It’s not a secret anymore that Chevrolet is working on a significant refresh for its Malibu sedan, although the current generation model launched less than three years ago. While a previous report quoted GM’s product development chief Mark Reuss as saying the car will feature dramatic styling, the executive has now offered more details.
“You are going to be blown away styling-wise. I think it is more true to what Chevrolet should be. Think about Impala. It’s not luxury, but it is more than what you thought you would get for that price. That is what Chevrolet should be and you will see that in the Malibu,” Reuss said at the Detroit Auto Show.
GM vice president of global design Ed Welburn was more generous with the details and revealed that the new Malibu will feature design cues from the Corvette Stingray.
“When you look at the Malibu’s taillamps you can see a hint of Corvette Stingray. You see it in the form vocabulary in the body side. It has flare. It has spirit. It has tension,” Welburn told Edmunds. He added that future Chevrolets will no longer be boring and will have “spirit and energy.”
Besides the improved styling, the upcoming Malibu will feature better driving dynamics and superior rear-seat legroom and front-seat hip room. Targeting rivals like the Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry, the new Malibu will launch in early 2016.
The current generation model has seen sales stumble since its debut in 2012, with sales falling 7 percent in 2014.
Note: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco pictured
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