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Comments
The 2008 Malibu SHOULD make the old car look old. That is the point. Nissan decided to make the new Altima so evolutionary that most people wont even notice it's all new. If you want people to rush out an buy your new model you have to make it worth trading in their old models. I can see that happening with the Malibu, but not the Altima.
The Fusion, Sonata, Galant and 6 lack dual zone auto climate control. Only the Accord, Passat and Camry have it but you cant get it on the Camry SE for some stupid reason. Want dual zone on a 6 or Sonata even though they are imports? Nope, cant have it.
GM is finally phasing out 4 speeds in mainstream cars. The G6/Aura already have 6 speeds and the Malibu will as well. The Vue will also have one. 4 speeds are older technology but the differences in mileage between a 4 speed and 5 speed are minimal. Compare the mileage of the Aura/G6/Malibu with the 3.5L engine to the Accord or Sonata or Fusion (6 speed) and you will see virtually no difference. As for pushrods, you need to look into that a little more. GM's newest pushrods have VVT while the Fusion, 6 and Sebring do not. Pushrod tech is no older than OHC technology, it's just mechanically simpler. OHV engines are trusted to run trucks, SUVs, sports cars and the 300C so I dont see why they cant be used. As far as I know the Japanese never made pushrod engines in america which is why they dont have them to this day, it's not like they made them and then "upgraded" to OHC layouts because they deemed OHV inferior.
Bluetooth is available on the Altima as part of an expensive package. Navigation isnt required, but another package with tons of unrelated features. Bottom line, on an Altima V6 you have to spend $30k to get bluetoooth which means 90% of Altimas will not have it. Does the Accord have bluetooth? Passat?
You can call the Malibu's likely powertrains outdated but all that matters is performance. The g6 has a four cylinder combined with a 4 speed with I suppose you would call outdated but it still gets 23/33 which is better than many cars, including the Fusion with a 5 speed.
Detroit News article
Quote: "The biggest challenge GM faces is that more and more people, especially the young, are excluding us from their consideration list," the study said.
Hence my desire to see GM become more proactive when it comes to embracing newer technologies like Bluetooth. I am hoping that Chevy makes the 2008 Malibu a showcase for forward thinking that will draw more people into the showrooms.
It more perceptions than facts. GMs new OHV engines with VVT are pretty well engineered - fuel effective and smooth. I drove some time ago rental Pontiac GP with OHV and could not figure out what engine was under the hood. But I did not try to race it though. You probably will notice trying to rev it up. But for Pontiac being sport sedan company it is essencial to have latest technologies under the hood. For Chevy may be it is not so important.
Electric steering can be done right, but GM needs to put more engineering effort to improve it.
MT has a clear pic of the Malibu in the February issue. They said the engines are 2.4L and 3.6L so I guess no OHV engine will be offered. They like the styling a lot and said this car is worthy of being called Malibu.
as for Pontiac, the have a direct injection turbo four that crushes the audi 2L turbo. I would call that technology. The G6 has a DOHC V6 and 6 speed auto, sounds pretty up to date to me.
Rocky
Can't tell if it has a footrest/dead pedal for driver's left foot to rest at a comfortable angle on long drives.
Now, we have to see what kind of features and specifications it has or lacks compared to the competition.
Engines, transmissions, pricing, fuel economy, crash test safety, comfort, ride and handling etc..
What is not in doubt is the improvement in the powertrain. Chevrolet ditched the 224-horsepower pushrod 3.5-liter V6 in favor of a 252-hp double-overhead-cam 3.6-liter V6. The new engine is also available on the upmarket version of the Saturn Aura. The company likewise threw out the four-speed automatic and bolted a six-speed auto, with optional steering-wheel-mounted shifting, in its place. It's a combination that's impressed us in the Aura XR. And while the similarly sized Toyota and Nissan motors make more horsepower, 252 is more than adequate output for a family car.
The Malibu's new base motor, a 2.4-liter Ecotec double-overhead four-cylinder, makes 20 more hp than the outgoing 2.2-liter Ecotec. Rated at 164 hp, the new motor has as much juice as most direct competitors. A six-speed automatic transmission is also available with the Ecotec, although it comes only on Malibus with the upmarket LTZ treatment. The versions in the more budget-minded LS and LT trim lines get a four-speed automatic.
If it happens, that could be a nice choice with good MPG, good performace and quiet highway ride.
Personally, I like the car a lot and I might get one next year. Looks good to me inside and out but I really want to see some real interior photos.
The 6 speed and ecotec should give you 24/34 or 25/35 if you look at the G6's mileage with the 4 speed auto. Very nice indeed. How about them one upping Camry, Fusion and Accord with the available 6 speed/4cylinder combo? Nice.
saw the bluetooth discussion as well....and I agree...its an option to me doesnt sell me on a car.....the change in engine and trans should be a great addition to this car..IMHO
So why can't GM be part of the 10% that do offer bluetooth and navigation in their midsize sedans? GM doesn't have the luxury of being in the 90%; they have been losing sales and market share because they sell cars like everyone else. The problem is everyone else is doing a better job of it.
Perception, perception, perception. GM needs to be pushing the envelope instead of playing catch-up.
If 90% of the public considers a GM prodduct than I believe they would be happy since they have only 26% of the market. As I told you before, they are not losing market share this year. If you are basing the competence on who has the most share than that would GM is making the best cars. Not saying I agree with that, but according to what you are saying it's a valid argument.
I can assure you, GM has not been losing share over the last 30 years because of lack of bluetooth and nav.
"GM needs to be pushing the envelope instead of playing catch-up."
They are pushing it by offering a nice looking midsize sedan with great value and great powertrains plus a hybrid model. The only affordable midsize cars out that could possibly be considered better than this are the Altima and Camry but both are overpriced and neither looks as distinctive as the Malibu.
I doub't the Accord will have a 6 speed auto since Acura doesnt even have one yet. Honda just stopped using 4 speeds within the last 3-4 years.
High tech powertrains... lots of room... fresh styling... remote start... heated seats... sounds like a winner to me.
I wouldn't exactly call a 9 month wait to get a 2008 Malibu pushing the envelope. By the time the new Malibu is available for sale it will have to contend with a brand new Accord. I'm willing to bet the new Accord will make the new Malibu seem mediocre and outdated even before it hits the streets. Can anyone say "poor timing"?
Better recheck your numbers. Based on figures from the Detroit News article I linked to several posts ago:
Quote: "In the past 10 years, GM's annual U.S. market share has fallen from 31 percent to 24 percent, as of November."
I can assure you, GM has not been losing share over the last 30 years because of lack of bluetooth and nav.
No, they have been losing market share by offering mediocre products with yesterday's technology. Thank God the pushrod engine and 4-speed automatic transmission will FINALLY be laid to rest when the new Malibu eventually goes on sale.
However, compared to my (other car)Malibu Maxx with the 3.5 ohv, this is a car that's going to have a lot more maintenance cost. I, for one appreciate the light weight, good gas mileage, torqiness and simplicity of that 3.5 engine.
With the electric steering (true, it doesn't handle like the Optima with 17 inch 50 series Michelins) but it will probably get almost as good gas mileage. Plus, the oil life monitor indicates that I can get about 7000 miles on a change with dino oil.
It's certainly not cutting edge, but GM should get more credit than it does for building technology into a simple basic design.
Boy, oh Boy, let the GM bashing continue. I work for a major supplier to Toyota and Honda. They make great cars based on their assembly standards / supplier requirements. GM is moving in the right direction. They're NOT going to catch anybody and shouldn't be worried about it. They need to be competitive on $$, quality, and delivering the market what it wants, when it wants it.
I like the new Malibu and have been very happy with my '04 LT V-6. It's been as good a car as the 2 previous Accords I've owned. The '08 Malibu LTZ with the 164HP 4 and a 6 sp auto may be just what the doctor ordered. For this patient anyway!
LLN Article/Pic link
Your statements make no sense. The current Malibu came out as a 2004 model and four years later there will be a new model. What do you mean "bad timing"? I dont think they based the release date on whether or not an Accord was coming out. You can pretty much predict what will be on the new accord, more power (although likely less the 258hp TL), more space and some new features like Bluetooth, trip computer, split folding rear seat and perhaps remote start. Honda isnt going to offer 18" wheels (the RL doesnt even have them), it wont blow away the competition in power, no name brand sound system, no Onstar, etc. I don't see any way Honda can make the '08 Malibu (or Altima or Camry) look mediocre because these cars are too good. Just face the fact that these sedans are going to be more or less evenly matched. I know you cant believe that because the Malibu doesnt have Bluetooth, but it's true. BTW, as far as I know there will be no Accord hybrid on the next generation.
Malibu is supposed to be out in the Summer. LAst time I checked thats 6-7 months from now.
BTW, since you believe purveyors of 4 speeds are low tech that means you feel Toyota is behind the times since is still sells 4 speeds on numerous models. Honda just stopped making 4 speeds with the debut of the new Civic and they have yet to offer a 6 speed on ANY model. GM makes more 4 speeds than Honda, but they also make more 6 speeds. I suspect by the end of next year GM will be making more 6 speeds than Toyota as well. remember, only the Camry V6 has a 6 speed auto. The G6, Aura, Outlook/Acadia, Escalade, Denali and Vette have 6 speeds now. The Malibu, Equinox, Tahoe/Yukon, Silverado and CTS get them next year.
I am only concerned if interior while being well designed would have the same flimsy feel and hard plastic used in lower dash. Interior design is very good, similar to Accord – it feels open and roomy. It is no way European style. European style is what we see in Fusion – rather claustrophobic straight lines with lot of expensive looking black plastic.
I did notice the fuel filler door wasnt manual.
Styling-wise, this car has it going on especially from front and front 3/4 view. Exciting, tight and a new face. Nice sculpting of front melding into sides and hood.
The rear quarter does look a little stubby like Audi A4, and the rear lights and rear end could be better: the combination of point (agree with above poster-- Ford Fusion-like) and panel into trunk (looks like cobbled from Buick Lucerne) doesn't quite make it for me and recalls garish rear lights of Infiniti M.
Chevy tries to straddle both vocabularies by inserting 'twin round' shapes within outer lamps cut-outs, but this is weak although I'm sure less expensive.
Generally though this is an exciting break-through. Look forward to checking out in person how the LTZ model distinguishes itself visually.
Door panels in Aura are not made from hard plastic - it is soft enough, not being too soft to wear quickly as it happens in VW. The complains were about door panel being too shiny and therefore cheap looking, stitches look artificial and unnecessary, and it also feels flimsy and hollow when you touch it.
But Aura sells well so evidently it is not such a big issue. Still I hope GM listens to critics as it did with Saturn Sky and Malibu will not have the same issues. If they fix remaining issues Aura will sell even better.
I truly like the fact that I could buy a V-6 Sonata for what my friend payed for his Civic. Now I just hope the General follows suit with Hyundai (and ford for that matter) and makes the V-6 Malibu affordable. I dont like how they try to run you up the options ladder if you want the good V-6 on their current Malibu/G-6 offerings.
However, the one nit I have to pick with what ive seen on the 08 Malibu is the back end. I think they could have done better and I dont think it really matches the design flow of the rest of the car. Other than that I think it is one of the top 3 looking mid-size sedans that will be on the market.
Good job GM!
I dont think any specific release date has been announced but I believe it will be out in the 3rd quarter.
Navigation will not be available.
interior dimensions have been posted, you might find that info in the press release.
http://www.cheersandgears.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=14553&st=0#entry234449
It really is amazing how designers can divide up space between the interior and the trunk. My current car, 99 SVT Contour, at 184" in length has a 14.5 cu ft trunk. Bigger trunk than today's Camry, while being way shorter overall. Camry went to the other extreme, relatively speaking a small trunk, but plenty of back seat room.
Finally remember that numbers don't tell the whole story. Each manufacturer has a little wiggle on how they do interior measurements. The true test will be when you sit down in one.
I know when I was buying my Contour the Mustang had almost the same rear seat measurements on paper, but in reality anyone who has been in the rear of a Mustang knows it's not a place you'd want to spend time. On paper they're very close but in reality you can ride in the back of the Contour for hours unlike the Mustang.
While I too bemoan the fact that they're not offering any cutting edge features (nav, BT, LED rear lights) I would much rather they focus on building a quality product first. As an owner of a '96 Buick Regal let me tell you that based on that experience I swore I would never buy another GM vehicle. The Aura is what made me consider them again.
What I like:
The 3.6 engine w/6sp
Fairly modern styling (though it does look like TL)
Great looking interior (plus it has their newer radio system with the aux input jack)
Side marker lights
What I disklike:
The tailights. They just can't let go of circles can they, only now with triangular Prelude lights. And no LEDs? Cost-cutting at its finest
No fog lights on the LT. Again more pennies being shaved.
Deal breaker for me:
If they copy the same height and door entry dimensions as the Aura I will have to take the Malibu off my shopping list. On the Aura I smacked my head three times when testing it out due to its smaller entry. The interior also felt very tight compared to the Camry and Sonata.
Also if they copy the Aura's use of hard plastic on the door frame I won't be impressed.