2016 Malibu

[68_427]

http://media.chevrolet.com/media/us/en/chevrolet/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2015/mar/0304-malibu.html

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.

[12,000 RPM]

Looks good. Hope they fixed the back seat

[68_427]

Looks good. Hope they fixed the back seat

4in longer wheelbase

[MexicoCityM3]

Looks good. The mainstream american sedans have been getting interesting the last few years. Fusion, 200 are lookers. Japanese as boring as ever except Mazda. VW is the worse. Passat and Jetta couldn't be any blander.

[12,000 RPM]

Its funny how shit flipped.

[68_427]

Profile reminds me of the model s

[Madman]

4in longer wheelbase

That's nice.

Except for one thing.  The current Malibu has a wheelbase of 107.8 inches.  The Impala has a wheelbase of 111.7 inches.  Add four inches to the Malibu's wheelbase and you have 111.8 inches.  So what, you ask?  Well, if the next Malibu is going to be as big as the Impala then what is the point of the Impala?

Considering the 2016 Malibu's wheelbase will be essentially the same as the Impala's (which was newly redesigned for 2014) I suspect this won't be an "all-new" platform, but rather a recycling of the current Impala's platform.  Chevy may as well merge the Malibu and Impala into a single model.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Its funny how shit flipped.

WORD!

[ifcar]

That's nice.

Except for one thing.  The current Malibu has a wheelbase of 107.8 inches.  The Impala has a wheelbase of 111.7 inches.  Add four inches to the Malibu's wheelbase and you have 111.8 inches.  So what, you ask?  Well, if the next Malibu is going to be as big as the Impala then what is the point of the Impala?

Considering the 2016 Malibu's wheelbase will be essentially the same as the Impala's (which was newly redesigned for 2014) I suspect this won't be an "all-new" platform, but rather a recycling of the current Impala's platform.  Chevy may as well merge the Malibu and Impala into a single model.

First of all, the Impala will still be clearly distinguished from the Malibu by virtue of a huge rear overhang with a massive trunk, regardless of the wheelbase. Do these look like they're too close together in size?




Secondly, the Impala is a great car, so what's the problem with it sharing more components with the Malibu if that is indeed what happens?

Thirdly, the previous-generation Malibu had a wheelbase of 112.3 inches, so this size/shape is hardly unprecedented.

[68_427]

Would rather see an Impala/Traverse style grill

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

  The Camaro is the only one that matters!

[Madman]

First of all, the Impala will still be clearly distinguished from the Malibu by virtue of a huge rear overhang with a massive trunk, regardless of the wheelbase. Do these look like they're too close together in size?




Secondly, the Impala is a great car, so what's the problem with it sharing more components with the Malibu if that is indeed what happens?

Thirdly, the previous-generation Malibu had a wheelbase of 112.3 inches, so this size/shape is hardly unprecedented.

I'm not implying there's anything wrong with using the Impala's platform for the Malibu.  But, if they are, it is a bit disingenuous to call it "all-new".

However, taking an Impala and trimming the front and rear overhangs is a cost-effective way to make a new Malibu.  It also cures the lack of back seat legroom everyone keep complaining about.  The thing is, if the two cars have the same interior space, I really can't see the point of anyone coughing up the extra cash for an Impala.  You'd have to really want that slightly bigger trunk to pay more for it.  I can see it working if Chevy loads the Impala with more luxury features and moves the car slightly more upmarket in order to distance itself from the Malibu.

Then again, that could also be seen as encroaching on Buick's territory.  It's a tough balancing act.

[2o6]

Epsilon II is pretty much all new - it only went into prodution in 2010 with the new Buick Regal. Rehashing the platform, and using a total rethink from the ground up is a pretty big deal.





Also, GM has a lot of plans for the Chevy brand this year....New Malibu (which is funny, this means this model cycle will be very short) as well as what looks like a new Camaro, new Cruze and new Spark

[68_427]

Yeah the picture is volt, cruze, Malibu, camaro, and spark

[GoCougs]

The current gen Malibu was pretty much GM's sole misstep in its new incarnation.

[TBR]

The Impala is a fantastic car....my favorite rental of all time was a new model Impala. If the Malibu is just a shorter version then that's pretty promising.

[12,000 RPM]

That's nice.

Except for one thing.  The current Malibu has a wheelbase of 107.8 inches.  The Impala has a wheelbase of 111.7 inches.  Add four inches to the Malibu's wheelbase and you have 111.8 inches.  So what, you ask?  Well, if the next Malibu is going to be as big as the Impala then what is the point of the Impala?

Considering the 2016 Malibu's wheelbase will be essentially the same as the Impala's (which was newly redesigned for 2014) I suspect this won't be an "all-new" platform, but rather a recycling of the current Impala's platform.  Chevy may as well merge the Malibu and Impala into a single model.

Im not seeing platform sharing being possible with the weight savings they are touting. Plus shared wheelbases among different models is not weird. Altima/Maxima share a wheelbase and they just made a new Maxima. They can separate the two just fine.

[2o6]

The impala has a lot of crap in it. 300 lbs is doable

[68_427]

300lbs off the current bu which is already how much lighter than the impala?

[2o6]

GM cars have weight issues anyways

[MexicoCityM3]

GM cars have weight issues anyways

Because of their drivers?

[68_427]

Here's the new Spark.  The Opel Karl

[Cookie Monster]

Oh god those headlights look so much better than the current Spark's giant doofus headlights.

[Morris Minor]

The only thing I don't like on the Impala is the look of the rear light clusters. Not saying Chevy need to be fashion slaves & install gigawatt LEDs, but the clusters look out of place as low rent items on an otherwise great-looking car.

[Raza]

Looks like a coupe. 

[cawimmer430]

Where's the wagon version? Or do I need to go back to the year 1978 if I want a good-looking Malibu wagon? 

[2o6]

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/04/01/2016-chevy-malibu-hybrid-official/



Not 100% keen on the styling, but the engine options look very competitive. Very excited to see how GM made this car stay competitive and erase the mediocre current car.

[FoMoJo]

Not bad.  However, split grilles never really appealed to me, even on Fords.  Interesting engine choices.

[Cookie Monster]

Not bad.  However, split grilles never really appealed to me, even on Fords.  Interesting engine choices.

I agree, but even with the weird grille I think it looks fantastic.

[12,000 RPM]

It looks really good. I'm seeing a little Tesla Model S in this side profile pic, particularly around the C pillar. I don't think that's an accident.



Speaking of the C pillar though I'm not crazy about how it bulges at the side. I suppose they did that for headroom.