The 2008 Malibu: Best Viewed In-Person
By Clay Dean
Malibu Lead Designer
It was supposed to be a surprise — the new Chevy Malibu — but unfortunately, someone broke the embargo the company had placed on its pre-show previews of the car. Fortunately for car enthusiasts, the company responded by releasing a full set of photos of the car.
Despite the lack of surprise, it was still a thrill for me to have a hand in revealing the Malibu today at the North American International Auto Show. You have to know that I’m probably biased about the car, since I led the design team, but I think the new Malibu is a great car.
It has also been great to read on several discussion forums the positive responses the new car is getting. For me, this is real confirmation that the car is good. Positive unsolicited comments from enthusiasts… on a four-door sedan no less.
While the photos of the Malibu were no longer a surprise by the time of the reveal, I believe the reality of the car will be a surprise. It’s even better than the photos made it look.
You just have to see the car in person. It seems to come to life, and the details that we labored so hard on really shine. It’s a simple car really, but the simple ones are so difficult to execute. When they’re done well, though, you really appreciate seeing them “in the flesh.”
I don’t think I can properly express how important the Malibu is for us. It really is central to Chevy’s success, and it introduces several new aesthetic features that will continue to pop up in future Chevy cars and trucks. The front of the Malibu showcases the new face of Chevrolet — the dual port grille design — and it features a refined, sheer bodyside devoid of redundant trim.
The only interruptions in the bodyside are subtly bulging wheel forms, a creased body feature high on the bodyside, and subtle, sophisticated highlights of bright trim around the side glass and the lower rocker.
The car looks rich. The profiles of the nose of the car, the roofline, even the rear deck all evoke the ambiance of something much more expensive. And that’s what we wanted &#!%!; a luxury car look that is attainable by many people.
The interior is sensational too! John Mack and his team have captured the same emotion inside the car by focusing on a Chevy twin cockpit theme. The two-tone brick and black color theme is awesome and continues the impression of luxury introduced by the exterior.
Performance-wise, the Malibu will have four- and six-cylinder engine options, a six-speed transmission, 17-18-inch wheels and many other features that your dealer can tell you about.
I hope you enjoy exploring the Malibu. My team and I are very proud of it and truly believe it is the beginning of some fantastic new Chevy vehicles you’ll be seeing in the near future. The Malibu will be at your Chevy dealer this fall… give it a good look, but look quick, because we’re already working on the next one
To get a better look at the Malibu, check out FYI for a video interview with the car’s designers. Don’t forget to take a look at our Flickr galleries for a special NAIAS album, featuring this year’s vehicles. And in case you missed this morning’s reveal, make sure to watch the video below.
- Posted in Auto Shows
Chris
Toyota has awoken a sleeping giant.
Congrats GM !
Chris
J.Crew
Great work! I can’t wait to see it in person when I hit the show this week. I agree you need to view a car in person to make any real statement about the design. GM is on fire this year at the show! Car and Truck of the Year, the new CTS, Malibu, as well as leading edge concept cars and more gems coming down the pipeline to be revealed later this year. Mr. Lutz let slip on the G8 - keep em coming!
noel park
Nice looking car. Best of luck with it. When will the hybrid version be available?
Clutch Lover
Now can you make a 6spd manual a $1000 option on it for those of us who like sporty cars? Since almost everything is an automatic now adays it is hard for those of us who like manuals to find them and almost impossible for GM vehicles. So why not change the perception of a manual and make it the up cost option; make the fully loaded Malibu SS come with a $1000 manual transmission upgrade.
Paul
While I’m happy with the hybridization of your line, I can’t help but wonder: When’s my hybrid Aveo or Astra coming out? That’s the kind of car this treehugger is waiting for.
Bob Larson
It’s a great design and also purely Chevrolet, congratulations!
Since you’ve been reading the forums, I’m sure you’ve seen criticisms of the car apparently lacking both nav and bluetooth availability. While a minority of buyers in this segment might be very concerned about that, I do think not having screen-based nav available is a mistake, and here’s why…
Simply being able to show the car in your promotional media with a screen on the dash today proclaims, “I am modern.” Not showing it sends a signal, IMO, of “I’m not so different from the old Malibu.” Not good, obviously. I find it hard to believe that the optional swap from the standard “bow-tie” radio could be too big of a leap in terms of overall cost impact; I mean the car already has OnStar and that means it has GPS built-in.
Hopefully a screen-based nav option will appear in the near future, and I hope overall the Malibu will be able conquest sales from the Asian manufacturers.
Jeremy
I was fortunate enough to see a glimpse of this car in Las Vegas at the dealer meeting last fall. You HAVE to see this car in person to be able to fully appreciate it. At that time we were blown away, and we never even got to see the interior. Now that I have seen the interior, I can assure you that this car will be a hit. Great job!
inline6
Absolutely beautiful. Fantastic job to GM. A thousand kudos!
Now one thing regarding your midsize sedan program bothers me. I’ve seen the photos of the new G6 GXP. I have to wonder if the same people who kept adding plast-i-tak to Pontiacs 5-20 years ago are still at it. The car has no more power (reportedly) than the GTP, yet it’s got an overblown spoiler and a grille that looks like nothing other than beaver teeth. The G6 GXP is nothing short of awful and the same-old-same-old from the people that gave us the Ram Air package on the old Grand Am GT.
You should have at least offered the DI 3.6 or…or something.
However embarrassing for GM the G6 GXP is, it’s just one trim line in one of your fairly successful midsize product lines.
I’m glad that you’re erasing memories of the “old GM” that gave us the completely awkward and invisible ‘04-07 Malibu.
And though the outgoing Maxx was a cheesy in both name and styling, I still think that GM needs to add some sort of variant to the new Malibu. The best candidate would be an actual honest-to-goodness wagon model…maybe with a 3rd seat option.
That way, you’d have the midsize coupe and convertible markets covered with the G6, the 5-door sedan market covered by the upcoming imported Saturn “Signum” and the wagon market covered by the Malibu without having your midsize models compete in the more niche bodystyle markets.
And if the Malibu wagon came with a 3rd seat option, you’d have an option for people who don’t want to move all the way up in size and price to a Tahoe or upcoming Lambda to get that third row.
That said, I feel the need to repeat my kudos to GM. Great job on the Malibu. It looks beautiful, powerful, and has character and and upscale, quality look. The fact that, according to the speech at launch, there will be a hybrid version at intro as well, is even better news.
Keep up the good work, GM. You still need to.
John
Awesome!
I like it! I’ll tell you that!
Keep up the good work.
Don’t stop improving!
CapitalTruck
Man, I am glad this has come together. Hopefully the Malibu will do the job. It has been great seeing GM receive such accolades this year?
CapitalTruck
Man, I am glad this has come together. Hopefully the Malibu will do the job. It has been great seeing GM receive such accolades this year!
Buick Diesel
You guys are on a roll! Keep it going!
Not to beat a dead horse, but where are the 3,962,326,8223,981 journalists writing about the gas guzzling Tundra compared to the Chevy Volt or even the Silverado for that matter?
What are the odds they all went on vacation at the same time? 1 in 999……99999 exponent 999?
John
Nice looking car.
There’s something pretty familiar about it though.
New Malibu:
http://www.leftlanenews.com/wp-content/plugins/iimage-gallery.php?idpost=4594&idg=1&idi=5
Toyota Avalon:
http://www.toyota.com/avalon/index.html?s_van=GM_TN_AVALON_INDEX
Now, while the sheet metal may not be very original, there should be a solid market for an American Avalon, assuming it’s priced right and reasonably reliable.
(Well, make that a More American Avalon, given that the Toyota Avalon is built in Kentucky.)
This could be a big one for GM! Just price it right and get the bugs worked out before it gets to the dealer!
Ted
Nice work guys. I hope going forward I can suggest Malibu as an alternative to Camry/Accord shoppers.
It looks great and it sounds like you will have very competitive engines, tranny’s, and features.
Also - I’m VERY excited about the possible G8. Please, please a few concerns that come to mind immediately.
1) Right engine: 350-400HP V8
2) Right trannies: 6-speed manual or 6-speed auto
3) Right price: Starting at $24995 with some decent safety features and MP3 CD capability, but without luxury items like leather or sunroof or nav if you have to.
4) Right attitude: No dealer gouging.
5) Right away: Try to get it here as a 2008 model avail by the end of this year! Or as fast as humanly possible.
6) Right look: If it has to come out with no sheet metal changes at first to control price, that’s ok. But plan to update the sheet metal mid-life when you start building them in North America.
sheth
This car looks good, especially with the 18″ wheels. I have to say you did an excellent job because there arent many genuinely attractive affordable family sedans. I like the Aura as well, but this is even better. This is kind of like the ‘98 Intrigue was when it debuted. A very new, sophisticated look for a relatively dull segment. FINALLY we are seeing mainstream cars from GM that follow up on the promise shown by the Alero, Intrigue and Aurora 5+ years ago.
Jeff
Nice car, but why does GM choose such ugly colours for its press release photos. Berry red for Malibu, and fusion orange for CTS. Both vehicles are drop dead stunning, but the colours are eewww.
john
looks nice - only one thing: please re-consider this new Chevrolet ‘face’ styling theme, which seems to be more of a continuation of slapping a big horizontal bar across the front end. I never saw the attraction in that. Please leave the big horizontal bar front end theme to the Chevy Trucks, where it tends to execute quite nicely. Thank You.
Morris Minor
I’ve been thinking recently that one can gauge an automobile manufacturer pretty well by its offerings in the mid-range, cloth seated, four-bangers aimed at Joe Average. This thought train was kicked off by C&D’s recent comparison test of these basic sedans.
Forget about optioning up to the leather interiors, the climate control, the silky six-cylinder motor. Forget about the seven speaker surround sound & the gleaming rims. I’ll forgo the navigation system, buy instead a $3.99 Rand-McNally map, and put the savings towards the kids’ college education.
The real measure of a company, the evidence of its commitment to quality, careful engineering, and value, is to be found in its entry in the $20,000 segment.
If they offer a cynically-put-together box that is only barely good enough to be flogged out to rental fleet buyers, you know that the company has either lost the plot, or never had it in the first place. On the other hand, the company may be ingenious enough to put together a gem. This would be a car to be taken seriously by careful buyers, the ones who measure their success on a balance sheet rather than the size of the car loan they can swing. Such a car would indicate that the company’s corporate culture is OK. They got the basics right.
When you get the basics right, people take you seriously, your cars sell themselves. You don’t do coarse huckster stuff, like zero percent finance, or rebates.
If your offering in the $20,000 four-banger range is excellent, the chances are good I’m also going to look at the rest of your offerings.
I’ve rented many cars over past few years; they are all a blur, except one, an Accord LX from Enterprise two years or so ago; it was such fun.
John
While I’m happy with the hybridization of your line, I can’t help but wonder: When’s my hybrid Aveo or Astra coming out? That’s the kind of car this treehugger is waiting for.
Posted by: Paul on January 9, 2007 12:09 PM
Paul, I really think you should consider moving to a city and taking public transport.
A lot of us care for the environment as well, but judging by your comments on the blog over some time, I think that in all practicality, you shouldn’t be thinking about a car at all–not in a rude way, but in all seriousness.
You cannot be such a committed tree-hugger (so much so that you would only consider a used diesel Astra hybrid–something that is about a decade off if even certain) and still be so attached to cars.
You want GM to make all the sacrifices you don’t want to make yourself.
Let me tell you, there are few people like you (who are willing to buy a hybrid on the cheap).
Most hybrid buyers are more affluent than the regular consumer, and they live equivalent lifestyles.
Th first hybrids are not likely to be so affordable.
So I think if you are that concerned about your impact on the environment, you should seriously consider ditching the car altogether.
You don’t have to give up your enthusiasm for the earth, but you do have to be realistic.
Energy is not free, and those who live off the sun have far simpler lives than either of us do (or much more money).
Edward Hayes
Oh it was a perfect moment!
Just Perfect!
Saw Bob with the beautiful Car and Truck of the year. Finally got Rick smiling. Yeah look don’t worry about that $10 billion we are going to get your money back.
Saw the sleek new Malibu, and the car that will put GM back on top of the technology pecking order the Volt. Then they asked me to answer a poll, should we build it? Let me put it this way. It’s not General Concepts, it’s not General Studies, it’s not General Let’s Think It Over, it’s General Motors. That’s right, you build motors. High I am Edward, you’re General Motors, and you make Motors and I am your customer, I buy them. Or we could rename the company, General Studies On Things Other Companies Can Build For Us Inc.
Like I said everything is going perfect and then somebody had to mention Intrigue. What’s next Aurora or maybe Velite, I hope nobody mentions the Velite. Well at least they built the Velite crossover. And the Intrigue and Aurora’s spirit lives on in the Aura.
The winning comment came at the end though. Look fast because we are already working on the next Malibu.
THAT’S IT, YOU GOT! WE TAUGHT GM HOW TO FISH!
I want GM to understand two points here.
1. Once you have the rhythm, you are all set. See if Nissan redesigns the Murano every two years, it don’t matter no more how it looks because the customer goes to the dealership to try and figure it out, they leave with the car get it home, 3 years from now they figure it out. Hay this thing is ugly. They bring it back to the dealership.
Dealer. “Well now we have a sleek new one.”
“Oh yeah, that looks much better.”
There is a reason the automobile industry has its roots in Motown. You figure out the rhythm, you eat forever.
2. Then there is Longer, Lower, Wider. Pull out of the fast lane for a minute come on over to the side of the road. Look, that is great for a sports car or a sports sedan in Pontiac terminology but for a car for a family.
I personally have never heard in my life an adult get into a car, “Honey, this car is too high, we will not be able to see under the mat trucks and 18 wheelers. Let’s just forget about the family sedan, think we can squeeze a baby seat in a Diablo.”
Oh GM sooo much to tell you!
Look! You know in real estate they say “Location, Location, Location!”
In politics they say, “It’s the economy stupid!”
Well in car design its “Silhouette, Silhouette, Silhouette!”
The Solstice has a perfect silhouette or profile for a small sports car, but not a perfect profile for a crossover. The original Taurus had a perfect profile for a family sedan. Now here is what profile means on a car. Just like in the army the more bars you have the higher your status. Well in design speak…
Belt Line - The higher the belt line the higher your status. Think Hummer H3.
Trunk - The bigger and higher the trunk, or rump, that means you’re carrying more stuff, it means more wealth.
Character Lines - Think of the new character lines on the Camry’s snout. It means you have arrived. it’s like the Camry has grown a distinctive and well trimmed beard. And the back lights on the Camry are curved like the car is giving you a wink.
Seating height - There are two ideas going on here. So before you break out the ruler. A low dash and “out of the way” hood view can give you the impression of a higher seat. The other way is simply a higher seat than everybody else. That is a projection of power. Think crossover and why people have left the lower, longer, wider family sedan all together.
In short.
You know they have the Dog Whisperer, well GM, you got to understand the Car Design Whisperer. Every design is a statement and customers prefer in car design just what they prefer in the real world.
Fastlane short.
Silhouette, you make the perfect silhouette, for a family sedan first, like the original Taurus then you make the perfect profit as Ford once did.
What’s the perfect Silhouette you ask? Well you better read this blog again.
jg
The Malibu looks great, but I’m a Buick guy.
Buick needs a coupe/convertible and a small sedan!
Rick Lupori
Mr. Dean: The Malibu looks great inside and out.
I understand using the 2.4L and 3.6L initially and having 6-speed automatics optional on the 4 and standard on the V6 will make the journalists happy.
The problem is 31 MPG on the 4 and 26 MPG with the V6 is less than expected. Granted the 2008 EPA standards have taken 2-3 MPG from the 2007 ones but I for one still want the 3500 and what should be 30 MPG even with the 2008 standards. With the 6-speed it would probably maintain it’s current class leading 32 MPG.
I know many will criticize the pushrods but if I can get the HP and Torque of a V6 with the same or better MPG than a 4-cylinder that’s what I want.
The 224 HP is close enough to the 3.6L 252 HP for my driving needs, especially when I am getting and extra 4 to 6 MPG.
Hopefully GM will offer an E-85 capable 3500 V6 with 6-speed on an LT package in 2009.
Chevy used to have a slogan “a six for the price of a four”. The 2007 Malibu gave buyers this with high real world MPG. GM really needs to make more of this fact since it has a car with the styling, interior and dynamics to back it up.
Please remember your loyal buyers that like pushrod engines and the MPG they deliver.
I do not get paid to race anyone to the next light or to work and would rather spend my money on better things than gas.
Speaking of pushrods, if you are going to do an SS model put the 5.3L AFM V8 from the Impala in it. It will deliver tremendous power and as a friend with a Monte Carlo SS discovered; 29 MPG is possible at a 75-MPH cruise.
Please tell me that a proper navigation system will be offered - my cousin just bought an Accord because in sales you really need to see a map of the area. And a backup camera can easily be added.
I would like to see a true Wagon version to replace the MAXX. I liked the utility and rear seats of the MAXX, but the styling….
Someone at GM actually thought this was better than a wagon?
You could make the wagon along the lines of the Outback and retain the sporty front styling with a great deal of utility with AWD.
I thought I read somewhere that there will be a true two-mode hybrid like the Tahoe, hopefully this is true.
Don’t mean to criticize too much because the Malibu as it is will be competitive, but the new Accord is just around the corner. The competition is not sitting still.
Phil
Good car. Now here’s the volume srategy for all Chevies, Pontiacs, and Buicks:
For FLEET they just need to use a different front and rear fascia, rims and upholstery for fleet cars, plus put on a FLEET BADGE, so it’s prohibitive for seedy dealers to try to retrofit them for resale when they buy program cars.
That way all the low resale falls to the ‘F’ trim line
while the others gain AN ADDITIONAL 8 POINTS OF RESALE VALUE!
NOW YOU CAN BUILD AS MANY FLEET CARS AS YOU WANT!
DON’T BEBATE IT! DO IT!
A couple thousand fleet Saturns, Cadillacs, Saabs. That’s it.
Phil
This Malibu needs the steering wheel design from the Australian/Middle Eastern
Commodore/Chevy Lumina!
Please use that wheel design to differentiate This Malibu and all Chevy cars more widely from the Aura and other
GM brands!
Phil
on top of keeping the pricing structure WHERE IT IS and ELIMINATING THE REBATES and SEPERATING THE FLEET MODEL’S APPEAREANCE in order to get more profit per car,
THE NEXT REAR-DRIVE IMPALA NEEDS TO KEEP IT’S PRICING STRUCTURE and SEPERATE THE FLEET MODEL, so that the one-two punch stops import buyers in their tracks, and the PRESS WILL GO BANANAS ABOUT THE VALUE BUILT INTO THIS CAR!
And to make it easy to afford an AWD MODEL, WHICH IS NEEDED FOR ALL OF US IN THE TOP HALF OF THIS COUNTRY WHO KNOW TRACTION CONTROL IN A REAR-DRIVE VEHICLE CANNOT EQUAL FRONT-DRIVE TRACTION ON SNOW and ICE!!!
Do you see the difference in volume between Chrysler’s rear-drive sedans and your current Impala? Do you see the difference from Camry and Accord??? That’s the reason why, and the reason why your AWD package must be VERY AFFORDABLE, like that of the Ford Fusion.
DON’T DEBATE IT. DO IT!!
Jeff
Good looking car. I think you should have dumped the Malibu name however. I am still attempting to erase the bad memories of my 99 Malibu that was horrible maintenance nightmare. I think I am not alone. I hope this vehicle was also designed with rock solid relability that will give it a 200,000 mile life. Keep going.
Rob
I am very sorry Clay. I have seen some of the sheetmetal from
the Middle East. Most notibley some of the Chevys sold in the middle east.. It hurts but this car no longer does it for me.
ÈòÆ
I think it accord with popular taste.
Gereon Langlitz (Germany)
Maybe there has to be used a new term for GM. “Auto Coture” (derived from Haute Coture).
When I recall the recent new-entries: The 2008 Cadillac CTS, Chevy Silverado, Saturn Aura and Sky, Pontiac Solstice, Holden Commodore/Calais/Statesman, Opel Corsa, Opel Astra TwinTop, and now the Chevy Malibu. Not to forget those great Concepts, Chevy Camaro and Volt. Just to name those examples. New Year’s Eve is over, but the fireworks at GM continues.
It simply became evident, what an amazing potential is behind the GM-design-teams. Go on and let your ideas become reality. Thank you, Mr. Lutz, for leading the way.
m.pereira
I hope it has the reqd safetty features and overhead cam engines .
I own a buick lacross (allure).
It is a nice car reliable , good value for money -my beefs are:
1 primitive gas guzzling push rod engine
2. I had to custom order it -this is a 2005 model -to get the safety features I wanted.By the 2006 year these became std.
I was looking for second car which would be more economical as well and could not find one at chev and pontiac buick dealers (along with the safety features I wanted) and ended up buying from a japanese competitor.
My comments -can the noisy and gas guzzling push rod engines. Have the safety features -side air bags and curtains as standard or an easy option where dealers would order them and have them on the lots.
E. L.
Bob,
The Wall Street Journal says you guys are worried about the HHR’s sales and are ready to plunk down incentives on the thing.
No, no, no!
You guys have not learned.
Style will sell initially, but image will keep style going!
The HHR is one spunky-looking car. Where is it on the hot rod circuit? Where is it on the customization circuit?
Instead of “blinging” out the Lucerne at SEMA, you all should have been modding the HHR.
Use that incentive money you are going to spend and do this:
1. Increase the fuel economy substantially. It must compare with the FIT etc on some levels.
Lighten it up or something.
Give it even more pep at the same time too.
2. Fix the interior.
The interior does not go with the radical exterior. It has no character inside and looks cheap.
Time to change that.
Give us LED lighting and more storage or something
3. Market it to a young crowd.
It should be selling tot he Scion and Element crowd (many are boomers, but the image is hip).
I have not seen one ad for the HHR in this regard.
No incentives, Bob. None at all.
–E.L.
P.S. This thing should be a hit in college. You should be marketing it alongside the Aveo.
Add optional sound and accessories.
Paul Eccles
Nice job with the Malibu. I was suprosed the 3.5L V6 wasn’t offered. Seems like a big power gap between the 2.4L and 3.6L. Offering a DI 2.4L 4 cylinder would close the gap a little and provide some more mpg. Good to see you are starting to mate the 6 speed automatic to the 2.4L even if, for nwo, it is only on the highest trim model, LTZ.
gtjeff
How about putting the Chevy Volt front grill on this car instead, it is much more appealing to the eye.
Second, how about a Malibu coupe? The Beretta was cancelled in 1996 with no replacement in the lineup.
Chevy, being GM’s volume leader, should have a coupe in this segment. No wonder GM’s market share has dropped, considering how many other segments have been abandoned in favor of all out truck and suv production.
Tony R
The Saab 9-3 concept just blew me away. I was not expecting that…
So I “ran” (ok clicked) right over here to see what Bob has to say about it.
…
*Crickets*
Nothing Bob?!? What the heck?!?! Where is the Saab love Bob??
Make that concept and put me on the waiting list please!!
sheth
m.pereria,
The Malibu only has DOHC engines and 6 airbags are standard, perhaps you should actually read the specs before complaining.
Also, modern OHV engines are unrefined or inefficient. The 3800 and 3.5L OHV V6s get around 30mpg on the higway which is on par with the OHC V6’s in the Fusion, Sonata, Aura and Accord. City mileage is within 2mpg of competing OHC V6s of much smaller displacement. If you want better mileage than you need to look at a 4 cylinder model.
Bwright
John,
Great post to Paul. I agree 100%. Wish he would just go buy a government subsidized Pious (sorry, Prius) so he can discover for himself what Consumer Reports found out the hard way, to wit that in the real world the car is down 40% off its 55 mpg EPA ratings.
No wonder Toyota is panicked that the EPA is redoing the test cycle for 2008. The hybrid’s true mileage is about to be exposed for the sham it is. Toyota is also making sure their fuel-swilling new Tundra pickup is 2007 only as they likely cannot face the 2008 rules under CAFE without credits for their massive new pickup truck.
Paul
I already live in a small city (Lancaster, PA). And while I don’t take public transportation as much as I should, I do walk to work and I ride my 60+ mpg scooter whenever possible, which is kind of hard in the middle of January. (Though recent weather has made it significantly easier.)
I currently own a Pontiac Vibe GT, my wife’s car, and a Mazda Protege, which basically sits around for two weeks waiting to be moved to avoid a parking ticket. I can’t really sell it until I know what my job situation is going to be for a little while.
And I’m looking for jobs that minimize my impact. Ones that are a short commute, are on bus routes, that I can take the train to, or that allow me to telecommute are given more consideration from me.
Not to mention that I buy as much food locally as possible, minimizing shipping costs, have a programmable thermostat that I keep set at 68 in the winter when we’re home, and have compact-flourescent lightbulbs in every fixture in my house. I’m doing a lot more than almost everyone I know to curb my emissions.
Believe me, I’d LOVE to live a car-free life. However, there are still situations where the car is the only way to get things done. That’s why I want the car I want: To minimize the impact the vehicle will have on the environment and maximize its utility. A hybrid, diesel, or hybrid-diesel Astra wagon would be the perfect car for me. The perfect car that’s available now would be a Golf or Jetta Wagon TDI, or a used Insight.
I’m not attached to cars. I realize, like my dad did when he bought me a car when I turned sixteen, that it’s nearly impossible to live outside of a major city without a personal vehicle. And living inside a major city is, currently, cost prohibitive for me, not to mention would involve uprooting my wife from her graduate program and leaving our friends.
There may come a time when it’s possible to live a relatively normal life outside an urban center in the United States without owning a car. Until then, I’m going to buy and ask for the cars that fit my budget and minimize my environmental impact.
Finally, I’m not the only person I know who shares my opinions about the kind of cars I’d like to see automakers produce. However, I am the only one I know who’s gone to the trouble of communicating these things to GM directly. Just like noel park said recently, corporations know that for every person who bothers to write a letter, there are thousands more who feel the same way. I’m helping to present the “treehugger” point of view to GM in the hopes that they hear me.
Keith
I would like to second Rick Lupori’s comments:
“The problem is 31 MPG on the 4 and 26 MPG with the V6 is less than expected. Granted the 2008 EPA standards have taken 2-3 MPG from the 2007 ones but I for one still want the 3500 and what should be 30 MPG even with the 2008 standards. With the 6-speed it would probably maintain it’s current class leading 32 MPG.”
I think you had the right tack in the 2007 Malibu, going for three engine trims. Many people will be satisfied with ~200ft-lb, but will want class-leading mpg. The 3500 with AFM would be an excellent “starter V6″ for the Malibu/G6/Aura.
Oh, and some of us will pay more for a manual six to go with it.
Also, why did you decide to keep AFM out of some 3900’s?? The AFM would probably allow the 07 G6 GT with the 6spd/3900 to get over 30 Hwy.
Rick Lupori
m.pereira : Why didn’t you order your Allure with the 3.6L Overhead Cam engine?
You are the only person in the over 300 I know that has gotten bad MPG from a 3800; the lowest I have seen was 27.5 MPG with a high of 32 MPG.
Did you look at a 2006 Impala? It has standard curtain airbags and optional side impact ones and the 3500 V6 delivers 30 to 35 MPG. It was the third best selling car in Dec. 2006 and the fourth best seller for 2006. It will no doubt be a solid number 3 in 2007. It is hands down the best value for the money out there. No car gives you more room and V6 MPG for the money.
The term “primitive” does not apply to an engine that can propel a family car with more than adequate performance and deliver better MPG than you can get in an overhead cam V6 and more than some 4-cylinders.
The 1987 GNX stands as the fastest accelerating family sedan ever made - even in 2007. This was accomplished with this same basic engine (except for the Turbo) with 20-year-old technology.
I suggest you “chip” your 3800 and install a low restriction exhaust and intake and you will be stunned at the performance and MPG gains.
A great design is one that uses the minimum amount of hardware to deliver the required performance. A well designed pushrod engine like the 3500, 3800 or small block V8 do this. A family car that spends 80% of its life below 2500 RPM gains little from an overhead cam design.
The 60 degree 3500 V6 is very compact and will fit the same space as some 4-cylinders, and is lighter than some. It also delivers better real world MPG in cars over 3,000 pounds than many 4-cylinders.
It will always be lighter and less expensive to make (fewer parts) and GM has added variable valve timing, AFM and E-85 capability to the 3500 and V8.
You can get 30 MPG in a Corvette that uses the same engine architecture that has dominated LeMans in its class for the past few years.
It is more reliable than the 3,500,000 overhead cam Toyota engines that have blown up or soon will because of sludge buildup.
Overhead cam engines are fine for vehicles that will utilize their high RPM power and GM offers an excellent 3.6L V6. Next year a 300 HP direct injected version will be available on the CTS with a 6-speed transmission (manual and auto).
I do think it is smart that GM offer the 3.6L in the Malibu, G6, Aura and LaCrosse for those who must have it. But they need to look at the fantastic sales of the Impala (all pushrod engines) and understand that high MPG is VERY important in a family caras is E-85 capability.
GM should put the 3500 V6 into the HHR. An HHR with a V6 will increase sales and get the same 30-35 MPG of the Impala. Add the 6-speed auto and it may hit 38 MPG. Chrysler will put a V6 into the next PT Cruiser, let’s see if GM can beat them to it.
The 3500 V6 would also be a segment exclusive in the Cobalt and upcoming Astra.
johnnycosmo
I think this is a great looking car. Congratulations BMW!
kurtW
The new Malibu is a nice looking sedan! Will check it out once it is available to drive!
A pity, though, that the flexible Maxx variant is dead for ‘08 , especially that hatchbacks are making a comback. All the Maxx needed to compete with Euro designs were the improvements the new sedan-only Malibu got.
not so fast
People are buying hondas and toyota not because of the styling, but because of the reliability. If you want to kill the market you have to improve the reliability. All of GM’s problems can be summed in the pages of consumer reports. You’ll know you are there when you get all red circles for 8 years in a row.
How about a fastback/hatchback version? Problem with sedans is you can’t get anything in the trunk!
Gerry
The new Malibu looks solid inside & out. The cabin shots were very nice. My grandparents own a current Malibu LT with a V-6. It has been a reliable car, even though the interior leaves a lot to be desired. I look forward to seeing the Malibu go head-to-head with the next Corolla.
noel park
Thank you Paul, 1/10/07, 4:45 PM.
I have been trying to send the same message, although nowhere near as eloquently as you.
This is about a lot more than who gets labeled a “tree hugger”. It is where the market is going in the very near future, and those who ignore it will go by the wayside.
Clearly, GM is beginning to get the message, or they wouldn’t be fooling around with projects like the Volt
Those of us who hope that GM survives can only hope that they actually do this stuff, and sooner rather than later.
Patrick
With all due respect, Sheth, I think you’re unduly harsh on GM’s OHV engines. The 3800 V6 in our 2004 Impala is a great engine. It’s smooth, it consistently achieves 30+mpg on the freeway and it has no problem moving our full-size car around. The 3800 rarely needs to see the upper end of its power band, so why would GM need the extra expense of a high-revving, smaller OHC engine? When you have a proven engine that’s worked well for years, has great reliability, smoothness and fuel economy, what else is there? As the old saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
John
Toyota has awoken a sleeping giant.
Congrats GM !
Chris
…as long as GM doesn’t hit the snooze button.
John in Buffalo
John
(Well, make that a More American Avalon, given that the Toyota Avalon is built in Kentucky.)
This could be a big one for GM! Just price it right and get the bugs worked out before it gets to the dealer!>>
Avalon? Looks more like it’s sibiling - the Saturn Aura.
John in Buffalo
Ron Beasley
Better than the old Malibu but not good enough to beat the the likes of Nissan Altima or Toyota Camry. 2008 Malibu just does not have that kind of style. Sales figures will tell the truth.
Look hard at the Altima and you will see a car Americans will go for.
Thillam
Great looking sheetmetal, but why the 1995 headlights? Look at Nissan, Mazda and Opel for your headlight design inspiration, because I’m not feeling these Cobalt-like headlamps.
J.Crew
I have been to the show and have seen all of your products. The Malibu can now compete with the best cars in the segment. I would have never said that about the previous generation car. People have to see this car in person to understand what I am saying. I actually snapped a photo of the car at the show because I thought it looked so good. I don’t think I have ever snapped a photo of a GM midsize car in my life - I am 29!! BTW - Looks like the new Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring will flood the rental markets across the country… This means you can stick to retail sales which will keep your residual values high! I see a win/win!
Buick Diesel
Patrick,
Prior to my Dad’s experience with the 3800 in his Lucerne, I would have whole-heartedly agreed with your comments praising the 3800 engine.
What a rock-solid engine with decent mpg if there ever was one! I have a ‘99 LeSabre myself.
Now, I don’t know what happened, but my Dad named his ‘07 Lucerne the “Gas Hog” as it averages about 24 mpg.
Compared to his ‘04 LeSabre, he’s not happy with his Lucerne, and he regrets buying it. His Lucerne doesn’t even ride as well as his LeSabre, but it’s quieter.
I’m usually not critical on these blogs, but how is it that the Avalon’s v-6 gets better mpg than the Lucerne’s v6, while generating as much power as the Lucerne’s v8??
I agree the 3800 was not “broken”, but seems to be now.
Ming
I’ve seen some side shots and the headlights look better to me than they did before.
Why is it that the press photos always fail to impress? At some point I hope that you re-evaluate who does your press photos and that Photoshop-type background.
Take some shots outside, or in a studio, but make them real photos, not these flat, fake looking ones.
Edwin
The new Malibu is on cue styling wise. Can’t wait to see the interior.
Eric Planey
To what J Crew said above, there are two trains of thought on selling to the rental fleets.
1) If you do sell the new Malibus to Hertz, Avis, etc, sell the rentals your V-6 version with the nice interior and options. This way Joe Accountant, who drives a Camry at home, and travels alot on business, will be impressed by the new Malibu when he rents.
2) If you have to sell a bargin car to the rentals, build a gazillion of the old generation Malibus, rebadged as Classics or something, and use those! Keep the value alive!!
Joe Gakenheimer
Great Execution! I hope it gets to market soon, it is badly needed.
MIke
I think the car is great, however it needs nav. You’d be surpised the people that pick civics over cobalts only because they can get nav. and nice features (pw,pl,mp3 etc.) without leather. Keep up the great work
EJFX
Great looking Malibu…
It would be cool if GM had more varients of current models…Back in the 1960’s you could get a coupe, sedan, and wagon of nearly every model. I know the markets are different today…but it would mean getting more out of each platform.
Anyway…I think this will be a great car for GM.
Bill
Nice work Clay. The car is a looker. The front fascia is attactive as is the interior. I also like the 6-speed automatic. Now you need to talk to the powertrain engineers about a hybrid engine and active fuel management for the 3.6L V6. It also wouldn’t hurt to lobby Washington for money to support advanced battery research (I’ll write my senator for you). I know the Japanese government feeding Toyota and Honda w/ money for research. I wish the U.S. government would do the same.
m.pereira
Mr Sheth has commented on my comment. My reply -sure the 2008 malibu looks to be a nice car safety features std and more attractive than the 07-however what is at the dealers now is the 2007. If the 2008 had come out earlier, I would have been a buyer -4 cyl version
m.pereira
Patrick
Thanks for your input, Buick Diesel. Between my extended family and friends I’ve known a lot of people who’ve had the 3800 in their cars and your Dad’s unfortunate experience is the first bad one I’ve heard of. Perhaps the Series III, which is used in the Lucerne, isn’t returning the MPG that the Series I and II did. I know the Buick version is rated slightly lower in horses and torque than the Impala’s, so perhaps there’s a connection? 24 mpg sounds quite low and I’d be curious what the dealer and GM have to say about it.
Bill
Nice looking car. We love our 05 Malibu and the proven pushrod engine V6 fuel mileage.
Hopefully you have the muffler hidden now as viewed from a following car.
It will be good too if the highway steering stability is even more improved as it was from the previous (03) Malibu to the 04-07 generation.
Felix
Nice looking car. Does the 2008 Malibu have the electric assisted power steering that is in my 2006 2LT? I have been driving GM cars for 57 years and this is the first time that I have been afraid to drive over 60 mph on highways. The steering feel is good at lower speeds and on winding or curving roads, but on basically straight roads, driving over 60 mph for more than about a half mile it feels as if the front wheels are on ice. Never had that with hydraulic assisted power steering. Just plain scary.
Chuck Farina
Are there plans for a wagon on the same platform. There was a Malibu Maxx! Why has the wagon been abandoned? I’m sick of driving SUV’s for business and would like a sleek wagon to haul my files and equipment around in.
Chuckster
The 2008 Malibu is a very nice car…and that’s the first time I’ve thought that about a Malibu in a long time. I’m waiting to buy it when it finally gets to the street.
A couple of comments for improving the design. It’s too late for 2008, but for the next iteration, revise the two port grille and the real fascia to improve appearance.
The lower port of the grille is too large, and the upper port is too high in the fascia. Lower the center bar about 1 inch to 1.25 inch, and lower the top of the upper port about the same amount. This will balance the size of the grille ports and lower the grille slightly in the fascia…nicer, balanced look IMO.
The rear fascia/tailights would look better with the current Malibu or Aura design than trying to introduce old Corvette/Volkswagen Jetta themes. I have a C6 Corvette…rather have my Malibu looking like a Malibu and not a C3 knockoff.
I really like the rear roofline compared to Aura, the sister ship…very nice job. That black filler in the rear door of the Aura has me waiting for the Malibu. I also like 3.6L DOHC engine and the six speed auto…I’d have to buy the Aura XR to get that.
Congrats on the car…build it, keep the price down, and they will come.
Jeff
I’ve see a few comments and I’d like to add a few of my own. The reason GM is moving away from OHC engines is the perception that they are rough and out of date. I disagree but read consumer reports and look at the gripes about rough harsh engines. Say what you will but the 3.6 High Value engine and 6 speed transmission are about as good as they get in the industry. I am assuming that Toyota is getting their MPG by using their version of displacement on demand. The reason you don’t see GM prusuing rental and fleet business the same way is that it depresses resale value and you get very slim revenue from large fleet sales. Now I am not sure how GM will respond to the fleet markets and I am sure they are not going to talk about it in a public forum. I am certain that they are turning things around and that the 2008 Malibu is part and parcel of that turn around. I simply hope we are listing carefully to the feedback we get from the Saturn Aura, where a very few things are picked on. The lack of a truck handle, rear passenger arm rests and a few interior pieces that need to be rethought. When you think that this is all that these auto critics can come up with you know how close we are to having a commanding car in the midsized segement.
Chevrolet truck blog
nice
TRS
Glad to hear you are going to offer leather seating with the four cylinder engine. This really annoyed me on the Pontiac G4 and led me to buy a Honda Accord which does.
Fud
The ‘08 Malibu looks great! I just can’t believe they won’t offer it in BLACK !!!!! Stupid, Stupid, Stupid!!!
Chrysler 300 did the same thing with their “Dirty Black” color. I won’t buy one if it’s not BLACK!!!
bill
beautiful body for another four door let have a coupe
Vince Stanford
This sounds like a further improvement in the already good GM epsilon platform lineup. I am very happy with my G6 GT that performs well and I get 25 mpg in my around time commute, and never needs repairs. But GM will sell me a new Malibu or Aura the day they get the plug-in two mode hybrid. Ten mile plug-in hybrid technology would get me eighty or ninety percent off of liquid fuel. It can’t come soon enough.
Brendt
Looks like a another cheaply built vehicle that GM will try to push through four different sales channels. Just drill some holes in the front fenders and put Tiger Woods next to it, you’ve got a Buick. This car will only sell to rental agencies and redneck brand loyalists. It is only destined to fill the thrifty used lot.
Wild Bill
I just bought the new 2008 Malibu LTZ in Black granite metallic. Yes it comes in black and the metallic looks very classy. The 3.6 v6 is smoking hooked up with the 6 speed auto. I’ve owned Porches and while this may not be a Porche, it is one of my favorites none the less. This car may be a sedan, but it will hold its own in the performance category and is very well made, especially the drive train which seems to be borrowed from the Cadillac line. This car is not destined to fill Thrify used car lots. Try it you will like it. Nuff said.
George
Our 99 Passat is starting to get old (it’s been a good car). I Checked out the Honda Accord, Malibu, A4, Jetta/Passat. I didn’t get a chance to drive the Malibu. But WOW we were both really really impressed. I’ve owned several GM’s, several VW’s/Audi and finally GM get’s it. VW/Audi has always realized it. Honda sort of get’s it Toyota does not (totally boring cars). You live in your car and I want to feel good when I get in. I felt great when I got in. I’ll be test driving one soon I may wait for the hybrid though.
jOE90
The car looks great, but USATODAY said its a diamond in the rough. It is just not engineered up to the level of either the Camry or Accord.
Scott
I’ve looked, driven, and read about numerous cars in my quest to obtain the best car for my family of four. It is one sweet car. I will proudly drive it! V6. Sunroof. 18″ wheels. Quiet. Good handling. Beautiful interior. Fantastic styling. … and my smile. This is my first GM car. The buzz about the car brought me into the show room… and the drive and its look won us.