What happens when you combine some Photoshopping to add ugly oversized rims and an extreme body kit with a dose of uninformed speculation? The 2013 Malibu SS, of course.
The “artist” who posted this “music video” even states (at 0:53) that the so-called Malibu SS will don “Camaro’s 3.6L Turbo Version” making “347 HP” and then proceeds to ask, “6 Automatic Transmission and All Wheel Drive?!”
Hey, we’re all for rampant speculation about GM’s next moves and shakes, but when said speculation turns into a statement of fact (as it does in this video) and leads to almost 20,000 YouTube views, then it borders on misinformation.
The best part is that the video starts off with the words “Warning Chevrolet Malibu SS”. The first time we watched this, we couldn’t believe our eyes… but upon watching a second time, that’s the part that brought tears to our eyes and minutes (yes, minutes) of laughter.
Comments
OMG make it stop please!
If anything the Regal GS should get all-wheel-drive. The 270hp high-output ECOTEC should be fine for this segment.
I think they need to fire the the ad agency that married this sinister-sounding heavy metal sound track to a Chevy Malibu SS tease. And you only get one static picture of the mockup or Photoshop Malibu SS for most of the video with on-screen specs (or at least a fishing expedition to gauge reaction to the specs) at the end.
If the car actually had that kind of hp and torque, it would have to be AWD to handle it.
Still, I have to question if the Malibu really needs to have an SS variant. It would be like Ford making a Fusion SVT – something generally not desired by buyers of a mid-size family front drive sedan. These are sold to people who want a transportation appliance, not enthusiasts.
Good thing it’s not an official video from Chevy but rather a mock-up from an uninformed enthusiast 🙂
But more to the point… yes, for the most part, front-drive midsizers tend to be transportation appliances (Camry comes sprightly to mind). But it doesn’t mean that they can’t be made engaging to drive or handle well — such as the current-gen Malibu or the Fusion Sport (or even the Altima SE-R). And then we have the Insignia OPC — which takes the appliance and turns it into something entirely different. But that’s definitely not where the market is, unfortunately.
“But that’s definitely not where the market is, unfortunately.”
Exactly. The numbers of buyers who want a hot version of their favourite vanilla mid-sizer are simply too small to chase after.
Yes, the Insignia OPC is a freak example, but I’m under the impression that it was created with the intention of moving Opel upmarket; away from the pedestrian.
Also, consider the image. 380+hp in say a Camry would get attention from the dedicated motorheads….but it’s a Camry. It was never ever suppose to be anything but plain-jane transportation. A hot version of the Camry would destroy that image and posibilly drive away buyers into more “sensible” cars.
Remember, the petroheads among us are a minority. The demands we have, the HP and TQ numbers we want, the drivetrain etc, hardly ever coincide with the majority of the buying public.
We could get cars like the above Malibu SS, but we’d have to pay an awful lot for it, and Chev would pay dearly for ruining what reputation the Malibu nameplate has been lucky to carve out for itself.
Well, yes and no. I think we’ve come to equate midsize mainstream vehicles with vanilla, which is by no means a pre-requisite. Sure, the best-sellers are simple and practical — like the Camry and Accord. But that doesn’t mean that they can’t be capable in their own right. For instance, the Regal and the old Malibu are very capable; so is the Altima SE-R. They’re not necessarily horsepower/torque leaders, but they corner very well and are fun to drive. And in the case of the Altima, it actually has some attitude and some “bite” in the exhaust note.
We also need to remember that the vaunted Commodore is also available in Vanilla flavors that provides plain-jane transportation. It’s only when we begin to see the high-feature V6 and pushrod V8 in it that it becomes “respected” among enthusiasts.
For me, it’s not all about power, though. I’d be more than happy with a tuned 3.6 LFX making somewhere in the vicinity of 320 horsepower in a suped-up Malibu (Z-Spec or SS, whichever). So long as it handles like the last-gen or like the Regal, I’m happy.
Now, I’m aware that only 10 percent (or less) of Malibu customers will opt for this trim level. But at that point, it’s the model that in its own right serves as a halo car and is liked by enthusiasts. No one expects it to make 500+ horsepower — and anyone who does is missing the point.
Wait isn’t there’s a report saying that theres going to be a high performance version of the fusion??
Not that I know of… is there?
I saw before there is going to be but im not sure… btw if you guys wanna update the Enclave news, here’s the article of the spyshot http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2011/12/spy-photos-2014-buick-enclave.html.
It doesnt look that bad…..
The new Malibu looks good, but for a car like that leave the SS stuff to the aftermarket. You know SLP & guys like that!
Yeah but few would take a hacked-up aftermarket product over one directly from the factory.
No, more like the factory certified (dealer option) Camaro’s & Mustangs by SLP & Saleen back in the 90’s
David, how do you mean “no”?
Do you have actual market research or data to back that? I don’t, personally. But I’ve spent the last few years of my life in the automotive retail world and I will tell you that very few people opt for aftermarket performance units like those offered by SLP and Roush.
It doesn’t matter about the voiding or not voiding the warranty. It’s the perception (whether true or false) that the manufacturer knows better.
Just meant no to the “hacked up” comment that’s all.
It doesn’t make much sens… a 3.6 turbo would produce much more than 347hp. I don’t know there’s just something wrong with all of this considering GM’s direction
There’s nothing real about this video — it’s a fake — as you can tell by the several paragraphs of text preceding it…
A boosted 3.6 would easily make 380-420 horses and a similar amount of torque, adding to the fake nature of this video. 🙂