Still not seeing the need.

 

Me either. Malibu will finally be a true mid-size fighter. The current gen is too small compared to the Camry/Accord/Altima group.
Having this new one big the right size combined with upscale looks can only be a GOOD thing!! Aveo Cobalt Malibu Impala sits just fine with Yaris, Corolla, Camry and Avalon, Fit, Civic and Accord, Versa, Sentra, Altima, Maxima.

And Guy...its the Fusion...not Futura.

 

hahaha...must be the aussie sunshine getting thru to Guy...1st the confusion between Freestyle/Territory and now Fusion/Futura. maybe this is what he's trying to point out regarding Ford's "global" outlook, the non-sharing of platforms.

 

I agree. The Malibu and Impala to me anyhow are way to close in size. I see no problem with the Colbalt/Malibu/Large Impala lineup. I think it probably do better then having the Malibu and Impala so close in size.

Although, they will have to keep the costs similar. If the Malibu jumps into Impala pricing, then they might have a problem with a price gap.

 

Malibu and Impala pretty much are in the same price range now. You can get a 3500 Malibu for the same price as a 3500 Impala, 3900 Malibu SS for the same price as a 3900 Impala. Even the Impy SS can be under 30k, which is about where the Malibu ends. Impala would actualy have to increase its base price, probably around to 25k starting for a 3.6/5-6spd auto combo. Impala doesnt have to be THAT much bigger. Id like to see maybe a WM sized Impala.

 

Me either. We are starting to get back over the lumps of near bankruptcy and now all of the sudden we need a car for every inch of wheelbase difference?? I thought the new Malibu (of which we have not seen) was supposed to appear more classy and have more content without moving into another tax bracket?

Please dear lord, no more new Chevys unless its a full-size RWD coupe.

 

The only logical thought about what you said there is that the Malibu is as upscale and rich looking as the NEW, upcoming Impala; because if you are comparing the new Malibu to the current Impala then we are all in for a disappointment. I'm pretty sure that is what you meant, however.

Malibu, Cobalt, and Impala have always sold in a class below compared to the best sellers, Honda and Toyota. They sell for lower prices and are not as coveted as cars from those companies. Malibu, Impala, and eventually Cobalt becoming aspirational can only mean good things for image, profit margins, etc. I see no need for a car in between Cobalt and Malibu. Cobalt should see an increase in interior space and quality however.

 

Considering Chevy, Dodge, Ford, Honda, and Toyota "sedans":

ENTRY/SUBCOMPACT
Aveo $9-14K 169.7"
Fit $13-16K 157.4"
Yaris $12-14K 169.3"

COMPACT
Cobalt $13-19K 180.3"
Caliber $13-20K 173.8"
Focus $13-17K 175.2"
Civic $15-25K 176.7"
Corolla $14-17K 178.3"
Prius $22-23K 175"

MIDSIZE
Current Malibu $17-24K 188.3"
New Malibu $20-28K ~191"
Stratus '06 $20-24K 191.2" (replaced by new Avenger)
Fusion $17-24K 190.2"
Accord $18-33K 191.1"
Camry $18-28K 189.2"

FULLSIZE
Current Impala $20-28K 200.4"
New Impala $26-34K ~200"
Charger $21-36K 200.1"
Five Hundred $22-28K 200.7"
Crown Victoria $24-28K 212"
Avalon $26-34K 197.2"

Seems like if the new Malibu and Impala are slotted approximately where I've estimated and the revised Cobalt for '08 appears more upscale (it's already larger than its competitors), they'll cover the same amount of ground while losing the current Malibu.

 

Yep, Ford had a Futura down there.

'course I meant Fusion.

I'm back now, so I'll blame jetlag instead of Aussie sun
(or residual effects of VB)

 

i thought the new malibu was going to be about the same size as the Saturn Aura.. which is 190.9" long

 

I believe those in the know on this board have said the new Malibu is about the size of the current Impala.

Edit: But according to a recent AutoWeek story, it is about the size of the Aura. I'll update my previous post. I guess I missed something...

 

I had the impression that the wheelbase was longer but the Mailbu would be shorter than the current Impala (less trunk).

 

What about the timeline between the new Malibu and the new Impala?

If Malibu is moving up as a '08 model, it will be out sometime this next summer, right. But more than likely the the new RWD Impala won't be out for another year or so after that. The new Malibu might put the W-Body Imapla to shame with its styling and upscale interior.

 

^ Actually that's not a problem because GM can churn out W-Impalas for fleets and save the Malibu for consumer sales. Much like Ford did for Fusion/Taurus.