Chevrolet hasn’t offered a sporty SS variation of the Malibu mid-size sedan since 2007, but if recent spy shots from The Fast Lane Car are any indication, that might be subject to change. The photos show an eighth-generation Malibu with wheels from the Buick Regal GS, dual exhausts and test equipment, leading to speculation that a performance variant of the car may be under development.
According to TFL Car, when the Malibu prototype drove past their vehicle, they could hear the turbo spool up. This could be indication that the faster Malibu will use a more powerful version of the 259 horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged LTG engine, which already sits under the hood of both Regal GS and Malibu Turbo.
Even though this is all speculation, TFL Car does say the car in question “moves/sounds like a Regal GS,” so we’re assuming it has all-wheel drive, too. For now, it’s a mystery if this is a Malibu SS prototype or not. Chevy spokesman, Michael Albano, did recently tell Car and Driver the brand is looking at “developing variants of existing products that appeal to consumers and build on our performance heritage,” so it may not be too far out of the question.
Comments
This may be a very difficult car to do.
While the Buick Regal is getting great reviews in magazines [note the coming issue of Car and Driver rated it nearly as good as the BMW and better than the Benz] No I am not kidding.
The real issue is to get all the features into the Malibu and not do two things. One not to price it higher than anyone will pay and two not cannibalize any Buick sales.
I would love to see this car but it will not be easy for GM to do.
I really wish Chevy would get a small hatch or coupe in FWD to replace the Cobalt SS. The SS is still very popular and has not been made for a few years now. I have been seeing some nice examples of this car of late and people under 30 love them.
I’d love to see GM take their 2.0 turbo up to 300 hp and 300lbft torque. It’s completely possible, don’t know why they haven’t done it already
Interesting. I like the idea, but as stated by scott it might be a hard fit.
No word of a manual and no requests for one. Speaks volumes.
Well, manuals are slower, less precise, and have a lower take-rate.
I wouldn’t have believed it 15 years ago, but DCT’s are simply better. If a Malibu SS came with one, it would heighten its appeal.
If you think that Manual vs Automatic comes down to just precision you are missing the point. The thing is that, there are still people out there who like to downshift manually when on a twisty road. Or who like the added control in the snow.. Or who don’t live in a super populated area, who like a stick shift. Yes they may not be as good on fuel as the CVT, or as popular with the generally older people who buy these cars, but if GM wants to get into the niche of selling cars to young people, they should start to come out with cars like they did in my fathers generation.. I.E versions with stripped down features, all performance, and a manual transmission.. That would keep costs down, and they might actually sell a few of these to people who don’t have the handicap sticker in the windshield. I was on a list for a G8 GTP with a 6speed stick when GM killed off Pontiac. Think about it.. BMW is the only one left selling a mid-sized car with a stick.. If the Buick Version is truly as nice as a BMW and better then a Benz, it should match the available options so it can actually have a running shot..
Holden VF Torana Redline > Opel Isignia OPC (and Vauxhall, Buick siblings) > Malibu SS
Whoa there, that’s too far, Malibu ss, how about a proper regal gs first.
Well the GS is a much better car than many think. Like I said read about it in the coming Car and Driver and the results of what it beat is surprising.
As for adding all wheel drive and other performance features they all add to the price of the car. As you add a $30,000 car can quickly add up to a $40,000 car just the price the Regal GS sticker is already close too. Would many that love GM here really pay that much for a Malibu let alone a non GM fan? That is what I mean by a difficult fit.
Now keep in mind that this may not even be a SS for 2016 and it could be doing a drivetrain or platform for the next gen car under the present body. Starting with a new platform they could work these performance things in at a better cost in a even better car people would pay more for. The present car is not going to be here much longer so I expect the Mules will be showing up with the older body anytime soon even if it many be here already. Keep in mind the ATS was tested under the old CTS etc.
The 300 HP I expect will be here soon with the next gen of 2.0. The present engine can do it but often that engine was hooked to the old 4 speed transaxle that could not handle the torque.
The new cars with the 6 speed can handle it but none are real performance models and MPG was a priority with good power. At some point GM will have the performance models and the power for them.
Word was GM was wanting to do the GM Turbo Upgrade kits as they did for the Cobalt SS, HHR SS and Solstice/Sky. These are just two Map sensors and a computer flash that will take them to right at 300 HP and 315-340 Ft LBS. I own one of these and I love it. It can get a HHR SS into the high 13 seconds if you can get the tires to hook up. When you take off with a stock Mustang and hang in with them they really are like what have you done to that thing!
You could do this with any present 2.0 by going to a 3 bar maps and getting it tuned on a dyno. It would not be covered under warranty like the GM kit but it is not hard to do. The present 2.0 is good to 400 HP before GM recommends changing the rods and pistons then you can go over 500 HP.
Kit prices paid are $375-500 and not bad for a good power gain that takes about an hour to hour and half.
Forgive my ignorance, but is the Malibu 2.0T related to the 2.0 mill Vauxhall/Opel are developing for the Astra GTC Extreme?. If so then there’s an already developed 2.0 300bhp engine and drive train waiting for new applications!
It is based on the same engine but pretty much we are speaking in terms in North America. They will have that engine over there but we have not been given word we would get it here yet or a different variation.
We never got the V6 Turbo from Opel in the Regal either.
Over here and in Europe the 300+ HP Turbo 4 is becoming a more and more common engine. I expect GM to jump in soon as it will be pretty easy for them to do with the Eco. I would expect Cadillac to lead with a Approximate 350 HP Turbo 4 at some point in the ATS.
Might look for the old stories on the Solstice Drift car Rys Millen drove to the championship. the LNF in the car was at 500 HP. His car was converted to ethanol but used many stock parts. The engine ran a full season with no tear downs.
John Lingenfelter used a 2.2 version of this engine up to 1500 HP in drag racing before he broke the stock heads while using a stock block.
I recommend this book though it is a little dated as it revels how much each part of these little engines will take.
http://www.summitracing.com/oh/parts/nal-88958728/overview/
http://members.shaw.ca/warped00/bcjbody/buildbook.html
I see 23 PSI boost in my daily drive for the last 5 years and still running fine.
The only real issues with the added power is the loss of Premium fuel Recommended rating to Required rating.
It’s the LTG. Here are the specs for North America. We’re still in the process of updating the page with specs from other regions:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/gm/gm-engines/ltg
I hope we get it and more. Time will tell. No matter if it is this engine or not GM will be at and over 300 HP soon.
With the way they are moving more global with the engines I expect we will see this one at some point.
I love this idea! It will be hard to fit in with Buick and Cadillac, but I believe GM could do it. I think the Malibu and Regal should get:
-1.4L Turbo I4 Hybrid (VVT, SIDI, and iVVL) that has 175HP and 190FT-LBS
-1.6L Turbo I4 (VVT, SIDI, and iVVL) that has 215HP and 230FT-LBS
-1.8L Turbo I4 (VVT, SIDI, and iVVL) that has 240HP and 285FT-LBS
-2.0L Turbo I4 (VVT, SIDI, and iVVL) that has 290HP and 320FT-LBS
-8 Speed Manumatic or 6 Speed Manual
LF3 with AWD. This will also work for an impala SS. Don’t be afraid to step on cadillics toes.