From a mechanical perspective, the 2014 Chevy Malibu and Code 130R concept are as dissimilar as cars get: the former is a front-wheel-drive midsize sedan with little sporting intentions (although that 295 lb-ft of torque might beg to differ), while the latter has the hopes of being a lightweight, sporty, fun, and (possibly) affordable rear-wheel-drive satchel of joy for those who love to drive. That much is clear. But the two models do seem to coalesce in the styling department.
For instance, both the Code and the ‘Bu seem to have very similar honey comb-style front grille inserts, and both have a strikingly similar interpretation of the Chevrolet dual port grille design principle, with a single line splitting the grille like a belt with a Chevy Bow Tie as the belt buckle. Heck, it would even seen like the rear tail lamps of both models resemble each other… so, do you see any Code 130R concept in the 2014 Malibu, and is it all part of Chevy’s design language, or is there more here than initially meets the eye?
Talk to us in the comments.
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Comments
I said this in the post about the malibu beating the v6 camaros 0-60! It totally is inspired by the code 130r.
No, the Malibu doesn’t “squint” at you like the ugly 130R. The only thing it really has in common is the split-grille, but so does the 72 Caprice. The shapes are all different, thankfully.
http://www.classic-caronline.com/global/popup.htm?../images2_bkp/28_2.jpg
I don’t see why people think its ugly, I love the look of the 130r
I don’t see the resemblance. If anything, the grill on the Code looks more like the 2013 ‘bu or Cruze.
No, I don’t think the front of new ‘bu looks anything like the Code 130R. To me it looks more like the Cruze front minus the ugly headlights and fog lamp openings.
I do not get it… Is this the new face of Chevy or the Impala? I hope the Impala
The 2014 Malibu is definitely inspired by the 2014 Chevrolet SS. Compare the front ends of the two cars.
It looks more like the Tru140S than the Code140R
Yawn!
I wish Chevy would choose a face as with some in one and other in another I can decide which way they are going.
The Impala and Travers nose may be more difficult to apply to a narrow smaller car. Just less canvas to work with.
Besides the problem with the 140 was not so much the nose but from the C pillar back. It had no flow and looked like one guy designed the front and another did the rear.
I dunno, I could go either way. I see SOME resemblance, but I honestly have to squint to see it.
The change on the Malibu is only the grill, everything else is the same. I don’t think that just changing that part makes it inspired by the Code130r.
The Upper part of the grill (extended hood) is inspired from Impala. The lower grill is somewhat the shape of the one on the SS. (Bowtie on the crossbar however).
In some angle it does look like a sonic though
If GM can afford to change the styling of a car that has only been on the market for one year, then surely they can afford to bring back a model or two under the Pontiac name. An all new division need not be created. Buick/GMC dealers would simply have another model or two to sell, and perhaps attract some younger buyers to consider GM.