It really doesn't take very much imagination to guess how those door handles or that shift console is going to look in real life. It also seems pretty obvious that that the Malibu won't upstage the Aura or other higher-end cars in that class. But I guess we shall see.

However, it is a light year ahead of GM's interior execution a few years ago and certainly will be competitive at least.

 

It appears to be a very nice car for the segment. I'll have to reserve judgement on the grille until I see it in person in a couple weeks.

 

From everything I've read and seen on a few occasions, this MUST be better than the Aura's interior to be credible and at least in the ball park of the competition.

 

gag

 

The interior looks prett good, but i do have 2 complaints, one minor, one less so.

- They should have put the side defrost vents up a little higher in the dark trim rather than the accent area. It just sticks out too much in the light color. This is a minor complaint, but would have made it look a little better.

- That grooved piece behind the shifter looks like a roll back cover over maybe cup holders or storage, and those kind of roll backs can end up feeling cheap from other cars i can think of. If this is well done it will be fine, but if it's cheap it will be what every rag picks on.

 

Wow , Im the opposite with the popular vote . For the market this car caters too , I think they bagged a homerun finally in every aspect of the car except for the fact that it doesnt seem to offer a manual trans . Not offering the (f40) 6-speed manual with both the 4 and 6 is a mistake . I'll wait to say a bases loaded homer until I see it in Detroit . Once you can see the actual shape in the car in a real pic or in person , the front grill I think will translate MUCH better . This grill style first appeared on the Silver GM performace parts widebody Cobalt SS Sema car in 2005 . GM's studio pics the grill looked very out of place IMO . But real world pictures of the car ourside was different story , it was pretty sweet looking .

Great job GM

Look familiar , GM testing the waters back in 2005 at the Sema show

 

wonder if thats the 08 cobalt grill?

 

It's also found on these concepts (I believe the SS was wrecked in the front and the bar is now body-colored):







Btw, I agree a manual transmission should be offered.

 

I love that excerpt from the C&D article at the end, stating that no matter how nice the car is, people probably won't leave their Accords or Camrys for the Malibu. Maybe that's true for some people, but talk about brainwashing the reader before they even see the car, ESPECIALLY if they already own an Accord or Camry...

Idiots...

 

and they say there is no media bias..its right there in print.. if you own one of those two cars you mihgt be reading and it says "no matter how nice the car is, people probably won't leave their Accords or Camrys for the Malibu."

ohh okay well then since I will be ready for a new car in 08 I will not look at a malibu cus its not better...

how blatant can you be for media bias..

 

Yes, I know. I almost waxed poetic about it when I posted the article, but didn't feel like it at the time. I decided to just post the article for the factual (I assume) content about the engine/transmission combos, etc.

Car and Driver is a completely unbiased source. Kinda like Al Jazeera...

 

I wonder how much the typical Camry/Accord buyer reads magazines like C/D. Not to discount the bias (which is certainly present), but the core of these buyers will probably continue to buy the same products no matter what. Fringe buyers who are more subjective might consider Chevy, Saturn, or even Kia if they took it upon themselves to research the cars and become informed. They may be swayed to check out Malibu with a nice write-up. The core will see the ads on TV along with the noted awards and the new Camry/Accord in their neighbor's driveway and upgrade accordingly. Perhpas this is what the article is hinting at.

Btw, the current Feb. 07 C/D has a comparison of midsize family sedans that finished ranked as: (1) Accord SE, (2) Altima 2.5S, (3) Optima EX, (4) Aura XE, (5) Camry LE, and (6) Sebring Touring. In regards to the Saturn, GM got it "almost right" and "let down by details." Let's hope these details are better in the Malibu or it will enjoy the same labels.

 

I think that it is nice. Should be a good seller.

 

LOL!!!!


BTW, is there anyone around that could get a few shots of the car with a regular PnS camera??

 

Most likely it's very close.