2008 Malibu @ NAIAS

[MikeMike]

http://i10.tinypic.com/307ozn6.jpg

Chevrolet to unveil all-new 2008 Malibu in January

DETROIT, Mich. ? Chevrolet confirmed today that the all-new 2008 Malibu will be unveiled in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and released a sneak peek of one of the car?s available two-tone interiors, which demonstrates a new level of refinement in the extremely competitive mid-size car segment.

?The next-generation Chevrolet Malibu's interior showcases the precision and detailed execution that will differentiate it among the mid-size car segment,? said Ed Peper, Chevrolet General Manager. ?The 2008 Chevy Malibu will offer a number of striking and progressive interiors that use premium materials to demonstrate quality and value not seen before in this segment.?

In the sneak peek photograph, the roomier Malibu cabin showcases Chevy's classic dual cockpit design.

The new Malibu builds on the success of its current model, which garnered many awards such as the 2005 J.D. Power Initial Quality Award and the 2006 Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ?Top Safety Picks? silver medal.

 

[maximus maximus]

very nice.... love that combo of colors..

 

[RagingBITCH]

So they finally made an interior that resembles what the Japanese have been doing for years. Including high quality, non-cheapo hard plastic. Wow.

 

[PCMarine]

Meh...

GM parts-bin steering wheel and radio/climate control module
plastic painted to look like metal
HUGE gauges
Ugly color scheme

 

[MikeMike]

Originally posted by: PCMarine
Meh...

GM parts-bin steering wheel and radio/climate control module
plastic painted to look like metal
HUGE gauges
Ugly color scheme

painted plastic? you mean the red?

is painted plastic not how 99% of ALL cars are?

if you havent used the new radio, you would not realise it has the good tatile feel you want, and it has a very very good function.

color is personal choice...

huge guages, because you saw the outside of them? there are prolly 2 or 3 guages in some of those pods.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
So they finally made an interior that resembles what the Japanese have been doing for years. Including high quality, non-cheapo hard plastic. Wow.

I'm just dying to know, WTF do you get out of a padded dashboard? I've had cars with and without, and to tell you the truth, that's right behind the size of the oil pan drain plug as far as ranking when I purchase a car.

 

[iversonyin]

WOW, looks like they finally get a clue from the Saturn Aura. This looks so much better than the 2006 Malibu I drove. The 2006 was a POS. Look like GM want its market share back for real.

 

[Ktulu]

Normally I have the problem with the corporate radio/hvac setup (as seen in every single GM car) but it actually works perfectly in this one. Between the Aura and the upcoming Malibu the Camry might actually have something to worry about.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE
In the sneak peek photograph, the roomier Malibu cabin showcases Chevy's classic dual cockpit design.

The 1958 Thunderbird called, and wants it's interior design concept back.

 

[cyclistca]

To bad the outside looks like crap

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
So they finally made an interior that resembles what the Japanese have been doing for years. Including high quality, non-cheapo hard plastic. Wow.

I'm just dying to know, WTF do you get out of a padded dashboard? I've had cars with and without, and to tell you the truth, that's right behind the size of the oil pan drain plug as far as ranking when I purchase a car.

Just looks and feels overall a lot better. Different people have different tastes. *Obviously*, GM wouldn't have gone through the trouble of improving and making a rather nice looking interior if it wasn't high on consumer's wants.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
So they finally made an interior that resembles what the Japanese have been doing for years. Including high quality, non-cheapo hard plastic. Wow.

I'm just dying to know, WTF do you get out of a padded dashboard? I've had cars with and without, and to tell you the truth, that's right behind the size of the oil pan drain plug as far as ranking when I purchase a car.

Just looks and feels overall a lot better. Different people have different tastes. *Obviously*, GM wouldn't have gone through the trouble of improving and making a rather nice looking interior if it wasn't high on consumer's wants.

Looks are a non-issue since they look exactly the same. Regarding touch, I cannot think of the last time I stroked my dashboard for any reason. Why would I need to?

 

[mercanucaribe]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
So they finally made an interior that resembles what the Japanese have been doing for years. Including high quality, non-cheapo hard plastic. Wow.

I'm just dying to know, WTF do you get out of a padded dashboard? I've had cars with and without, and to tell you the truth, that's right behind the size of the oil pan drain plug as far as ranking when I purchase a car.

Just looks and feels overall a lot better. Different people have different tastes. *Obviously*, GM wouldn't have gone through the trouble of improving and making a rather nice looking interior if it wasn't high on consumer's wants.

Looks are a non-issue since they look exactly the same. Regarding touch, I cannot think of the last time I stroked my dashboard for any reason. Why would I need to?

Because how it looks is affected by the material it's made of. You'll never touch the roof of your car, so why don't you strip off the carpeting so it's bare metal?

 

[RagingBITCH]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
So they finally made an interior that resembles what the Japanese have been doing for years. Including high quality, non-cheapo hard plastic. Wow.

I'm just dying to know, WTF do you get out of a padded dashboard? I've had cars with and without, and to tell you the truth, that's right behind the size of the oil pan drain plug as far as ranking when I purchase a car.

Just looks and feels overall a lot better. Different people have different tastes. *Obviously*, GM wouldn't have gone through the trouble of improving and making a rather nice looking interior if it wasn't high on consumer's wants.

Looks are a non-issue since they look exactly the same. Regarding touch, I cannot think of the last time I stroked my dashboard for any reason. Why would I need to?

Again, different tastes. We all know you're a Jeep guy, why would you give a crap about dashboard/interior materials/quality? And FYI, you can tell the texture/quality by looks.

 

[Corporate Thug]

need a pic of the gauges...

 

[PricklyPete]

Looks promising. The colors are not my thing, but the lines are very nice and with the right color combo would definitely suite me just fine.

I saw some spy shots of the exterior and it looked nice as well. Lets hope they don't screw that up as the current model sucks looks wise. If they put all of that in there with their smooth 3.6 liter V6 and a smooth 4 cylinder...we have a winner (oh yeah...and match the steering to the Aura's steering...the current steering sucks).

I'm looking forward to this car. There is a good chance something like this could become my fiance's next car in a few years.

 

[foghorn67]

I'd hit it.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

As long as it doesn't have the big ugly headlights of the current one I can see them selling more.

 

[Pocatello]

The current Malibu is perfect for the rental fleet, plain and cheap looking.

 

[Ktulu]

Originally posted by: cyclistca
To bad the outside looks like crap

Too bad they haven't released any officials pics on the new exterior. :roll:

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82

Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
So they finally made an interior that resembles what the Japanese have been doing for years. Including high quality, non-cheapo hard plastic. Wow.

I'm just dying to know, WTF do you get out of a padded dashboard? I've had cars with and without, and to tell you the truth, that's right behind the size of the oil pan drain plug as far as ranking when I purchase a car.

Except that you aren't gazing over the oil pan drain plug everytime you get behind the wheel of your car...

BTW-What's the exterior of it look like?

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: MIKEMIKE

Originally posted by: PCMarine
Meh...

GM parts-bin steering wheel and radio/climate control module
plastic painted to look like metal
HUGE gauges
Ugly color scheme

painted plastic? you mean the red?

is painted plastic not how 99% of ALL cars are?

if you havent used the new radio, you would not realise it has the good tatile feel you want, and it has a very very good function.

color is personal choice...

huge guages, because you saw the outside of them? there are prolly 2 or 3 guages in some of those pods.

Translation of PCMarine's statement:

Chevy? No matter how many improvements are made, even if it is a direct clone of a Japanese-made vehicle, I will never recognize said changes. I will forever be a hopeless bigot, so please ignore my statements and opinions because they truly hold no weight, truth or reason.

Your's sincerely,

PC Marine

 

[Mermaidman]

Hmm, if that photo is any indicator of the next Malibu, I might have to add it to the list of cars I'd buy, especially if GM retains the 'Maxx' hatchback.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: Ktulu

Originally posted by: cyclistca
To bad the outside looks like crap

Too bad they haven't released any officials pics on the new exterior. :roll:

 

[CFster]

Meh, it looks nice, but I'm sure will follow the GM tradition of falling apart just out of the showroom.