Chevrolet realized rather quickly the current eighth-generation Malibu wasn’t cutting it with many consumers. After just three years on the market, the model is set to be replaced with an all-new model — the 2016 Malibu, which Chevrolet has begun teasing ahead of its debut at the New York International Auto Show on April 1st.
In penning the 2016 Malibu, designers used a “blank slate” approach, according to Chevrolet. What’s more, the E2XX platform set to underpin the next-gen Malibu is nearly four inches longer than the Epsilon II platform employed in the current model, which not only allows for increased rear legroom and interior space, addressing the biggest complaints about the current model, but the longer wheelbase also changes the proportions, resulting in a dramatically different design.
Based on the teaser image provided by Chevrolet, the 2016 Malibu appears to have a sleek fastback-style shape somewhat reminiscent of the Audi A7. In spy shots, next-gen Malibu prototypes also appear to be wider and lower than the current car, further lending to the sedan’s sportier look.
“Malibu’s gorgeous styling is the result of a masterful understanding of proportions,” said Ed Welburn, vice president of Global Design at General Motors. “The roofline has been stretched rearward giving a more sleek profile, while the front wheels have moved forward and front and rear overhangs have been reduced. Along with the sculpted body side, these cues help Malibu appear more dynamic and sophisticated.”
Chevrolet also said the new Malibu is designed to deliver “more efficiency, connectivity and advanced safety features than ever.” What’s more, the E2XX platform will help shave 300 pounds (136 kg) over the outgoing model, helping to increase fuel economy, performance and handling.
Chevy has vowed to provide more new details on the car every single week leading up to the big reveal, so stay tuned as the NYIAS debut of the 2016 Malibu approaches. What would you like to know next?
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looks great from the outline. cant wait to see more!
Front fascia looks to be a good mix of the current Impala and 2016 Volt
I think there's another better teaser pic that contains better shapes of the 5 New cars coming
I was eagerly awaiting the NYIAS to fully see the new Omega based CT6 but now even more so to see the new Malibu. It can't come soon enough. The current one is getting run on by just about every other significant midsizer, including the Chrysler 200 (yikes).
The previous generation took 2 steps forward in terms of relevance and respectability and this current generation has taken 3 steps back.
I'd like to know engine choices. Silhouette looks good so far, it resembles a coup. Though if you look carefully, you can see a seam for the rear doors near the C pillar.
It resembles the Camaro, not just in the small peak we see if the front and rear Fascia but also in the way it goes from hood to cabin to rear deck lid. There's no other way to say this, but this car is simply beautiful, the only car I can compare it to us the Mazda 6
Looks good so far, but I know GM will continue to betray me by withholding the V6.
You can downvote my comment all you want, but a 2015 Impala with 3.6 V6 gets 22mpg combined, according to the epa website, and the Malibu 2.0 turbo gets 24 -an advantage of 2 mpg for the Malibu. I drive approx. 1000 miles per month/12000 miles per year. Using the combined mileage, the Impala would use 545.45 gallons of fuel vs. 500 gallons for the Malibu. At the current 2.50/gallon in my area for regular fuel, the Impala would cost $1363 in fuel. Add another $.30/gallon for the premium fuel that the turbo Malibu takes, and the yearly fuel cost would be $1400! So, the Malibu cost more per year - if only by $37- but why would anyone be ok with that? As fuel costs rise, it begins to favor the Malibu a bit more. Add a dollar to fuel costs and the Malibu comes out with an advantage of $9/year, but really, it's still a four-banger to save a lousy $9/year. I'll take the 3.6 V6 all day long, which forces me into the Impala, but it would be great to have the Malibu as a cheaper/smaller option again.
Chris no down vote here but you are missing some key points that we will see with the new Malibu and with the future Impala.
The new car is going to be 300 pounds lighter. That should put it around 3200-3300 pounds.
Second it will have an updated Turbo 4 engine. that will be even more efficient and will have more power and torque than the 3.6.
Third the present Turbo 4 is not Premium Required. It will run all day on regular be it with a slight loss of power.
4th With the Turbo 4 engines my first hand experience is they all pretty much easily beat the MPG ratings that GM post. Around town in my 3200 pound Turbo with nearly 300 HP I see a regular 25-26 MPG driving it like I stole it. Highway jumps to 32 MPG with out even trying.
Finally the Impala is going to change. I expect it and the SS will be merged into one at some point in a car that will be a little larger and about as fuel efficient as the present car with numbers in the high teens around town and more on the high way but still under the Impala numbers. It too will see major weight loss just as the Cruze soon will and increase it's MPG.
Also many people today just do not want cars as large as the Impala.
So while you are correct the Impala is the best car for you at the moment it is not the choice everyone else wants now. The mid size segment is the most popular segment. Also you have to factor in the real numbers that this car will see and the fact the Impala will change along with the Lacrosse soon. The car we have will most likely be replaced in 2018 just two years after the Impala.
Now understand I agree the Impala is a great car and value but these changes will ripple through the entire line and in the end the Cruze, Malibu and Impala will all find good homes with many customers but the Malibu and Cruze will carry most of the volume load. The key is Chevy will have three distinct sized cars that will cover three important segments of the market.
Tight now GM has been making do with old platforms to buy time till the new ones are out. Like I have said about the present Malibu it is not the best they can do but it is the best that they have at the moment while they were getting the work done on the E2XX platform.
FYI I expect if you love the present Impala now the new one will really take things to the next level. The weight loss will so amazing things for that car.
Sometimes you just have to step back and take in the whole picture or the cause and effect of all that is going on.
In the end the only real loss will be the SS model with a V8. I expect we may see a TT V6 SS with AWD? in the future. At least we can hope. The top end Impala price would support that.
Thanks for your insight on the subject, Scott!
I've never much cared for four-cylinder engines. Going back to the mid-sized cars of my childhood (N-body, A-body, even early W-bodies), the only reason to own one was insufficient funds to afford the V6. They were loud, raspy and barely got out of their own way. Even the packaging reinforced that they were for the budget conscious buyer with nicer options like aluminum wheels, leather or sunroofs not available without upgrading to the V6.
I acknowledge that much has changed since then, and today's four cylinders are as good or better than the V6s of the day, but I'll admit that my perceptions have not kept up --it's still a stigma in a car of this size. I attended a seminar for work awhile back, and one of the main points was essentially that people won't change unless there is a great enough reason to force them into it. For me to consider a 4-cyl, turbo or not, the cost savings would have to stand out above and beyond a V6 in a way that it currently does not. Perhaps the updated 2.0 Turbo will offer a few mpg improvement, and while it may not be detrimental to run one on regular gas, I'd be interested to know exactly what power losses were experienced, and if it lowers the fuel economy as well. If they could optimize it to run on regular like the later Northstar V8s, it would be HUGE for me.
I'm actually surprised to hear that the 2.0 beats the MPG ratings that GM posts. My wife has a 1.4 Turbo Sonic, and it falls short of the promised numbers. I have also heard many complaints that Ford's Ecoboost engines fall way short in real world driving.
I didn't consider the Malibu when I bought an Impala in 2009, mainly because I wanted a bench seat/column shift and that was an Impala only feature (not to mention the 3900 V6 Impala had better MPG than the 3.6 Malibu). This time around, there is no bench seat/column shift in the Impala, but the Malibu is still off my table because it doesn't come with the V6 anymore. I've test driven a new Impala on multiple occasions (my parents also own a 2014 with 3.6 V6), but I haven't handed in the keys to my '09 yet. While I still may end up with one, I'm holding out hope that the 2016 Buick Lacrosse will be the car for me --keeping my fingers crossed that it will be in New York too!
How about engines? Could we sees it globally???
I've rented the new Malibu several times over the past couple of years and I have a question: Is it just me, or is the a/c system needlessly difficult to figure out?
Most important car in the portfolio to get right.