Malibu Leaked

[ChrisMaz]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/2013-chevrolet-malibu-large-opt.jpg

Cruze x Epica.

Looks alright.

[chrissn89]

Looks good. More modern euro than the anything else holden are offering.

Sent from my Garmin-Asus A50 using Tapatalk

[poita]

I actually don't mind it at all

[Vectracious]

Not bad at all!

[dieselhead]

And the point of Malibu is... filling the gap between Commodore and Cruze? That's it?

[sooty]

And the point of Malibu is... filling the gap between Commodore and Cruze? That's it?

Epica replacement

[dieselhead]

Right, smart move, we all know Epica was such a huge success... :D

[sooty]

Right, smart move, we all know Epica was such a huge success... :D

I don't even know what it's meant to go up against... Maxima? Accord? Camry?

[btm]

doesnt look too bad!

[Jerram]

front is not attractive imo. Probably has something to do with Pedestrian Crash ratings but I haven't liked front ends on most new everyday cars for awhile now.

mind you you're talking to the kind of person who enjoys the front ends of things such as Rollers and Turbo Rs etc.

[Vectracious]

I don't even know what it's meant to go up against... Maxima? Accord? Camry?

I would have thought it woul be up agaunst the Mazda 6, Honda Accord Euro. Ive looked at Cruzes - just like the Mazda 3, they are just that little bit too small for someone looking to cart young children around and dont want to go to a Commodore or Falcon size car.

[guy 27]

not a bad looking car at all.

[Red AH SRI T]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/2013-chevrolet-malibu-1-625x416.jpg
http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/2013-chevrolet-malibu-2-625x416.jpg
http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/2013-chevrolet-malibu-6-625x397.jpg
http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/2013-chevrolet-malibu-5.jpg
http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/2013-chevrolet-malibu-3-625x392.jpg
http://www.caradvice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/2013-chevrolet-malibu-4-625x416.jpg


I gotta say I quite like it, especially the two tone interior (minus the woodgrain)

Pics from www.caradvice.com.au

[hazrd]

that interior looks mint!

[MatsHolden]

I like the cues from Camaro with tail lights, flat boot deck and instrument cluster.

[01CDsedan]

No inteerst whatsoever in buying one, but at least they won't offend the eye when I see one on the roads.

[rjastra]

Looks good. I like that you can specify an interior with a bit of colour rather than just drab grey.

I read that it gets a 2.5 Ecotec engine (Accord Euro matching figures). Wonder if they will fit this into the Opel Insignia when they release it here? It's essential that Opel has access to non-turbo as well as turbo engines in their main stream sedans.

[Manaz]

It's essential that Opel has access to non-turbo as well as turbo engines in their main stream sedans.

Why? The turbo engines are more economical and have better torque characteristics than NA engines.

The Holden Cruze is now available with a 1.4L turbo as an option to the ancient 1.8L NA - its a better engine by practically every measure. I'd be surprised if Holden don't drop the 1.8L NA in the next update once they can offer the 1.4T at a comparible price (there's a small premium to pay for it at present).

[rjastra]

Why? The turbo engines are more economical and have better torque characteristics than NA engines.

The Holden Cruze is now available with a 1.4L turbo as an option to the ancient 1.8L NA - its a better engine by practically every measure. I'd be surprised if Holden don't drop the 1.8L NA in the next update once they can offer the 1.4T at a comparible price (there's a small premium to pay for it at present).

And what problems do P PLate drivers have with turbo cars??

[hazrd]

unfortunately for P platers, Opel probably isnt planning to target that specific demographic :( although the Astra will more than likely have a non turbo model when it comes here

[ChrisMaz]

And what problems do P PLate drivers have with turbo cars??

Only in some states

[Red AH SRI T]

I sell VW and P platers just apply for an exemption for Polo, Golf ect with 1.2 and 1.4 turbo

[rjastra]

I sell VW and P platers just apply for an exemption for Polo, Golf ect with 1.2 and 1.4 turbo

Yes, but a 2L turbo under the hood may not allow an exemption....

[xplosv57]

Yes, but a 2L turbo under the hood may not allow an exemption....

So then a P plater can't buy it, plenty of other cars they can buy.....

Like Hazrd said, Chevrolet/Holden/Opel isn't marketing this car for P platers, it's more of a mid sized family car.

[Red AH SRI T]

Yes, but a 2L turbo under the hood may not allow an exemption....

It depends. If it is a "high performance" vehicle like a Golf GTI, then it would be harder, but if its like say a 2.0 Turbo in the Tiguan which isnt at all a fast car then it would be considered

[dieselhead]

P platers should drive Clios then.Nice atmo engine under the hood should be legit, right? :)
Seriously now, not alowing teenagers to drive new, safe cars, is simply wrong.

[MatsHolden]

The P plate prohibited list is so hit and miss... for instance, a VXR Astra is banned in Victoria as well as a Golf GTi, yet an AH Astra SRi Turbo can be driven upon application... and a Porsche Cayman is straight up approved? Makes no sense.

[Keep'emRunning]

no easy answer to this one.. i beleive one of the reasons that p platers are banned from turbos is simply the fact most of them still live at home, and hence have more disposable income to throw at their cars..

Getting a tonne more power out of a turbo is a lot easier, and cheaper, than a N/A car, with far more serious consequences through simple mistakes.


At least by getting off their P's they have a little more driving experience and able to better handle their vehicles when upgrading.

Not to say that a lot of young people aren't driving hi-po cars within the legalities that currently exist of course... (and we've all seen the the pics of those accidents too)

[ChrisMaz]

The thing is. This is just hearing about deaths on the news, in papers etc. Most P platers are driving V6 commodores and still killing themselves. Don't blame the cars power. Blame the driver training. Back O.T.

Hows about that Malibu...

[MatsHolden]

If the Malibu is priced right here then I can see it doing quite well.

[ChrisMaz]

The thing is. Its so close to the Cruze, as far as I can tell, that I'm not entirely sure what its going to offer to the market.

[Bloodnok]

Have we actually had any confirmation that Holden will be selling these?

[MatsHolden]

The thing is. Its so close to the Cruze, as far as I can tell, that I'm not entirely sure what its going to offer to the market.

It's larger than Cruze.

[Vectracious]

It's larger than Cruze.

+1

It's competing against things like the Mazda 6 - Cruze cannot match midsizers for interior space...

[MatsHolden]

Have we actually had any confirmation that Holden will be selling these?

Yeah Holden have confirmed they will be selling it here from 2012.

[rjastra]

Holden Malibu pics
http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/852B97B4CD724199CA257A4500030D97/$file/Holden_Malibu_large.jpg

[faneca]

The cruze front bar and the Malibu front bar look too similar IMO.

[Hoss]

It looks OK inside and out. Let's hope Holden go with the Malibu Turbo in their lineup. Meanwhile, I hope you are all saving your pennies for the Volt!

[poita]

Well the Ampera is in the SEVS list ;)

[jackdaniel]

Malibu....looks OK, but is it still a Daewoo underneath?

Although I havent driven the Cruise myself, every other Daewoo (and heap-of-poo based car - Epica....blleeeeggghhh) that I have ever had the misfortune to be behind the wheel of, has been among the biggest piles of shit ever created (and I've driven a Lada....).

If its Opel/Vauxhall based, I'll give it a look. Maybe even if its Chev based. But if Daewoo - not going anywhere near it. Made (assembled) in Oz or not.


Edit: Did a quick search, and guess what; its a Daewoo. Only made in the USA and Bupyeong, South Korea - so guess where the RHD versions are comming from.

So lokks like its an Insignia on the shopping list then - lets hope we get the OPC version.

http://www.opel-australia.com.au/vehicles/opel-range/cars/insignia-4-door/index.html

[poita]

Reported to be coming out with a 2L turbo in the states.

Looking at the specs I'd say it's the same motor as the Astra OPC.

[Nurb608]

Reported to be coming out with a 2L turbo in the states.

Looking at the specs I'd say it's the same motor as the Astra OPC.

Id say it would be similar as that's where the lnf motor has been for a while before making its way into the OPC

[poita]

Found the info again, it's on the GM site so no doubt it's not a rumour


A new, direct-injected Ecotec 2.0L turbocharged engine is available in the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. It is rated at 259 horsepower (193 kW), making it one of the most power-dense automotive engines in the industry.

A twin-scroll turbocharger generates up to 20 pounds of boost, helping the engine optimize power delivery across the rpm band. It also produces a broad and robust torque curve, delivering 90 percent of the peak 260 lb.-ft. of torque (353 Nm) from 1,500 rpm to 5,800 rpm – giving the Malibu Turbo a great feeling of power on demand.

http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/chevrolet/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2012/Sep/0920_malibu_turbo_eng.html

[hazrd]

I think I got one photo of this thing at the motorshow. Looked alright although they had it locked and no one was able to get into it (much like most of their cars at the stand)

[Red AH SRI T]

Malibu....looks OK, but is it still a Daewoo underneath?

Although I havent driven the Cruise myself, every other Daewoo (and heap-of-poo based car - Epica....blleeeeggghhh) that I have ever had the misfortune to be behind the wheel of, has been among the biggest piles of shit ever created (and I've driven a Lada....).

If its Opel/Vauxhall based, I'll give it a look. Maybe even if its Chev based. But if Daewoo - not going anywhere near it. Made (assembled) in Oz or not.


Edit: Did a quick search, and guess what; its a Daewoo. Only made in the USA and Bupyeong, South Korea - so guess where the RHD versions are comming from.

So lokks like its an Insignia on the shopping list then - lets hope we get the OPC version.

http://www.opel-australia.com.au/vehicles/opel-range/cars/insignia-4-door/index.html

Its built on the same platform as the Insignia, so it aint a Daewoo

[Jonski]

i remember seeing this 2 years ago on the road in California.. it was also at the motorshow last week.

[JohnBu]

I think I got one photo of this thing at the motorshow. Looked alright although they had it locked and no one was able to get into it (much like most of their cars at the stand)

Pretty silly to have it locked.... they may have won a few people over with the interiors.

[poita]

All of the Holdens where locked.

People where crawling all over $2-300k cars and they locked $60k taxis :facepalm:

[sooty]

Didn't want anyone to feel the cheap shit plastics

[hazrd]

Didn't want anyone to feel the cheap shit plastics

The SV6 "Z Series" was unlocked so we got plenty of shit plastic feeling time in :lol:

[Wraith]

Hmmm, I like the interior it's very Opel-ish but not really a fan of the look it exterior wise rear looks like some bastardised Camaro thingy ?? and front end looks too much like a current Cruze...

Just reading through the posts there's a mention of it being a Daewoo (God I hope not) what is it then Opel or Daewoo ??

If it is to go up against the new Mazda 6 it'd have to be pretty special to even cause a slight dent in sales over that vehicle...can't see it happening :(

[rjastra]

If it is to go up against the new Mazda 6 it'd have to be pretty special to even cause a slight dent in sales over that vehicle...can't see it happening :(

Unless of course the Mazda is expensive. Someone reported that the Mazda 6 diesel GT was a mid 50K car on road.


Just reading through the posts there's a mention of it being a Daewoo (God I hope not) what is it then Opel or Daewoo ??

It was mainly designed for the US market. It's built in several locations around the world.

[hazrd]

For a Mazda?! :eek:

[poita]

They are $43k + on roads.

[Wraith]

Unless of course the Mazda is expensive. Someone reported that the Mazda 6 diesel GT was a mid 50K car on road.



It was mainly designed for the US market. It's built in several locations around the world.

Thanks for the clarification rj.

The new Mazda 6 is going to be a major step up from the current vehicle, that price range for upper variants is not surprising...


For a Mazda?! :eek:

Alot of the Mazda range are segment leaders, as above the Malibu has to be priced accordingly to effectively compete against that kind of competition...


They are $43k + on roads.

Sounds similar to the current Mazda 6 upper spec price point...

[rjastra]

This from the Mazda site - the prize promotion. Top model in range.


7. The prize is a new Mazda6 2.2L Diesel GT Sedan motor vehicle including accessories as determined by the Promoter. The prize includes all on-road costs (dealer delivery and statutory charges, 12 months’ registration and stamp duty). The prize does not include comprehensive insurance or any other accessories not specified.
9. The total prize pool is valued at approximately $56,000AU (inc GST).

So they are pitching this car at the VW Passat etc and moving it upmarket just like the CX5.

I think the Malibu will significantly undercut the Mazda 6 in any spec level. But, I don't think the Malibu will be as good a car (does it need to be?)

The trick will be to see how the Mazda 6 fairs against the upcoming Honda Accord. All reports are that the new Accord is back to being a proper Honda. The new direct injection 2.4L is supposed to be a beauty.

[poita]

I like how you left out the rest of that article and only copied the info over that suited you.

[Vectracious]

You mean this disclaimer?



Changes in prize value

17. Prizes are not transferable or exchangeable and cannot be redeemed for cash. The Promoter accepts no responsibility for any variation in prize value. Where a prize is unavailable for any reason, the Promoter may substitute for that prize another item of equal or higher value as determined by the Promoter, subject to the approval of the gaming authorities in each state and territory, where required.

[Wraith]

I think rj was concerned with just trying to get the price point of the new Mazda 6 top spec to compare with the price point of the new Malibu, but as said if the Malibu is not in competion with the Mazda 6 range ?? then it dosn't matter...

I still don't see exactly what market segment this model is in, will be interesting to see how well or not it ends up selling...

[Red AH SRI T]

i remember seeing this 2 years ago on the road in California.. it was also at the motorshow last week.

Two years ago you would have seen the old model Malibu. This model only came out this year.