Today I saw some 2011 Malibu 2LT at my dealer and I noticed that the ones with the V6 package come with a new model 18 inch chrome wheels so I took a picture with my phone. I also took a picture of 17'' chrome wheel and the new shifter showing the manual shifting button (left side of the shifter) replacing the steering wheel paddles. The unlock button to move the shifter is now in front of the shifter. Finally, the only other change I found is that there is no more Homelink.

18'' Wheels

http://a.imageshack.us/img37/4815/18inch.jpg

17'' Wheels

http://a.imageshack.us/img837/8867/17inch.jpg

The new shifter

http://a.imageshack.us/img839/6370/img0054b.jpg

Don't care for the new shifter, but the rims should have been standard on all LTZ;s from the beginning :(

Why is this in Generation 5&6? Moving to Generation 7.

Those wheels aren't new, they came out in late '09. They are both "Chrometechs". They are on the LT's. I almost bought a 2LT V6 with them. They are not real chrome wheels, just plastic covers glued on a wheel.

As for the shifter, odd looking. Like mine better.

Today I saw some 2011 Malibu 2LT at my dealer and I noticed that the ones with the V6 package come with a new model 18 inch chrome wheels so I took a picture with my phone. I also took a picture of 17'' chrome wheel and the new shifter showing the manual shifting button (left side of the shifter) replacing the steering wheel paddles. The unlock button to move the shifter is now in front of the shifter. Finally, the only other change I found is that there is no more Homelink.

18'' Wheels

http://a.imageshack.us/img37/4815/18inch.jpg

17'' Wheels

http://a.imageshack.us/img837/8867/17inch.jpg

The new shifter

http://a.imageshack.us/img839/6370/img0054b.jpg

The 17 inch version of the LT2 Chrome wheels became standard in 2010. I have an LT2 with those wheels. However, the Optional 18 Inch version of these wheels is new for 2011. In 2010, the optional 18 inch wheel was polished aluminum. I think this is a good change for 2011. I really like the chrome wheels and I think it's a good change that they offer them both on the 17 inch and 18 inch wheels.

Don't care for the new shifter, but the rims should have been standard on all LTZ;s from the beginning :(

I believe the Chrometec Wheels are only offered on the LT2. I don't think they changed the LTZ wheels for 2011.

The 17 inch version of the LT2 Chrome wheels became standard in 2010. I have an LT2 with those wheels. However, the Optional 18 Inch version of these wheels is new for 2011. In 2010, the optional 18 inch wheel was polished aluminum. I think this is a good change for 2011. I really like the chrome wheels and I think it's a good change that they offer them both on the 17 inch and 18 inch wheels.

Your incorrect, the 18" version is not new for 2011, it was available since late 2009. I almost bought a car with them, and members on here have them as well. They actually aren't even new wheels at all, they are the old G6 GXP wheels.

I believe the Chrometec Wheels are only offered on the LT2. I don't think they changed the LTZ wheels for 2011.

Correct....

Both wheel designs look pretty nice to me.

The only real issue I'd have with chrome-plated plastic on wheels is when any service is being done on them. Tire rotation "techs" already don't take care of my locking lug nuts and aluminum wheels. I can only imagine what'd happen to soft plastic, especially if they don't think that there's plastic under that shiny exterior.

Looks good but longeivity is questionable.

The only real issue I'd have with chrome-plated plastic on wheels is when any service is being done on them. Tire rotation "techs" already don't take care of my locking lug nuts and aluminum wheels. I can only imagine what'd happen to soft plastic, especially if they don't think that there's plastic under that shiny exterior.

Looks good but longeivity is questionable.

I hear you on those techs, I make sure to make it known I want them to be careful and keep a close eye on them.

I hear you on those techs, I make sure to make it known I want them to be careful and keep a close eye on them.

I've had my car serviced exclusively by the dealership, including LOF and tire rotation. When the finance person calls and gets my approval for the dollar amount on the check to discontinue their obligation to service my car then I'll do maintenance where I choose, and warranty issues will be at another dealership altogether!

Even with their "Mr. Goodwrench" training and the fact that they're the only ones who've serviced my vehicle they've damaged my locking lug nuts and the key even though I've always told the service writer to have them use only hand tools on the lock.

My experience with asking a tech to be careful with your stuff needing a little extra care is like expecting a missile to not explode upon reaching its target. It's just better not to fire the missile, or in this case, to not have that kind of equipment that they can damage so easily.

Sorry if I'm cynical about this subject but I've recently learned (re-learned!) this lesson, and not in a good way.

Your incorrect, the 18" version is not new for 2011, it was available since late 2009. I almost bought a car with them, and members on here have them as well. They actually aren't even new wheels at all, they are the old G6 GXP wheels.

I'm talking about changes for the Malibu. And I'm just going by the brochure and the published list of changes for 2011. One of the changes listed for 2011 for the LT2 is Chrometec Wheels for the optional 18 inch wheels (V6 Package). And in the 2010 brochure, it says that the optional 18 inch wheels for the LT2 was polished aluminum. Someone posted the list of changes for 2011 a couple of months ago and this was listed as one of the changes for the 2011 LT2. I also found a website that I attached that lists the changes for 2011 and the 18 in Chrometec wheels are listed for the LT2.

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/chevrolet/2011-chevrolet-malibu-ar92432.html

I'm talking about changes for the Malibu. And I'm just going by the brochure and the published list of changes for 2011. One of the changes listed for 2011 for the LT2 is Chrometec Wheels for the optional 18 inch wheels (V6 Package). And in the 2010 brochure, it says that the optional 18 inch wheels for the LT2 was polished aluminum. Someone posted the list of changes for 2011 a couple of months ago and this was listed as one of the changes for the 2011 LT2. I also found a website that I attached that lists the changes for 2011 and the 18 in Chrometec wheels are listed for the LT2.

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/chevrolet/2011-chevrolet-malibu-ar92432.html

Brochures are printed in masses before a car comes out. So when changes are made mid year they get "lost" sometimes. As for what you read on the internet, well no need for me to get into that.

A style of wheel was dropped and those are one of the only choices for '11. BUT as I said, those "chrometech" 18" wheels have been an option on the LT2 V6 for well over a year, and are not new. Chevy just "borrowed" them from Pontiac. They were first used on the G6 GXP as I have said before.

Today I saw some 2011 Malibu 2LT at my dealer and I noticed that the ones with the V6 package come with a new model 18 inch chrome wheels so I took a picture with my phone. I also took a picture of 17'' chrome wheel and the new shifter showing the manual shifting button (left side of the shifter) replacing the steering wheel paddles. The unlock button to move the shifter is now in front of the shifter. Finally, the only other change I found is that there is no more Homelink.The new shifter

I'm disappointed about the shifter. Reminds me of the shifter on my 2004 Malibu. GM is going back to their old ways... decontenting models instead of making improvements. I personally don't like the chrome rims, I like the polished aluminum on my car.

i actually like the new shifter. i have tried using the paddle shifters on the malibu and really do not like them. i prefer the floor mounted version on my parents 2010 vw jetta. feels more natural and allows me to shift while turning the wheel.

the glued on covers to me are dumbest idea ever. you cant refinish the whole rim for a simple scratch. plus they are plastic so they can be easily cracked.

deleting homelink was another one. i do not even think it was homelink making the garage opener anyway. no where in the owners manual for my 2010 malibu refer to it as a homelink garage opener, they just leave homelink out.

Alan

deleting homelink was another one. i do not even think it was homelink making the garage opener anyway. no where in the owners manual for my 2010 malibu refer to it as a homelink garage opener, they just leave homelink out.

Alan

It wan't Homelink. I can't remember who it was, but it wasn't made by Homelink.

It wan't Homelink. I can't remember who it was, but it wasn't made by Homelink.

thats what i thought