We already knew that the styling of the 2013 Chevy Malibu was largely inspired by the fifth-generation Camaro; heck, one would be blind not to see Camaro styling cues in the new Bu’s tail lamps and hips. But this photo of the gauges and instrumentation layout speaks for itself.
Now, if we could get our hands on a photo taken from a similar angle of a 2012 Camaro — which features a revised font in the speedometer and tachometer, as well as a new steering wheel, the resemblance would be even more apparent.
Hat tip to Tim K. for the pic.
Comments
This is the one thing that bothered me about the Camaro. It could be that I just like the wheel a little lower relative to my height, but it seems for me that a considerable amount of the gauges get blocked out by the wheel. I would prefer a digital speedometer (something I’m quite comfortable with in my MINI) surrounded by an analog tach. No need for a mechanical tach if the backlighting is bright enough. It would be centered (essentially one gauge instead of two spit apart). Those who complain about digital speedometers are probably driving cars that don’t hold speed well. That’s another thing I like about the MINI. The cruise control is really very good compared to what I’ve had on GM cars. Very tight speed control.
Otherwise, I think the Camaro is a spectacular car. I don’t have the sales numbers, but in my area I see more of the Camaro than I do the Cruze. If they made a smaller version with an identical design I would even consider buying one — if I ever no longer need a roof rack.
That “gauge blockage” (wording?) is common in most cars that have the side-by-side speedo and tach… I like the wheel a bit lower as well, causing the blocking of the dials in the Cruze, Malibu, Camaro, Equinox, and non-GM products like the Focus and Mustang. One of the vehicles it doesn’t happen in, though, is the Sonic — since it has a more narrow setup.
PS: I’ve found the cruise to be excellent on the later-generation GM products like the Cruze, Equinox, and Camaro. Haven’t really enabled it on the other models, but I’d imagine it to work the same way.
Right there with you on the size thing. The Camaro’s large size contributes to superb stability at high speeds (and on the track) but man is all that size really unnecessary.
I am wearing my reading glasses I don’t see any photo. Just a tiny blue box with a ? in the box. I taped the box nothing. Any one with an iPad see the photos.
Hmmm. Could you try reloading the page mate?
Ok after I sent last message the photos poped up.
I still think that clusters setup looks funny. I am so use to a cluster setup that seems like its flowing together and not separated like these two. Maybe it would grow on me if I had one of these cars. 🙂
This is the type of instrument cluster I would like to see.
http://cars.about.com/od/honda/ig/2011-Honda-CR-Z-photo-gallery/2011-Honda-CR-Z-instrument-pnl.htm
I also like the Civic’s, with the digital speedometer in a sight line just above the wheel. It’s much easier to keep the eyes on the road. With the CR-Z design the tach and speed can be had with the same glance rather than having to pan from side to side. Why can’t GM come up with innovation like this? I thought the Sonic’s design was a step forward, but they needed to dress it up a bit more and use real gauges rather than indicator lights. How about some chrome? My guess is that, with the complaints online about the Sonic’s cluster, GM will revert back to ultra-conservatism, which is what we are seeing here. The Camaro is a popular car, so let’s take a piece of it (which therefore must be good) and duplicate it for a car we need to sell (Malibu).
how about a heads up display i’m gonna put an aftermarket one in my pickup or illjust get one from a corvette. side note can you buy a replacment HUD for the ‘vette from a gm dealer or is that not gonna happen??
Don’t forget the windshield for a HUD. If you use a regular windshield if will be out of focus.
i would get a service manual from the car you want the component from. has wiring diagrams, part numbers, special wiring between body computer and ecm…. And i want a night vision HUD from a cadillac.
If i HAD a camaro i would research into switching in the 2013 Malibu cluster. It is much easier to read and looks nicer. And the best speed control is on a 2000 chevy 1500 with 4.3 v8. it barely drops a 1/2 mph at 65 goin up hills.
That’s because the 4.3 isn’t even a V8.
Not in the trucks, but it is a v8 in the 94-96 Caprice
This is why you pay $40k for 400+ hp. Doesn’t really matter.
And for the record, I’ve no problem with the gauges on the 2012 and up Camaro. Slight improvement in font/type over the 2011 and 2010s, but the traditional left-right setup works fine for me…