Sources Say: 2014 Chevy Malibu Undergoing Pre-Production At Detroit-Hamtramck
39
Several sources familiar with General Motors’ manufacturing operations recently let us know that a few pre-production 2014 Chevy Malibus came through the line at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck plant, where the new Malibu is manufactured.
The sources told us that the revised Malibu sported a new front end, a revised center stack, while the dash and instrument panel appeared to be the same. In addition, the 2014 Malibus contained slightly more rear-seat legroom and different engine codes than the 2013 model, along with a rear-end design that was the same as that seen in the 2013 model. While sources weren’t able to provide any photos, they did confirm that the wheelbase of the freshened models remained the same.
The citing of the 2014 Malibus affirms report that the eighth-generation model will receive several upgrades within one year of being on the market, including increased rear-seat legroom, a new front fascia along the lines of the 2014 Impala, a possible addition to the engine range, and all-around tweaks and improvements. We expect to find out the exact details of Chevy’s 2014 Malibu this summer, and believe the front seats will feature deeper seat-back cutouts to allow for more front legroom, even though that may not necessarily be a (real) matter of concern in the marketplace to begin with.
What kinds of changes would you like to see to the 2014 Malibu? Sound off in the comments below.
Google+
Traxx not for US market — same size as the Encore.
Jim.. I think you and your wife should reconsider the small suv idea.. they are high centering (poor handling and will flip over if tboned or curb tripped) and often have less room than a wagon or sedan… also the gas mileage of a small suv is terrible compared to even large sedans. . Did I mention ugly as sin also? And if yu are like me.. the cargo is best stowed in a secure place instead of the same compartment.
I’d like to see the Malibu get all wheel drive as an option and make the titanium leather interior available on the LTZ.
I was a devoted Pontiac customer. So I love sportier effects like molding , sportier rims and a V-6 option. Since Grand Am and G6 are no more. Chevy needs a sportier package. Similar to the rumored Malibu SS pics I saw floating around the Internet.
Never liked the front fascia on the 2013. Can’t wait to see the improved 2014.
@David I personally like the front fascia of the 2013. It’s elegant and has a certain presence… but I’m also looking forward to that of the 2014.
It’s too bubbly for me. I prefer the more sharp, aggressive look of the Fusion
I can see the bubbly part. It would be nice if it were more “streamlined”… the shorter wheelbase/longer overhangs likely have a lot to do with this. That said, the Fusion (to me) is trying too hard; similar to when a girl wears way too much make-up. But to each his own
The Fusion looks too long for me and it also looks like that it looks like it has a short width and it looks very very weird.
Alex, I liked the video done at the auto show. I like you, have thoroughly checked it out . At the Motor Trend show in Las Vegas and also in the local dealers’ showroom. Even put the seat where I would drive it, then got in back. I’m about 5’8″, and there is plenty of room .back there. It’s just we were all spoiled by the ’08-’12 model. I have a 2011 LT and love it. Can’t wait to see the new nose and the other changes on the 2014′s My issues with the 2013 was the fit and finish of the rear doors and fender line, not many lineup good. Also. the front where the hood and lights meet. A lot are uneven instead of smooth. I hope they get rid of the mix and match of chrome and woodgrain too. But it still is a REAL nice car. Just make your interior choices wisely.
@Paul interesting. I haven’t noticed the fit/finish issues you mention. Will need to check it out closely.
Agreed about the odd color combinations of interior trim.
Also, the packages need to be streamlined: there are currently too many trim levels and too many individual options packages.
“Do-over.”
Does anyone else know what the heck Usayjim is talking about… Jim you lost me in your last post…
Apologies yabadabadoo…Alex Luft , perhaps you can remove my last post please , I was just relating one man’s opinion , it related to my first post . …my words runneth over , and over !! In fact remove both comments , everybody has an opinion of the 2013 Malibu and opinions of dealerships , its probably quite boring to one and all . Alex asked for comments on what the 2014 needed . Look , there are amazing cars out there that seem to defy the laws of physics , they are small on the outside , but when you get in , they are spacious/roomy front and back . with good visibility . I just feel good just sitting in them . To me , the 2012 Impala is one so is the Camry , Accord , Fusion , Altima to name a few . It appears that from the firewall forward , the front ends are minimized and with limited bumper and grill overhang of the front wheels . Ford is doing this now with their F150 truck and sloping the hood line . I’m thinking this allows them to push the cabin forward a bit and create a more spacious interior . In cars and trucks this should make for a better handling/manuverable drive and more aerodynamic shape to enhance fuel economy . JC
@usajim You know, all the cars you mentioned (Camry, Accord, Fusion, Altima and Malibu) have similar front overhangs and interior space because the all use transverse-engined FWD-based architectures. Pushing the cabin forward will result in a longer dash (Fusion and even Focus) and a huge windshield, pushing the driver further back into the cabin. Meanwhile, the Altima is even smaller than the Malibu. That’s all to say that if you feel good in those cars, you should feel just as good (if not better) in the new ‘Bu
PS: deleted your first two comments as per request.
A wagon body style and 37 mpg highway without hybrid and I’ll forgive the smaller back seat.
I like the Malibu styling like it is. I think the car looks more expensive than it’s competitors. I’m glad they are not changing the back end, I think that looks grrreat. I got in the back of our 2012 Fusion and it feels very roomy back there. Hard to believe GM screwed this up so badly- I hope someone in management gets fired for it, or it will happen again.
@Michael W Heads don’t need to fly for people to learn
Two improvements that would make the Bu tougher competition: Optional All Wheel Drive and a twin Turbo SS V6.
@GMJoe The new 2.0T propels the 2013 Malibu to 60 MPH faster than the outgoing 3.6 liter, while delivering slightly better fuel economy. The 2.0T also makes peak torque much sooner in its power band. So what’s the need for the six-banger?
“along with a rear-end design that was the same as that seen in the 2013 model”
This is concerning. the only thing at this point they could do to make the rear end less contrived is to make the LTZ style lighting standard across all trims. The base lenses are junk and look like something out of the mid 90′s.
I would like to see Blue Ray Metallic paint on the Malibu.
Bring back a v6 they might sell more
THE REAR
THE DASH,INSTRUMENT CLUSTER
NEED A V6
PANORAMIC SUNROOF
I look forward to the change in the front end. I hope the the Malibu adds an air vent to the rear seat. If they don’t it’s a deal buster.
I really think the front end looked good on the ’13 Malibu. If they do nothing with the ugly rear end, center console and back seat, this model will easily continue to lose sales. When they said it was a “world car”, did they mean third world? Maybe that’s a bit harsh, but they hit a homerun on ’08-’12 Malibu and people expected more. I don’t know if I would want to own a tired little 4 banger engine (esp. the turbo version) after 100,000 miles pushing this heavy car around. 25% drop in Feb. sales over last year. Ouch!!
Ouch indeed, Steve. But styling of the tail lights is subjective; you may not like them, but others (like myself) love them. Either way, let’s stick to the non-subjective stuff.
First, to address the improvement point: since the last-gen Malibu was a huge improvement over the generation before it, it simply didn’t offer much to improve on for the 2013 model. Hence, sales are not down because “people expected more” from the new model. Heck, most people don’t follow these things as closely as we do… and they may not even know what to expect.
And the “four-banger” issue isn’t a problem either, as pretty much all manufacturers are switching to a 4-cylinder-only lineup for their midsize sedans… coincidentally, the ones that aren’t (Nissan, Toyota, Honda) don’t have turbo-charged four-bangers strong- or durable-enough to place in the vehicles. That’s why they’re staying with six cylinder offerings while quietly developing 2.0T mills.
Indeed, the new Malibu isn’t selling slower than the outgoing model due to an all-four-cylinder engine lineup, or due to its styling. Instead, sales are down thanks to critical reviews by most of the media, whether that’s deserved or not is another question. For some reason, it seems that the the media at large was expecting an exponential improvement over the last generation ‘Bu, which — as I explained — isn’t very feasible given that the last-gen model made Chevy’s midsize sedan offering competitive. At this point, it’s all about slow, gradual, and continuous improvements, similar to Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
To add some context to the conversation: Fusion sales were up 25 percent in February (to roughly 27,000 units), while sales of the Toyota Camry segment leader were down 6 percent (to about 31,000 units).
I would like Chevy to bring back the Imperial Blue Ice exterior color that was available a couple of years ago – a darker, more mature blue
And… it would be helpful if the outside rear view mirrors were able to be manually folded, not just power folded – a nice option in a tight garage/parking space – and was available on the LS model of my 2009 Malibu
Nicely styled ( inside and out ) / quality fit & finish, hushed interior , plush ,but, composed on the road , smooth 2.5 cyl. 4 with adequate power….. lower fuel economy compared to most competition ( even with eco model ) , budget rear door panels make one wonder where else quality/content have been compromised ( no spare tire , potato sack cloth seats LT model….). Check out features of Honda Accord – much more car for less money and a long track record of reliability/ durability . GM could benefit from a trusted group of knowledgeable consumers to give them feedback on their products. Automaker would be wise to expedite 8-speed trans. to market.
@steve “Check out features of Honda Accord – much more car for less money”…
2013 Malibu starting price: $21,995
2013 Accord starting price: $21,680
That’s a $315 difference in favor of the Honda… but I think we can agree that the difference is negligible.
Another interesting stat: the ‘Bu has the Accord beat on the high-end:
Accord V6 & Touring: 21/34
Malibu LTZ Turbo: 22/34