Folks, GM has gone on and released the first official photos of the 2013 Chevy Malibu ahead of its official unveiling at Shangai and New York Auto Shows next week.
While the photo (or rendering) above — in LTZ trim — was the only shot of the exterior, it still reveals plenty of the all-new mid sizer — and boy is it a beauty. The latest embodiment of Chevy’s twin-port grille is present and accounted for, as are swept-back multi-element headlamps, broad shoulders, and a slightly rising beltline as one gets to the rear of the vehicle. Other items of interest include the turn signal indicators embedded in the wing mirrors along with the metal trim surrounding the greenhouse.
And since GM has already teased us with a somewhat disguised shot of the rear, we already know that it will sport a set of two lights similar to those found on the fifth-generation Camaro, which itself will receive a few upgrades for the 2012 model year.
The General also released a single interior image of the 2013 ‘Bu — and it looks like it will sport a fold-up touchscreen (powered by Chevrolet MyLink) with a storage compartment behind it.
The GM Authority Take
This. Car. Is. Gorgeous.
And we can’t commend Chevy enough on a job well done in creating a significant amount of buzz for the new ‘Bu. From the use of social media, teaser images, and spy videos, this is one of the best unveiling efforts in auto history.
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Comments
I like the design overall, but not too sure about the overly enhanced mesh grill. Make the front end look borderline busy.
But could just be the photography technique used.
It does look like we did see the front end in the “May The Best Car Win” commercial.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5143/5619159532_7d7e19684b_z.jpg
I do lovethe the hidden compartment behind the GPS/Informat screen
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/malibu-infotainment.jpg
Though I think the Orlando’s is designed better. The release button is more “integrated” with the rest of the buttons. Where as in the Malibu, the button almost screams – Hidden Compartment Here!
http://www.uk.chevroletorlando.eu/images/interior/chevrolet_orlando_lt_int_17a_rhd_800x600.jpg
It still looks like a chevy, BLAND! GM needs to bring back Pontiac.
And do what — create an inferior and bland Malibu platform-mate called the G6? Now, I agree that there is a definite market for a brand such as Pontiac to go against Dodge (and most recently Kia) to cater to the sporty, youthful, and driver-oriented buyer. But what Pontiac was over the last decade, especially the G6/G5/G3/Torren, ain’t it. The new Kia Optima and new Hyundai Sonata as well as the Chrysle 300 and Dodge Charger are more like it when it comes to platform/powertrain sharing and creating completely different vehicles.
Hey… don’t hate the G6.
Not hating on the G6 as much as the idea of a G6, G5, G3, and Torrent being Pontiacs. That brand should have been what Dodge/Kia are becoming today – sporty, youthful, originally-styled, and full of quality. Instead, Pontiacs were rebadged (with very minor differences) Chevys and Daewoos. So how can I not hate it? It’s old GM… at its worst!
One word: DROOL
Finally, GM gets it right in the styling department. The interior is incredibly nice looking, probably GM’s best ever. It’s stylish, modern, and you can see echos of styling cues from GM’s classic cars of the Fifties, Sixties, and Seventies, but they’re not in your face like they were with some earlier GM cars that tried to capture a retro look and feel – and failed miserably.
GM is going to sell a boatload of 2013 Malibus.