2008 Chevrolet Malibu! *(Now fully naked...)*

[93JC]

Oooh... daddy like...



I'm surprised how much I like this. I still don't particularly care for the front end, but as Nick pointed out it does scream "CHEVROLET!", which GM has had an awful habit of not doing (see Impala/Monte Carlo, current Malibu pre- and post-facelift, 2003-2006 Aveo, Optra (5 moreso than sedan and wagon), Cavalier).

I like the flat back end. The sharper, abrupt end makes it seem more... I don't know, 'traditional'? It gives it more of a 'three-box' sedan feel, which most new sedans since the '96 Taurus don't give off. Take a Camry as an example: its lines give it a featureless blob look. Like the original clay model was never really styled at all: like Toyota just skipped that part of the design process and called it a day.

This... this looks like someone put some thought into it, whether you particularly care for the cues or not.


It seems long and wide as well, which is good.

[traumadog]

One thing I think noone's said that really should be said...


... is that the Malibu looks nothing like the G6/Aura (which if you squint, do have a resemblance).

[gasoline]

[sportyaccordy]

ARRGGHHH WHY SO BIG???

And I see a LOT of Buick and Acura TL. This gets the thumbs DOWN.

[gasoline]

ARRGGHHH WHY SO BIG???

And I see a LOT of Buick and Acura TL. This gets the thumbs DOWN.

???
The pictures? The car?

[The Pirate]

I do like it.

I think it'd look a lot better with a dual exhaust.  The lower black cutout on the back is vaguely reminscient of the SVT Contour imho.


I agree gasoline, GM takes poor press photos, and their color choice for photo car is questionable.

[Danish]

Wow...

The front, with that terrible nose just makes me wanna puke. It seems like they were on the verge of greatness with the rear end and then somehow messed up in the end because I can see something great lurking behind the rear end. I kind of like it but I kinda hate it too....

[gasoline]

Upper-level trim:

[ifcar]

Very slick. They abandoned those ridiculous chrome-plated wheels, which is a definite improvement in looking upscale.

[omicron]

I quite like it.

[FIU Panther]

I really need to see it in person but so far the front end is not really doing it for me. I feel the grill is a bit too aggressive for the overall shape of the car.

[nickdrinkwater]

I think it looks pretty good in grey.

[sportyaccordy]

???
The pictures? The car?

The car...it looks like it's the Impala's size now.

[ifcar]

The Impala is going to move to RWD and become a sportier and pricier model, so the Malibu has to absorb the current Impala customers who like a bigger car.

[SJ_GTI]

I am digging it. I think the Aura is a bit nicer looking oin the outside, but I like the Malibu's interior better.

[ifcar]

I'm worried that if they have a gray interior the passenger-side dash will look awful, but it otherwise looks very nice to me. I agree that the Aura exterior looks better as it is, but if they fixed the Malibu rear end I'd prefer it. It should be a success and a very capable car.

[gasoline]

The car...it looks like it's the Impala's size now.

It is.

[SJ_GTI]

It is.

Interior passenger room mybe, the I bet the Impala's trunk space is much bigger (which is really why most people/fleet buy them is my guess).

[ifcar]

Interior passenger room mybe, the I bet the Impala's trunk space is much bigger (which is really why most people/fleet buy them is my guess).

The new version may bring it pretty close.

[VetteZ06]

Upper-level trim:

Wow. That looks indescribably better than the red car in earlier photos. I really, really like this picture.

One thing's for sure, though - it looks quite sophisticated. Not like something you'd find on rental lots everywhere.

[Catman]

Wow. That looks indescribably better than the red car in earlier photos. I really, really like this picture.

One thing's for sure, though - it looks quite sophisticated. Not like something you'd find on rental lots everywhere.

Gray = good

[the Teuton]

Gray does make that car look a lot better.  I want to see it in person for a real impression, but for some odd reason GM has yet to hire any photographers that compliment the design of their cars.  Why do so many of the photos suck?

[tool]

I'd hit it.

[Car Zeus]

I'd ditch it.

[565]

Click here and scroll down for the newest images:
http://www.carspin.net/forums/the-mainstream-room/2008-chevrolet-malibu.60.html

Or just go here:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=119021#3

http://www.jalopnik.com/cars/news/chevrolet-reveals-teaser-of-2008-malibu-222602.php

Looks pretty blah.

But on the bright side, it didn't get it's ass Banglenated like that new Camry.

[sportyaccordy]

The Impala is going to move to RWD and become a sportier and pricier model, so the Malibu has to absorb the current Impala customers who like a bigger car.

Ah ok. That's actually not too bad of a plan. If they can beat the Crown Vic at it's own game with a 21st century chassis they will have a winner on their hands.

However, now what will fill the gap between the Cobalt and the Malibu?

[ifcar]

Corolla, Camry, Avalon lines up with Cobalt, 08 Malibu, 09 Impala.

[Car Zeus]

Looks like vanilla all rolled into one.

[ro51092]

Looks like vanilla all rolled into one.

Kinda like your next car 

[SVT666]

The exterior design does nothing for me, which is better then the old design which made me want to run over it with my truck.