Richard Drew/Associated Press 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco.Shown on Wednesday: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.
Is it real? General Motors plans to have the Malibu for sale in more than 100 countries on six continents in early 2012. However, residents of Antarctica will have to settle for gray-market unofficial imports.
What they said: “The exterior design of the all-new Malibu carries DNA from its sister vehicles, the Camaro and Corvette, to bring a sporty sensibility to the family sedan segment,” Bryan Nesbitt, G.M.’s executive director of exterior design, said in a press release.
What they didn’t say: It may look sporty, but the new Malibu won’t offer the 252-horsepower V-6 available in the current Malibu.
What makes it tick? Most of the G.M. Epsilon chassis is carried over, and all models — with the exception of the Eco — are powered by a new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 190 horsepower, and the engine is mated to a standard 6-speed automatic transaxle. The new Malibu Eco uses a direct-injection version of the current 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, with a 6-speed automatic supplemented by the light-hybrid eAssist system. Chevrolet says that the Malibu Eco is good for an E.P.A.-rated 26 m.p.g. in the city and 38 m.p.g. on the highway.
How much? How soon? Prices shouldn’t differ much from the 2011 models, with the base Malibu LS starting at just about $22,000 when it goes on sale early next year. Pricing for the Eco will be announced closer to when it goes on sale.
How’s it look? There is some Camaro in the new Malibu’s appearance, particularly the taillight shapes and dashboard design — and even a bit of 1970 Chevelle Malibu in the shape of the side windows. It’s also three inches wider than the prior model, which imparts a more athletic stance, and has four additional cubic feet of interior room despite a slightly shorter wheelbase.
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Slide Show: 2011 New York Auto Show
Brad Spurgeon, a longtime auto racing reporter based in Paris, discusses all things about Formula One: the competition, the gossip, the technology and the politics. Join him in the virtual paddock.