it on the Regal platform. I guess they have to make room for the new Impala.
cr_driver says:
06:51 PM, 04/ 5/10
1487 says:
01:09 PM, 04/ 5/10
"this is going to be a total redesign. I guess Ed isnt really up on the latest industry info"
Hey 1487, Erin Riches just gave up his credentials!!! In the M56 vs E550 Comparo...
U can join now! And help this down the hill site.
LOL
Just a little harmless fun, u know..
wjtinatl says:
06:59 PM, 04/ 5/10
FWIW, I'd rather have the F-150 in the background...
redwoodaggie says:
07:07 PM, 04/ 5/10
Wow, that looks fake. Also, it looks worse than the current model as far as I can see.
1487 says:
07:31 PM, 04/ 5/10
throwback:
I dont think the Regal is any smaller inside because its wider. The Malibu is actually one of the smaller cars in the class in terms of interior volume. I sat in the regal at the NY auto show and in spite of the shorter wheelbase its not really smaller in the back than the Aura/Malibu.
stovt001 says:
08:34 PM, 04/ 5/10
The profile looks kinda Audi-ish. That's a good thing.
wrinklebump says:
10:40 PM, 04/ 5/10
It looks like Chevy's addressing the taillights and trunk space, though it's not quite clear how so yet. The taillights were the biggest weakness int the original car's design, so I'm anxious to see how they look on preproduction models. It's already the best-looking midsizer around, so hopefully GM don't fix what's not broke.
1487 says:
05:38 AM, 04/ 6/10
the tailights are supposed to be Camaro like as the leaked patent drawings verified.
Interior space is about the same as the current car if we use the Regal as a guide. I'm assuming trunk will be larger on Malibu however.
rick8365 says:
06:19 AM, 04/ 6/10
wjtinatl says:
06:59 PM, 04/ 5/10
FWIW, I'd rather have the F-150 in the background...
Had the same exact thought! :-)
roar02ram says:
08:54 AM, 04/ 6/10
Looks good, but also looks work-a-day. That's not good if this segment's going to a more luxurious look, post-Sonata.
stovt001 says:
12:05 PM, 04/ 6/10
@roar02ram: while I generally like the styling of the Sonata, in many cases designers are going overboard with this character line craze. See the Honda Accord and even worse, the new Mazda5. From what I can tell from this rather camo'd example above, the new Malibu has simple, straightforward lines with a few nice and tasteful details, like the taillights. It is kinda like the late 90s/early 2000s 3 Series (sorry, I still haven't learned the E designations yet).
1487 says:
01:16 PM, 04/ 6/10
Not everyone is sold on the looks of the Sonata. We can all agree its not dull, but I am not convinced its game changing as some suggest. The 6 and Malibu and Fusion are all stylish midsize cars.