Colored In And Rendered: 2012 Chevrolet Malibu

by Alex Luft
Mar 20th, 2010

Just a few days ago, we brought you GM’s filings to the US Patent & Trademark Office of what looks to be the 2012 (next-gen) Chevrolet Malibu. From there, GM Authority’s own rendering extraordinaire Hakim Givens took it upon himself to color in the details; what you see above are the results!

Looking at this real-life photo reassures our earlier thoughts that Chevy’s upcoming revision of the Malibu will be very much reminiscent of Ford’s Fusion sedan, with an upright profile and longer overhangs.

But are we the only ones who find the front fascia extremely similar to that of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class? We have all of the patent filings after the break!

2012 Malibu USPTO Filings

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More about: Chevrolet, Design, Featured, GMA Special, Malibu, Model, Rendering

7 ResponsesLeave a comment

Toronto Malibu
July 21, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Reply

So excited for the 2012 Malibu!
- Alex Luft
  July 21, 2010 at 7:56 pm
  Reply
  
  Same here! Only a year left until it’s on the market and even less than that until it’s unveiled!
- João Alves Martins
  May 1, 2011 at 9:44 am
  Reply
  
  Caro amigo, só fique atento se a GM irá corrigir a questão do barulho apresentado na suspensão dianteira, pois quando se trafega em pista com defeito, parece que está andando num calhaMbeque.
  - Alex Luft
    May 2, 2011 at 2:30 am
    Reply
    
    Hi there — while I don’t speak Portuguese, I did run your comment through Google Translate — and here’s what it returned:
    
    “Dear friend, just watch out if GM will fix the issue of noise presented in front suspension, because when it travels on a track defect, it seems that is walking in a jalopy.”
    
    My question to you is what year Malibu you’re referring to… I have driven many 7th generation Malibus in the last few years and haven’t experienced the same problem you’re describing here.
    
    Let me know — if you can, by using Google Translate to post your comments in English
    
    Alex
    Founder, GM Authority
Orbit9090
July 23, 2010 at 8:09 am
Reply

The 2012 Malibu uses the same 107.8 inch wheelbase as the 2011 Buick Regal. This makes perfect sense and will make for a great handling sedan.

Hopefully, the next Impala will feature the Buick LaCrosse’s 111.7 inch wheelbase (and FWD).
- Alex Luft
  July 23, 2010 at 12:13 pm
  Reply
  
  Are you sure about that? From what we’ve heard so far, the 2012 Malibu is rumored to ride on a shorter-wheelbase Epsilon II than the Regal. But those are just rumors – so take them as you will.
  
  However, I completely agree with you about the next-gen Impala. It should definitely use the stretched Epsilon II platform used by the LaCrosse.
  
  Do you think it will be longer than the LaCrosse, though? If you look at its closest competitors (Avalon, Azera, Taurus), they are all 200 inches long or more, but the LaCrosse is about 197. Three inches may not be that much on paper, but it makes a difference when it comes to leg room, etc. Right?
João Alves Martins
May 1, 2011 at 9:19 am
Reply

Quanto a dirigibilidade do carro em relação distância entre eixos, para mim não faz diferença, o que venho registrar aqui, é minha insatisfação com o barulho na suspensão dianteira quando se trafega em pista irregular, é muito desagradável para um carro desse porte e perfil de público que tem acesso, e como agravante a montadora não tem dado respostas aos chamados feitos pelo 0800, fornecem o numero de protocolo e não cumprem com o compromisso de dar o retorno prometido, mostrando um verdadeiro descaso ao consumidor