Here's some perspective of the global variety: The redesigned 2013 Chevrolet Malibu will debut at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show, which butts up right against the New York Auto Show. Oh, and if you're not in China, you can watch the unveil live on Chevrolet's Facebook page via the web, your iPhone or your iPad on April 18 at 8:30 a.m. EST (5:30 a.m. PDT). Oops, sorry Android users. You can then go see the car at the New York show starting on April 23.
GM will sell the 2013 Malibu in almost 100 markets worldwide, and many customers will be in China, where the automaker plans to assemble it locally (in addition to U.S. production, of course).
In order to give it more world appeal, GM designers have worked to give the sedan a sportier, more chiseled body, explains lead designer Dan Gifford in the teaser video after the jump. But if by more appeal, GM simply means more attractive, well, we'll all benefit.
No product details have slipped out yet, though GM has again reiterated that this Malibu will take a page from the Hyundai playbook and use an all-four-cylinder engine lineup and six-speed automatic transmissions.
Spy Photos: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu
stovt001 says:
09:02 AM, 03/31/11
I was really skeptical about how "Camaro inspired" taillights would work on the Malibu, but that picture looks like the first attractive taillight GM has designed in years. I'm pleasantly surprised by what I see here.
throwback says:
09:04 AM, 03/31/11
I agree about the rear lights. They do appear well integrated with the shoulder line.
blueprint1 says:
09:16 AM, 03/31/11
Today's Malibu is attractive. All it lacks to get more auto media / car guy attention is a manual transmission. Slushbox only? This gen will fade away from car mags also and end up in rental fleets. Making E-Assist standard would help it make headlines.
greenpony says:
09:50 AM, 03/31/11
Camaro inspired? What about Corvette inspired? Last I checked, the Corvette has been using quad taillights for decades.
icecubefosho says:
10:06 AM, 03/31/11
They mean the square/overall shape of the taillights look very similar to a Camaro rather than a Corvette's circular lights.
ed124c says:
10:07 AM, 03/31/11
The current Malibu is almost the only midsized car that doesn't have a manual transmission on at least one trim level. (I think the Altima is another-- without checking the Edmunds New Car section.)
I like the looks of the current Malibu, but it just isn't competitive enough. The new styling will help, but the drivetrains need to be upgraded. The base 4 cylinder should at least be the 2.4 DI with at least the 182 HP of the Equinox. But remember, Chevy, the Sonata puts out 198 HP from the same displacement. Where is the engineering to make cars that lead instead of following?
I really would like to buy a GM vehicle, but their reluctance to provide a manual transmission on lower priced cars makes it very difficult for me, especially since I haven't bought an automatic since 1978.
If the upcoming Malibu does not have a manual available, then it would need to have looks, performance, gas mileage, etc. that are beyond the competition. That would be the only way I would be interested. I am not interested in GM makiing bucks on also-ran cars.
gtrguy2012 says:
10:11 AM, 03/31/11
Camaro inspired because since when does the corvette have rectangular tail lights?
93aero says:
10:23 AM, 03/31/11
I hope the rear bumper isn't too bulbous, it looked that way in some pics/spy photos. That could make those taillights look awkwardly tiny, so hopefully thats just an angle issue. On another note, its nice to see China is GM's new focus. Atleast chrysler is still gunning for US lol
travelingman79 says:
10:41 AM, 03/31/11
I'd be interested to know how those "camaro-inspired" taillamps are going to look where amber-colored turn signals are required (aka everywhere but North America).
1487 says:
10:49 AM, 03/31/11
"I really would like to buy a GM vehicle, but their reluctance to provide a manual transmission on lower priced cars makes it very difficult for me, especially since I haven't bought an automatic since 1978."
Camaro and Cruze have manuals and Sonic will as well. All are affordable. Few midsize sedans are sold with manuals and they are becoming more and more rarely. Lets not act like its a GM only issue. Lets not forget the Maxima and Altima used to offer manuals as did the Accord V6. Even the Elantra and Focus only have sticks on base trims.
albook says:
12:20 PM, 03/31/11
Okay, I'll admit.....I'm getting excited. And Honda should be getting busy on the next Accord.
jfold says:
12:28 PM, 03/31/11
I drove a 2000 Malibu for 8 years and for the most part really liked it. When I looked to replace that car last fall the current Malibu didn't make my cut because I thought it was everything it's commercials tried so desperately to say it is not: forgettable. I found the styling and overall ride generic. The thing I hated most about the styling was the uneven design of the tail lights. This refresh has at least captured my curiosity.
oxmead says:
03:27 PM, 03/31/11
Let's see , how about a nice direct ignition 4 cyl, 6 speed auto, downsize slightly from current car, 35 to 40 mpg, a nice interior, and a wagon or hatchback. That's when I get out the checkbook.
bmw__m5 says:
03:29 PM, 03/31/11
Wonder if the Camaro will get these tailights during its face lift.
bmw__m5 says:
05:27 PM, 03/31/11
Another thing, this odviously is the Amercian version of the car due to the lack of side repeaters, independent rear turn indicators and rear fog lamps.
albook says:
05:41 PM, 03/31/11
Why does everyone think the current car is so big? It's smaller than the Accord, Mazda 6 and Altima.
bmw__m5 says:
08:30 PM, 03/31/11
It is big. If you look across the pond you'll see cars such as BMW 3er, Mazda 3 and Ford Focus listed as full- size family cars.
wrinklebump says:
09:14 PM, 03/31/11
ed146, have you ever considered that your complete rejection of automatic transmissions puts you in maybe .01234123512568 % of the market
I think GM can live without you types
jorge05 says:
01:36 AM, 04/ 1/11
I live in Spain and this car looks fantastic. I have been waiting for the Malibu for years to arrive in Europe and at last Chevrolet will substitute the very poor Chevrolet Epica sold here. Chevrolet: You allready have a buyer!
cz_75 says:
02:15 AM, 04/ 1/11
Jesus, 70s retro tailights. The 70s blew, especially for car styling, and no amount of retro nostalgia will change that fundamental fact.
verbalpainter says:
06:24 AM, 04/ 1/11
I don't like the Camaro's tail lights...they look cheapened vs it's concept and now the Malibu follows? I love the current design of the Malibu and think they should stick w/ that a couple more years. Oh Well.
rexall says:
09:01 AM, 04/ 1/11
So at a certain level they transplanted the current Camaro's rear end styling to the Malibu? That's what I gather by the Youtube clip where he is shuffling through images of the Camaro. Where's the creativity? Brutal.
I don't like the current rear end of the Malibu (the shapes of the taillights remind me of stretched Chevy Camaro circa 1970) and while this revised design looks to be an improvement over the current gen rear end, the new taillights remind me of a Chevy Vega circa 1971.
noobnox says:
11:28 AM, 04/ 1/11
Abso-freakin-lutely, positively one of the coolest things I've seen lately.
The 3D hologram that is...if it is indeed real and not just special effects added for the video. The car design itself...meh, can't really tell much from that, and I've learned to not get high expectations with early renderings.
nasahrsandi9 says:
05:44 PM, 04/ 1/11
I hate the camaro thing going on there, that just doesn't look good for a family sedan.
notabigdeal says:
08:28 PM, 04/ 1/11
Chevy runs deep... in China.