I don't see a Thread here with Links to some spy pics, so here are some that I've found. I'm too lazy to upload to Photobucket and post the pics right now though, lol.

http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2010/08/spy-photos-2012-chevy-malibu.html#more

http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/2010/06/spy-photo-2012-chevrolet-malibu-summering-in-michigan.html

http://www.leftlanenews.com/photos/chevrolet-malibu-2012-picture-1-0.html

I'm interested to see how it'll turn out.

Considering the '08 Malibu was to me the first worthy modern "Malibu" built by GM, this will be what to me is the sophomore effort. If they nail this one, the Malibu could become quite a leader in the mid-size-econ segment.

It looks noticeably shorter, and doesn't seem to have that ultra high hipline and almost "chop top" look of the current Malibu, with the extra slim greenhouse. It does look wider though. I'll reserve styling comments until I see it in proper pics, and better yet in person.

Those headlights better be projectors and be the same dimensions as the other new body style ones so we can finally have projectors too

To me, the current generation Malibu has a sort of a timeless beauty to it. It's hard to imagine topping it. I hope they don't mess it up too much.

Well, I like the squared taillights better. But that hole in the rear bumper on the right side reminds me of a beemer. I don't like it 'cuz to use whatever's behind it means having to disassemble a painted component of the car and can lead to paint damage.

I think they are projectors, who knows if they'll be standard or optional though. I'd assume standard.

That rear hole in the bumper is a tow hitch correct?

Yeah, the current Malibu is really a nice car. Although mine spends most of its time completely dirty, I still sometimes will walk up to it, or see it, and really notice how good it looks, and how well it can play with light/shadow.

It definitely can be wider, which the new one will be. But I do like how loong it looks, gives it a more substantial and premium look in its segment IMO. The new one seems to have more traditional proportions so far.

I posted in the 2012 interior shots topic as well, so figured I'd see more spy shots of the outside.

The more I look at it, the less bad it looks... that's the thought that runs through my mind. It's not bad... but, it's not good in my opinion.

The current Malibu was, as many people have stated, the only "modern" Malibu that deserved the name and to change it, while business-wise might be necessary, would be taking a big big risk (personally).

The front keeps making me stare (and plenty of others) even without projectors. The sides inspire a luxury look with the way the lines sit, the subtle accents (that chromey/shiney strip at the bottom of the doors). The back, while not -perfect- (although what is?), is amazing enough such that putting any sort of spoiler (short of the lip spoiler bump GM offers) takes away from the look rather than enhancing it... and that's a pretty amazing feat these days.


The 2012 looks to me like a Malibu and a Lexus boinked each other and this would be the offspring. That's good in the sense that Lexus is a luxury brand and the Malibu back end looks very similar to some, the front end looks like it will have projectors and a new grille, the sides are still sitting very nicely... but, it's also bad in the sense that it's not a Lexus, it's a Chevy Malibu; it needs not to look so similar to other cars and instead do what it did in '08-'11 and make it's own style that other cars mimic.

I don't know if that makes sense, but to me, the 2012 has a lot of similarities to a lot of Lexus' that I've seen and while it makes the car look a little closer to a luxury (ish) car, it also detracts from it's uniqueness, which is by far worse in my opinion.

NOTE:

I don't know if I really said it clear in the last post. I DO LIKE this new 2012 Malibu. I think it looks nice and it's a step up for Chevy in trying to make cars that are class competitors.

I just don't think it's a step forward for the Malibu name. Perhaps another name, but I don't think it fits the Malibu name.

Gross wheels :( The ONLY stock wheels I like on any of the Malibu's are the chrometech? grey ones I think they only had in 2008 and the ones that come on the current LTZ.

You can tell this is a photoshop but it looks cool.

http://www.2012malibu.us/2012-Malibu-chevy.jpg

You can tell this is a photoshop but it looks cool.

http://www.2012malibu.us/2012-Malibu-chevy.jpg

That is an old Gen 7 concept from around 2006/2007.

I'm with you Starship. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Recent article on Car & Driver shows the least camo yet, and some great shots of the interior.

http://www.caranddriver.com/news/car/10q1/2012_chevrolet_malibu-spied

http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/news/car/10q1/2012_chevrolet_malibu-spied/gallery/2012_chevrolet_malibu_28spy_photo_29_photo_37/4201937-1-eng-US/2012_chevrolet_malibu_priddy_spy_shot_902_cd_galle ry.jpg

I think it will be an attractive evolution of the current model, without necessarily making the current one look outdated or less attractive. Kind of like how the previous gen Acura TL is still very respected, or the C2 Corvette vs C3.

Looks like Chevy used some design cues from the Pontiac G8. Not bad, but def. domestic.

I am glad that, so far, the 2012 model looks like a step down from the current generation :)

Now I can enjoy my '10 longer :D

Is it safe to assume ( I know what Ass U Me stands for) that the new generation will be on the same platform as the new Lacrosse or Regal? If so that might be a good progression.

Is it safe to assume ( I know what Ass U Me stands for) that the new generation will be on the same platform as the new Lacrosse or Regal? If so that might be a good progression.

Yup, it will be.

I am glad that, so far, the 2012 model looks like a step down from the current generation :)

Now I can enjoy my '10 longer :D

Have you seen a finalized '12 that nobody else has? :D All the pics so far, including the one above are mules and are not too close to production cars. My bet is it will look better. Thankfully it will have a better chassis too.

Have you seen a finalized '12 that nobody else has? :D All the pics so far, including the one above are mules and are not too close to production cars. My bet is it will look better. Thankfully it will have a better chassis too.


IIRC, it will ride on the 108" Epsilon II chassis right?

SilverLTZ - I said "so far". I do agree with you though... Once they show the final car it could be A LOT better. I just hope I do not like it more because I just purchased mine. LOL.

The actual car, the construction, the sum of its pars will certainly be a nice step up. Styling wise, I don't see a shape that's appealing me, but it certainly won't be ugly or a "miss" I think. The current car, although a little awkward in proportions, can look downright stunning in a handsome sense when equipped like one I saw yesterday: LTZ (silver grille and accents, etc.), nice spokey wheels, and some pearl-ish looking White paint.... Really made me turn my head.

I think it's a very stately and confident/handsome car, which is saying A LOT for an Affordable Midsize Sedan. It looks a lot more mature and timeless than, say, the goofy yet fun and stylized new Sonata and Optima.

My car is about to pass 50K Miles, and it's been SO GOOD to me, but I'm feeling the urge to replace it with something else, but I keep talking myself out of it (or the car actually talks me out of it). I've spent SO much money on cars in the past few years, I should really just keep it simple and keep it for now.

K-A you should keep it....for now :)

I think that's what I'm gonna do. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpqr4_ONew0&feature=related


Pause around 16 or 17 seconds into the video. You'll see the grille of the new Malibu.

Guys, stop saying the "new" Malibu looks like this or that. NOBODY has seen anything but test mules, so to say it isn't as nice or it is nicer makes no sense. All you are doing is confusing people about a car that doesn't exist. All recent posts pertaining to this were removed....

Guys, stop saying the "new" Malibu looks like this or that. NOBODY has seen anything but test mules, so to say it isn't as nice or it is nicer makes no sense. All you are doing is confusing people about a car that doesn't exist. All recent posts pertaining to this were removed....


My video I posted contains the actual grille; it's about 99% accurate. It's been confirmed on GMI.

My video I posted contains the actual grille; it's about 99% accurate. It's been confirmed on GMI.

I do know that for one, I'm not crazy about the new grille language. Like the Cruze, it appears a bit fussier and more cartoon-y. The current Malibu has a very handsome and serious-yet-approachable grille, especially for (and the latter description, fitting to) a car of this Class.