Video: Bob Lutz gives a tour of the 2008 Chevy Malibu

i can see that

Though I do feel that the Cadillac CTS will actually take CotY status, this is a landmark effort on Chevy's part.

Now GM has two Cord/Cam/Alt fighters worthy of the ring... Aura and Malibu!

I'm so impressed with this effort, that I'm encouraging friends that are planning to purchase new cars late this year, to seriously give it a test drive.

If this a harbinger of GM vehicles to come, they are definitely on the right track.

Great Job!

I also think the Caddy CTS will be COTY as well. But Chevy did justice for the Malibu. I think it'll wind up being a better built Saturn Aura, which isn't a bad thing at all.

Why does GM have such complicated trim levels? Go to any of its brands' website and try to build a car. WTF?

variety...

I'm told that it's the spice of life!

IDK, i've read the specs on this in GMI and it falls a bit behind on its biggest competitors. doesn't offer enough interior room that meets the accord or camry, lack of nav, bluetooth, manual tranny in 4cyl & even a rear armrest. it has a 4 speed auto (why??) unevitably speaking, no dual zone climate control, lower MPG, less pwr and a bit heavier than its comps. and in its past, the malibu was a piece of.. I know, we rented it to go to OC a yr back. at least it didn't break down on us. the only shining light from GM I can see is the CTS and aura. but with this car, its gonna take a while for it to be sucessful as the camry and accord.

What you fail to understand is that the vast majority of buyers in this class, don't really seem to care much about most of the options you listed, as the mid/lower-end versions of those vehicles outsell the high-end version exponentially.

As I stated before, I feel that many buyers are willing to give American vehicles a chance if they offered something visually appealing/reliable at a good price.

Nitpicking this effort only serves to undermine to solid effort it truly is.

Fact Check:

Fuel-saving SIX-SPEED automatic transmission available with both four-cylinder and V-6 engines - a segment exclusive for four-cylinder engines

Impressive presentation by Lutz, and the car looks great, both interior and exterior, BUT...
The big question...does it drive as well as it looks?

Probably not, but do any cars in this segment drive well?

Oh, well, yeah, I guess so... but the Malibu will do fine. It is supposedly right in-between the Camry and Accord in terms of comfort/performance.

And far better looking than either!

Note: A Good Looking Malibu... WOW!

what about the aura?

This sounds like Martha Stewart telling a grade two class what a car is. I prefer to hear numbers
0-60
60-0
and fuel consumption and slalum speed.

Then spell slalom right.

I love how they copy the "CLS" lights, just as many other companies have. But if it works, it works.

Are you referring to the taillamps? Because Chevy said they were inspired by the Corvette.

Who wouldn't copy the CLS, anyway?

Bob's so excited about this car he starts barking like a dog at -2.22.