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It’s promising to be a bit of a slow weekend, with the entire auto media preparing for a week of madness at either the New York Auto Show, or on the other side of the world, the Shanghai Auto Show. So here, to add to the building sense of anticipation, is yet another image of Chevy’s forthcoming 2013 Malibu. Enjoy… but just be sure to save some enthusiasm for next week.
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Looks like the internet has eaten the image for lunch, on Firefox anyway.
Wow…even without the picture there, anyone can tell it’s FAR better looking than the Fusion!
The Fusion is quite old at this point. And yet the new Malibu is looking a bit thick through the bodysides. I expected it to look better based on early buzz.
It looks nice, but VERY GM.
No Hay image in Chrome either. Or any browser.
Damn weekend interns. Autoblog has it.
I’ll reserve my judgment until I see it with the optional body side moldings and splash guards.
I highly doubt bodyside moldings will even be a factory option as with 90% of the blandmobiles on the road today. Decontenting at it’s best!
I’m gonna make a prediction here. Chevy sedan menu: Cruze (small), Malibu (medium), refreshed Impala (large.) Otherwise the styling will be the same just coming in various sizes.
That’s what they did in the 1960’s. Chevy ll/Nova looked a bit different, but Chevelle/Malibu vs. Impala/Caprice clearly were big vs. little brothers. Look at Camry – Corolla. Same thing. Perhaps that’s a secret of Toyota’s success – emulating GM of the 60’s! Which means…are you ready?…Toyota Colonnades, X-cars & J-cars to come!
Toyota does this with the Corolla and the Camry.
@Educator Dan- That family styling is working well for Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
It is curious that GM is showing the car so early. I think it is because they know the current Malibu is dated and want prospects who would like a fresher look to hold off their purchase until the new car is avaiable.
As Buickman and others note, in the good old days, the new model cars were kept hidden until announcement day to build interest. Since my Olds Sales days, I have thought that showing the new car early will tend to supress sales of the current model.
Actually I’ve always thought that showing the new model this early makes it look OLD quicker. Just like when GM showed the new Camaro for years before putting the first one on the road.
It’s a pretty unremarkable-looking car. And the shape of the headlights, grille and lower fascia make it look even more similar to the Regal than it is.
It’s certainly not unattractive, though. That’s something I can’t say about the Accord.
Also, when is GM going to learn to stop unveiling cars over a year before their release date? It prematurely ages the styling, hurts the sales of the outgoing model and reduces the “wow” factor once the car finally hits the market. It’s stupid. Look at Honda. They’re famously tight-lipped about their latest new hideous designs, revealing them just before they go on sale. Meanwhile, they sell the heck out of the old car until the very last moment.
As much as I hate Chevy, I have to admit they’ve got products that should be moving in higher retail volumes than they do. But they’re so boneheaded at marketing that they’re standing in their own way.
are we related?
The secret of success for the market that buys this car is to be unremarkable and reliable. Period. Remember, we’re talking Frigidare on four wheels, and the absolute last choice to the average auto site blogger.
Have to agree with you about the early release date, though. I can still remember the excitement back in the 50’s when dad’s dealership papered over all the windows so they could move the new year’s models in seclusion. And customers didn’t get in to the showroom the day or two before the new models introduction. Somebody would be really smart to try that tactic again.
BINGO! we have a winner!
Amen, brother!
Was it really that long ago???
The hood’s still too fat.
Not a very flattering pic at all. Or maybe it’s just the subject.
Is there some kind of reverse tail fin thing going on with the hood? Maybe it’s to balance out the double chin? Either way, needs more chrome….
And what is the reflected line between the wheel wells from? Obviously some art director decided it needed more bling. They just need to learn how to photo-chop a bit better. One can tell by the license plate that it is not a US model.
From this angle the hindquarter has “Azera” written all over it. And that would be a shame, because the current Malibu is actually a nicely-designed car that deserves its own look.
All I can say is … meh.
+1. Mehlibu would be a more fitting name.
I would mostly agree. Not a bad looking car, really. Just plain to me, much like the others in its class.
Nothing in this class is a real looker, unless you consider the Sonata, which some people think is just the greatest, but I think it looks like it is trying to hard and will age poorly.
Boring.
Holy Jamie Farr! Look at at that front end!
Is this to meet the EU ‘OMG don’t hurt the ipod drone that steps out in front of you’ rules?
It looks so dreamy and soft, I myself might just step out in front of one.
@ Rob, Meh sells. How else could you explain all those Camrys on the road?
A reputation for quality that GM is nowhere close to matching, government-fueled slander against Toyota not withstanding.
The reputation is fading fast. And don’t blame the gov’t when there were problems that Toyota had to fix, or did you forget that there were actual recalls.
Steve-O, that reputation perhaps WAS fading from its lofty heights — thanks in no small part to the ham-fisted efforts of Ray DaHood — but it’s already coming back.
By comparison, GM is starting out from the darkest depths of the sub-basement of public perception, and that’s not likely to radically change anytime soon. Particularly with stories out there of steering wheels falling off in drivers’ hands, and suspect fires…
@Rob Finfrock- If Toyota’s rep is coming back, why do they keep losing market share?
GM has typically enjoyed higher powertrain quality than Toyota, Honda, Ford and others for a number of years. Compare consumer reports last full year Civic to Cobalt engine quality, for example. GM leads. Always transmissions, most always engines.
The rest of the vehicle has been coming up to speed on the foundation of quality systems Tom Stephens was assigned to implement globally along with his responsibilities to lead GM Powertrain a few years ago.
Today’s GM vehicles are produced with the benefit of those improvements, and enjoy quality competitive with any other maker.
Not a knock on the Malibu in particular but of Chevrolet in general; I wonder if more cross-shoppers would consider Chevy if the bowtie was less in-your-face.
I would be happy if all automkers got away from that logo as large as a pie plate trend. It is offensive and obnoxious all at once. At least the bow tie is an attractive shape. What’s with that Mazda whale tail or the Hyundai melted H? The Toyota sombrero is pretty cool, though…
I’m relieved to find out I’m not the only one who sees the sombrero man in Toyota’s logo. When I was younger I thought their logo was bull horns but after extensive time looking at the Matrix’s steering wheel I realized it’s a sombrero man.
I’ve read rumors it’s actually a funny T, but I insist it’s sombrero man.
The era of good looking cars is over – pedestrian and side-impact regulations killed it.
Every new car design must meet certain front fascia height requirements, the hood must offer impact protection by providing several inches of clearance above the engine block, and beltlines have risen to protect us from SUV side impacts.
Designers are essentially all given the same “box” and charged with making it interesting. Thus all the big headlights, crease lines along the sides of the vehicle, etc. Look past all the gimmicks, and you’ll see the same uninamously bulbous front ends, high hoods, and high beltlines on every front-engine car.
And 99% of consumers won’t care.
Don’t even get me started on the new head restraint regulations…
I’m still not feeling this car. It’s fussier and more nose-heavy than the Regal it’s based on, and not nearly as elegant as the current Malibu (which is, arguably, the best-looking car in it’s class, and a tough act to follow).
The current Malibu is a looker, but this one has some promise. I like the side profile and the headlights. I’m not crazy about the Camaro-like tail lights (those are my least favorite part of the Camaro as well). I think the front would look a lot better if the grill were about 2x or 3x bigger, and took up the whole front sort of how Audi does.
Side note: I saw a Camaro convertible on the road today.
One, I can see what GM is trying to do with this car; it shares a hood profile with the Camaro. Two, the Camaro looks a lot better with it’s top down.
Please keep in mind any pics at this point are merely proto material. The Malibu started the resurgence of Bowtie pride in 08 with over 33 awards that year including Nort American Car of the Year. That has been followed up by the Traverse,Equinox,Camaro and the Cruze. The combination of Equinox and Terrain sales were number one in the class in March, above Toyota and Honda. Mainly due to the fact that for the money it offers the most(in quality,styling, and substance). If you do not at least check out Chevrolet before making a buying decision, then you are uninformed or just hate American made products. I feel sorry for people like Finfrock, who have nothing more to do in their lives than to try and spread disinformation about a quality American brand.
In Conclusion, the American taxpayer will end up making a huge profit on the bailout money that WILL be paid back with interest well ahead of schedule. Parts shortages and potential radioactivity fears by consumers will slash Toyota and Honda sales as the year progresses. These circumstances will vault GM back to being the number one carmaker in the world as it should be by the end of 2011. The reason I say as it should be is quite frankly Americans are unequaled in technology or quality workmanship when motivated. I assure you GM is motivated.
GM RULES-CHEVY RULES GM
Z71_Silvy just messed his keyboard…
Wow, go get’em tiger! As crazy as you sound, I wish more GM people lived up to that spirit.
But I don’t think we’ll be seeing $55/sh prices anytime soon so the US will lose money on the deal but that was never really the point.
It looks like what they did to the Impala. Made a sort of interesting car very bland and devoid of personality.
In 60s cars were long, wide and low. In 90s cars were aerodynamic, cab-forward with low hoods. Today style is similar to 50s – car are bulbous with high seating position for easily ingress and commanding view of the road, looking more like SUVs. What happened? Boomer generation is joining AARP in increasing numbers. AARP members have difficulty sitting low and not seeing roofs of nearby cars. But is it is fair for the rest of us? We want cool cars, low and wide.
Pedestrian impact regulations and rear view cameras too
Where did you see pedestrians in America?
It looks ready for Bayformers 3: Dae-woo’s Revenge. Do you think Frank Welker will voice this one too?
This is a new car?
It looks like what is on the road already.
Maybe it absorded so many design elements out there already, it no longer looks new.
You’re the first person on this thread to say that and I agree with you. I can’t see much difference between the picture and the current model. Not that it’s a bad thing because I think the current model has the best styling in the segment.
We leased a Malibu last fall after testdriving the Fusion & Mazda 6. What we really liked about it was the conventional luxury car ride. Obviously GM tuned the suspension for a smooth floaty ride at the expense of handling prowness but for the way we drive that is exactly what we wanted. To the best of my knowledge no other car in this segment offers a ride quality comparable to the Malibu. All the rest have suspensions tuned for road feel/handling to one degree or another. I haven’t test driven an Accord or a Camry so maybe those two have ride qualities comparable to the Malibu.
I will say we are completely satisfied with our Malibu. Call it an appliance if you like but it is a very comfortable riding car.
“By comparison, GM is starting out from the darkest depths of the sub-basement of public perception, and that’s not likely to radically change anytime soon. ”
Chevrolet Sells 1.1 Million Vehicles in Best-Ever First Quarter
Chevrolet sold 1.1 million vehicles worldwide in the first three months of 2011, a 15 percent increase over the first quarter of 2010 and the brand’s best first-quarter results ever.
Yes. I think you have your finger on the pulse.
Let’s wait for the fleet vs. retail breakdown before thinking you have point here, mmm-kay?
About what I expected overall with plain sides, Camaro like taillights and a more funky interior. The 4 cylinder only powertrains will be a bummer as will the lack of a real stick, the curbweight has yet to be announced but if this car is based on the chunky Regal, I’m expecting a 3600 LB Malibu for starters with fuel economy no better than todays car if were lucky. Expect the 2.4 182 HP DI L-4, a new optional 2.5 L-4 with 200 plus HP and the 2.0 liter T with around 220-225 HP. The V6 is history after the current 2012’s abbreviated short year run.
Ah yes. The tried and trus “must be fleet sales” angle of the B&B…
There seems to be a lot of ignorance to the reality that “fleet sales”, command the same dealer prices as any other sale. In fact, they are processed through dealers who typically take a small margin to handle the transaction. On the “front end”, they are just as good as any other business.
Does anyone have any idea what sort of residual value guarantee, if any, car makers give to fleet companies these days? It is the “back end” that was so costly in the past.
I expect residual value guarentee is less generous than in the past as GM & Ford have consciously decided to reduce fleet sales. That does not mean they turn the business away! GM’s fleet sales were down from the 30%’s to 26% in Q1.
In years past, many returned fleet cars commanded nearly as much, or more than original dealer prices when sold at auction. I believe the years of huge subsidy of residual value to move fleet deals are past.
Even so, GM’s hot new products seem to be enjoying higher residual values than in the past.
The bottom line is that fleet sales should not automatically be assumed to be bad business, though concerns about brand image are valid.
Did it occur to anyone that the fleets get to choose who they buy from? Don’t you think they want to buy what their customers or clients want, and, most importantly, what gives them the most value?
The knock against fleet sales is that the domestics traditionally used rental fleets as dumping grounds for aging and/or base-trim models (or less, the no-side-airbag Impalas come to mind) they knew they couldn’t move at retail. The rental companies would then flip those cars about the same time that retail buyers would be looking to trade-in, resulting in a depreciation bloodbath for the sucker who bought new. Government and corporate sales didn’t factor into that, but the “meals rejected by Ethiopians” stigma tainted the entire non-retail category.
It is a valid knock, though the fleets wanted the decontented cars, they were not forced on them.
Old GM had no choice but to crank the assembly lines to generate cash to pay, or try to pay the bills. They could not reduce labor or entitlement costs with sub pay, jobs bank, etc. That is not a problem today.
My Mother adores her rental-spec, no-side-airbags 2006 ex-rental Stratus SXT. She loved the price($10k, 18k miles,) she loves the spritely dynamics and the reliability.
No mechanical issue in it’s 80k miles.
Keep pretending people don’t want next-to-new cars that others feel too-good for. My family will keep buying them at 50% off, and we’ll keep getting everywhere we’re going for 200k per car like we used to whenever we bought new. :)
“MaliBuick”?
“MaLacrosse”?
“EpiBu”?
Rentibu?