Did I miss it? I haven't seen much about this car so far this week. Have they done the official unveiling yet?

 

Yeah, you missed it.

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-chevy-malibu-1/

 

Over the years I grew to think that particular fine mesh would be reserved for sports cars.

 

Ummm......er...... you're joking, right???????!

 

Seriously, I missed it somehow. I've been coming here everyday this week, I saw the thread about the Honda Accord, the Volt, etc. etc. I didn't see anything about the Malibu.

Thanks for posting the link 96_Camaro_B4C

 

I've been behind too.. What did htey do for powertrain and suspension upgrades? I don't think they could improve too much on the independent 4 wheel.

The front end looks like it has a big nose. Didn't notice it till the side view.

 

Base engine is the 2.4L ecotec, with 165-170 hp (forget the exact number). It comes with a four speed auto in LS or LT trim. Get a 4 cylinder LTZ and the 2.4L comes with a six speed auto (the first 4 cylinder/six speed auto combo in the segment).

The only optional engine is the 3.6L, 258 hp V6 with the six speed auto. That means there are no OHV engines in the lineup at all, which should enhance its image amongst the media chumps and much of the general public who have been brainwashed to think OHC is somehow magically superior.

I think the powertrain lineup looks quite solid (though of course a manual option wouldn't hurt).

 

The auto has a manual feature. It has push button shifters on the steering wheel.

 

Not the same for those of us wanting to row our own gears with a clutch. I love the look of this car but this would keep me form getting one.

 

Yeah, I know. I was talking more about a true manual (with a clutch pedal)...

 

B4C, since you're one of say 2 or 3 people here who would know, would you say the new Malibu is any quicker than the old one (at least quicker than the current SS version)?

 

I'm not sure I'm necessarily one who would know anymore, now that I sit in Indy instead of Milford...

But I would assume a significant improvement, just looking at times I've seen for the Aura XR.

I think when CandD tested a Malibu Maxx SS (3.9L, 240 hp, 4 spd auto) they got a 6.7 or 6.9 0-60. I may have seen lower/mid sixes for the 3.9L / six speed manual combo of the G6 (but the manual was not offered on the Malibu).

I think CandD got a 6.2 0-60 / 14.9 1/4 mile from the Aura, which I'm assuming will be quite similar to the new Malibu.

 

Roughly as quick as a stock 5.0 Mustang or the quickest stock SS454 Chevelles.

Not bad for a family sedan.

 

Not bad at all! Especially with a sharp looking exterior like it has.

I remember when I saw it back in September how good a value this car was going to be. This one should be a hit.

 

IMO, the nose looks much better in person that it does in photos (I think that GM's own photos made the nose look way out of proportion).

It's a nice-looking car, and I can't wait to see a production version (GM fessed-up that the interior of the show car was a "hand-painted" pre-production version, but in my experience in the industry, actual production parts often look much better than prototypes).