Malibu to get an emergency redesign.

[AZCamaroFan]

Originally Posted by Stew

Does anyone know what GMs thinking was? Why would you take a car that was already on the smallish size inside and make it even worse. Then take what was a really nice interior design and turn it into a mismatched mess with worse materials.

i wonder why they decreased wheelabse

[FenwickHockey65]

SWB Epsilon II hardpoints. Kinda dumb, but...

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by AZCamaroFan

i wonder why they decreased wheelabse

There were always 2 wheelbase lengths in the Epsilon. Older Epsilon the Malibu was on the LWB and the G6 was on the SWB.

Today, the LaCrosse, XTS and new Impala are on the LWB. The Regal (Opel Insignia) and Malibu are on the SWB. So the issue exists on the Buick as well. Check the reviews.

But it isn't just the wheel base, it is efficient packaging. In some cases, moving the front wheels further forward does nothing for rear seat room.

So trunk, rear axle and fuel tank packaging have a big impact on rear seat room. If you do that efficiently you can maximize the occupant space. But when you start with an existing platform (SWB Epsilon) you have no flexibility there.

Also to put the Malibu on the LWB would essentially be the Impala and you can't have two vehicles on the same wheel base in the same showroom.......................or at least you shouldn't

[upflying]

Originally Posted by midnighter

I would buy the 1970, but then again, I am not general public.

I agree, I am also one of those "barely anyone" people.

[_Nick_]

Originally Posted by upflying

I agree, I am also one of those "barely anyone" people.

I would as well. I have a feeling it would sell to more people than "barely anyone".

Every time I see that new commercial where they claim "It's our best Malibu ever", I think of the 1970. The best Malibu ever will continue to be the 1970 as long as GM exists.

[KMPrenger]

Well, this news is surprising to me, but I'm kind of glad to see GM reacting. The bad part is that they ever had to react in the first place.

I don't dislike the Malibu, but I've always felt even since its release it seemed it just wasn't given the 100% effort that it should have been. It might have been at or near the top of its class on the day of its release overall (it still had some shortcomings even then) but it was plain to see it would be midpack at best by the next year. Shame on GM for not jumping way ahead of the competition at release, so the Malibu would remain competitive with this new generation of family sedans.

As far as the interior...I may be in the minority but I like it. Miss-mash of colors and all. I for one, will take a two+ tone interior over "black on black" any day of the week and then some. Too much of one tone is just boring to me.

Probably too late for GM to make any serious performance or mileage improvements with this car without going full bore and introducing a new drivetrain, but I like the ideas here of changing seat design somewhat for more rear leg room.

Heres hoping GM can make some attractive exterior changes instead of "ho hum" again.

[Bhobbs]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

And barely anyone in the general public would buy that right now.

Apparently they aren't buying the current one either...

Either way, I don't see the Chevelle coming back. Probably a good thing.

[Rapid Runner]

I really like the new Malibu.. Damn sure would by it over a Camry... But I will choose the Accord over it.. But for the amount Honda wants for the V6 model,

I can pay an additional $5k and get an AWD Charger R/T.. Loaded


Sent from BigNorm's iPhone 5 using Tapatalk

[dorfmac]

There is nothing about the Malibu that is appealing to me. It looks like every other 4-door on the road. At some point, some manufacturer is going to have step out of line and do something different with the sedan. Ford took a small, divergent step with the Focus redesign, but I would not consider even looking at purchasing a Malibu, or any other 4-door, until someone shakes it up extensively.

[DaBears]

Needless to say I'm curious about the changes coming.

[KMPrenger]

Originally Posted by dorfmac

There is nothing about the Malibu that is appealing to me. It looks like every other 4-door on the road. At some point, some manufacturer is going to have step out of line and do something different with the sedan. Ford took a small, divergent step with the Focus redesign, but I would not consider even looking at purchasing a Malibu, or any other 4-door, until someone shakes it up extensively.

Instead of Focus redesign...did you mean Fusion? I'm going to assume that is what you meant.

I think the Fusion IS a bit of a shakeup in the middle class priced sedan world. This is one of the bread and butter segments, and the makers have to create something that has a very broad appeal. You may want a sedan that looks completely different...maybe more sporty is what you are wanting...but 50% or more of the buyers likely wouldn't. Not everyone wants a "Hey look at me" car. They just want something that is reliable and has the features they desire. You have to give Ford props for going out and trying to make something a little more up on the "wow" scale style-wise and stand out among the crowd.

As for the Malibu...in certain trims and from certain angles, I think it is a good looking car, but at other times I think "blah". I certainly don't think its any worse than Honda's or Toyota's offerings as far as styling is concerned, but thats just me.

[dorfmac]

Originally Posted by KMPrenger

Instead of Focus redesign...did you mean Fusion? I'm going to assume that is what you meant.

I think the Fusion IS a bit of a shakeup in the middle class priced sedan world. This is one of the bread and butter segments, and the makers have to create something that has a very broad appeal. You may want a sedan that looks completely different...maybe more sporty is what you are wanting...but 50% or more of the buyers likely wouldn't. Not everyone wants a "Hey look at me" car. They just want something that is reliable and has the features they desire. You have to give Ford props for going out and trying to make something a little more up on the "wow" scale style-wise and stand out among the crowd.

As for the Malibu...in certain trims and from certain angles, I think it is a good looking car, but at other times I think "blah". I certainly don't think its any worse than Honda's or Toyota's offerings as far as styling is concerned, but thats just me.

Yeah, Fusion is what I meant. I'm not saying necessarily more sporty, or more anything in particular - just something that stands out a little bit. And it doesn't have to be anything particularly flashy that screams "Look at me", but you can change some of the angles/design to maintain the modest sedan look, but make it different than what else is out there. Like I said, Ford did a decent job starting to move in that direction - understated, yet clear change.