#NYIAS: TEASED! Chevrolet Gives Us Just A Glimpse Of Its Next-Gen Malibu — What Does It NEED To SUCCEED?

#NYIAS: TEASED! Chevrolet Gives Us Just A Glimpse Of Its Next-Gen Malibu — What Does It NEED To SUCCEED?
Being that the 2015 New York Auto Show tends to be geared towards consumers, you need to start getting geared up for the likes of all-new volume product debuts. Although McLaren will be debuting its all new Sport Series in New York, it's sort of an anomaly.

More rooted in reality will be the launch of the all-new, 2016 Chevrolet Malibu.

Doesn't it feel like the all-new generation vehicle was just launched? I think that paints a pretty clear picture at how bad General Motors missed with the current product that's on the market.

As Agents we've been asking what GM has up its sleeve when it comes to selling volume. The Malibu and Impala have largely not been particularly fruitful and they really need to be.

According to Chevrolet's statement, the 2016 MY product will receive a wheelbase that's a staggering four inches longer and will drop an estimated 300 pounds. Both of those feats are huge from an engineering perspective. This makes me think it will have the spaciousness of the North American Volkswagen Passat and potentially have the fun factor of a Camaro.

But, what really matters are YOUR opinions. As buyers and in-market consumers, what are YOU looking for in a proper sedan at this price point? What does the next-gen, 2016 Chevrolet Malibu NEED to SUCCEED in this super crowded market?





Chevrolet's press release follows:

Born Again: Next-Gen Chevrolet Malibu Announced

Larger, lighter and more efficient Malibu to be unveiled at New York Auto Show


DETROIT – Designed to deliver more efficiency, connectivity and advanced safety features than ever, the next-generation 2016 Chevrolet Malibu will make its public debut at the New York International Auto Show this April.

Using a blank slate approach, Chevrolet designers benefited from an entirely new architecture, which for Malibu includes a wheelbase nearly four inches longer than the outgoing model. That, in turn, provides increased rear legroom and interior space.

Due to a higher-strength steel structure, the new Malibu is also expected to be 300 pounds lighter than the current model, which benefits the sedan’s fuel economy and handling.

“Malibu’s gorgeous styling is the result of a masterful understanding of proportions,” said Ed Welburn, General Motors’ vice president of Global Design. “The roofline has been stretched rearward giving a more sleek profile, while the front wheels have moved forward and front and rear overhangs have been reduced. Along with the sculpted body side, these cues help Malibu appear more dynamic and sophisticated.”

More details about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu will be shared each week leading up to the vehicle’s global debut. The 2016 Malibu is expected to go on sale by the end of 2015.


MDarringerMDarringer - 3/7/2015 7:55:30 PM
+3 Boost
1. Gorgeous styling
2. The banishment of the "two grill separated by a bar" face
3. Powertrains with MUCH better NVH control
4. A hybrid version that is NOT a fake hybrid like GM's eAssist
5. A plug-in hybrid to match the Fusion Energi
6. Value pricing
7. A Hyundai warranty


valhallakeyvalhallakey - 3/7/2015 8:17:22 PM
+2 Boost
Agree with all but #2, I still think it can work somehow, it almost has on some of the SUVs. I would add a couple more. They should have some variant that is entertaining to drive. They need car people to like it too, not just appliance people (CR). Chevy should also do something to make it unique, perhaps some styling queues to tie it to the Chevy people used to love. Chevy certainly has a long history to pull from.


jeffgalljeffgall - 3/7/2015 8:29:07 PM
-1 Boost
Could not agree more about #2. Back quarter looks promising. Front looks like a dud. Plus I really hate when the head lights are halogen and the DRLs are LED white/blue. Makes the LEDs look like an after thought (Mercedes - are you listening)


Agent00RAgent00R - 3/7/2015 8:29:16 PM
+2 Boost
Great list!

Can't argue with any of the points above.

Most critically, it has to look GREAT! Look what the Fusion's Aston Martin-inspired styling did for it. Not to mention, all around, it's a FANTASTIC vehicle.


MDarringerMDarringer - 3/7/2015 9:26:46 PM
-1 Boost
The Aston Martin look has made the Fusion an icon. Those who think the two grille/bar face can be made attractive are simply idiots.


vdivvdiv - 3/7/2015 10:13:37 PM
+1 Boost
#4 and #5, wow! Who are you and what have you done with MDarringer? :)

Forget the regular hybrid, it needs to have the new Voltec with above 40-mile all-electric range (double the Fusion Energi) and 400 combined.

I'd say the opposite of #6, do not cut corners.


DoukasDoukas - 3/7/2015 9:14:57 PM
+1 Boost
Make it a coupe 4 door, malibu's used to be 2 doors.


cidflekkencidflekken - 3/8/2015 3:38:46 AM
+2 Boost
The sales leaders in this class have all taken the look and feel to another level, where almost any of them could be an entry-level premium offering. Fusion, 6, 200, Accord, Sonata, and Optima all have a much more sophisticated look and refined feel. The current Malibu still looks like it's in a fight with the now-extinct Avenger.


valhallakeyvalhallakey - 3/8/2015 3:50:48 AM
+1 Boost
Of course the 57 Chevy looked ok with with the grill separated by a bar, so did the 70 Z/28 (the bar is the bumper but same effect), the 70 Chevelle and I would add the mid 2000s Silverado. I think all these are pretty nice looking, of course everyone has their own opinion on what looks good.


MDarringerMDarringer - 3/8/2015 12:23:13 PM
0 Boost
If the look worked now, I would be the first to champion the heritage of it, but the modern version has been a eyesore now for a decade.


trmckintrmckin - 3/8/2015 2:13:15 PM
+1 Boost
Make it "un-nascar" like. I swear it seemed like for decades that the domestics made at least one boring sedan just to have it fiberglassed into nascar form. Break the styling mold Chevy.


JDMUSMuscleJDMUSMuscle - 3/9/2015 10:02:30 AM
+1 Boost
Don't worry. You can't afford one anyway.


leejleej - 3/8/2015 3:18:00 PM
+1 Boost
Please do not make it a 'smaller Impala'. The Malibu and Impala have always been distinctively different. I think if they did a design reminiscent of the '68 Malibu, that would be cool.

The Malibu was not just a coupe...it was a coupe, a 4 door sedan, and a 4 door hardtop. The hardtop style had fram2less glass around the doors. There were also 2 door sedans, and 2 door hardtops...same type of configuration of framed vs frameless glass on the doors.


emiliojoseemiliojose - 3/8/2015 3:18:34 PM
+1 Boost
I would add something: it needs to be able to TURN! Having driven one as a loaner, I was appalled at how bad the car is to just turn. Trying to turn around that car felt like driving an oil tanker in the middle of the ocean. Made my humble mercedes feel like a Ferrari next to it.


leejleej - 3/8/2015 3:18:50 PM
+1 Boost
Of course...it's too late for Chevy to take any of our advice...the design is already complete. ;-)


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