Autoblog: Cover Blown: Say hello to the 2008 Chevy Malibu

[Tide]

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Chevrolet

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The folks over at Inside Line appear to have an itchy trigger finger, and as such, the embargo on the 2008 Chevy Malibu is toast. Given the spate of vaporized embargoes we've seen over the last week or so, this is about as surprising as the sun rising in the morning. That said, we're more than happy to bring you all the skinny on GM's new midsize sedan now that the cat's out of the bag.

 

Like the Saturn Aura, the all-new Malibu rides on the 112-inch wheelbase Epsilon platform. Given that we've driven the Aura and liked it very much, this bodes well for the new Chevy. We'd been wondering how GM would differentiate the two cars, and now we can tell you more about that. While the Saturn comes in two trim levels with V6 power only (3.5 or 3.6), the Malibu will be offered with three trim levels -- LS, LT, and LTZ -- with power coming from either a 164-horse 2.4L Ecotec or the very capable 252 HP 3.6L V6 with VVT.

 

If you think that the top-level Malibu LTZ is a V6-only car, you're wrong. The 2.4L four cylinder is available for all three trim levels, and when selected for the LTZ, it's mated to GM's Hydra-Matic 6T40 automatic with wheel-mounted shift paddles. (On LS and LT models, the four-banger is hooked up to a four-speed auto.) As with the Aura, the 3.6L is connected to the Hydra-Matic 6T70.

 

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Follow the jump for more analysis, and be sure to check out more shots of Chevy's new 'Bu in our photo gallery.

 

[source: GM]Continue reading Cover Blown: Say hello to the 2008 Chevy Malibu

 

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[rzar]

Can we say reskinned G6?

[jalterio]

I saw the update in this months Motor trend. I will take a closer look at this car at the Chicago Auto show, that is for sure. Even though it is front wheel drive, I like the stats:

 

3.6 HF v6 engine from GM- lots of good reviews from the CTS and G6

6 speed automatic

Expected to "best-in-class" for interior room.

Hopefully, a better looking interior, fresh interior, upgraded fit/finish

Affordable alternative to the Accord, Camry?

Loaded with safety features.

[wukindada]

They need a SS version......

5.3L 350HP

 

RWD

 

True it will be hard for them to make a profit on a SS model if it were brought to production for under 35k but they have to do it to pull the sedan line out of the Abyss....

[bosco]

Can we say reskinned G6?

 

does that make it bad? look at Legacy/Outback or Impreza/Forester they all do it you just hope they start with a good platform. bosco

[BigJack]

More boring GM Looks like a bloated cobalt... Actually it looks like the new saturn, More Gm CArbage. I have been a chevy guy all my life and you couldn't get me into a dealership