Nor could General Motors CEO Dan "Do It Yesterday" Akerson. He pushed Chevy to accelerate development by six months. It takes roughly three years to develop a car, from planning to production, so slicing six months is a big deal.
Result: The 2013 Malibu goes on sale in the first quarter next year with just one drivetrain: a mild hybrid system that GM calls eAssist. Chevy will market it as the Malibu Eco. GM's Buick brand also uses eAssist.
Compared to the current Malibu, the all-new 2013 Malibu is nearly three inches (76 mm) wider and has:
More than 1.5 inches (38 mm) greater front shoulder room and 3.5 inches (89 mm) greater rear shoulder room.
2.7 inches (68 mm) more front hip room and 2.8 inches (71 mm) of additional rear hip room.
Nearly four cubic feet (113 L) of additional interior volume.
More than one additional cubic foot (28 L) of usable trunk capacity: 16.3 cu. ft. / 462 L (14.3 cu. ft. / 405 L on Eco).
And with Chevrolet MyLink, the new Malibu packs the connectivity of a smartphone, with online services like Pandora ® internet radio and Stitcher SmartRadio ®, as well as the safety of hands-free operation of mobile phone apps. MyLink is simple, safe and connected.
At a glance: The new Malibu’s interior gives customers a touch of luxury, with premium features, high quality materials and easy-to-use technology. It incorporates a more subtle take on Chevrolet’s signature dual cockpit design and features a flowing, uninterrupted theme that reinforces its greater spaciousness. The “center stack” is integrated with the instrument panel, for example, which runs into the front door panels. A richer complement of details throughout the cabin – including high-tech lighting elements – and high-quality materials support the Malibu’s more sophisticated presence.
A “dual cockpit zone” mid-instrument panel flows through the doors and enhances the feeling of spaciousness. On most models, it is trimmed with a three-dimensional “tipped” grain surface typically found on luxury cars that enables unique, dual dimensional layers of color and tactility.
The center stack sweeps forward and away , enhancing the feeling of spaciousness.
Available seven-inch touch screen with full-color interface display that swivels up to reveal a six-inch-deep (152 mm) hidden and illuminated storage compartment deep enough to stow phones, wallets or even a small purse.
Control knobs, switches and touch points feature firm, tactile operation and, with certain controls, a higher-quality chrome finish that accent Malibu’s premium appointments.
Metallic, chrome or wood accents , depending on the model, are located around the shifter, surrounding the center stack, around the instrument cluster and on doors and the steering wheel.
Soft, ice blue ambient lighting illuminates control knobs and storage areas. Ambient IP and door lighting uses light-pipe technology to ensure even, consistent illumination on Eco, LT and LTZ models.
Three-point steering wheel tilts and telescopes and includes redundant audio and cruise controls, as well as controls for OnStar and Bluetooth.
Auxiliary input jack and USB port in center console and a 250-watt amplifier, nine speaker Pioneer Premium Sound System system available on LT, LTZ and Eco models.
Split-folding 60/40 rear seatback on all models for convenience and additional storage capacity.
Four interior cloth and leather color combinations available: Jet Black, Jet Black and Dark Titanium, Cocoa and Light Neutral or Jet Black and Brownstone leather (available on LTZ only).
Four option packages: Package 1 (Power Convenience): cargo net, auto-dimming mirror, rearview backup camera, remote start, eight-way driver seat with lumbar control, universal garage door opener; Package 2 (Premium Audio) adds: fog lamps, leather-wrapped shifter knob, Pioneer nine-speaker audio system with high-output amplifier; Package 3 (Leather) adds: heated front seats, eight-way passenger seat with lumbar control, leather-trimmed seating; Package 4 (Navigation) adds: memory seats and mirrors, navigation system, driver’s window with express-up feature.
In the Malibu Eco, a power flow display in the driver information center – or the center console screen when equipped with the navigation system – indicates which of the following modes the vehicle is operating in:
Battery charging – the eAssist motor is charging the high-voltage battery when the vehicle is slowing
Electric assist – the eAssist motor is providing electric power boost to the engine
Auto-Stop – the vehicle is stopped, the engine has automatically shut off and is ready to automatically restart when needed.
Driver-selectable modes are offered to enable maximum comfort or efficiency of the air conditioning system and include:
Eco mode – which maximizes the frequency and duration of Auto-Stop, while providing excellent cabin comfort
Comfort mode – reduces the frequency and duration of Auto-Stop to maximize cabin cabin comfort.
“There is a high level of functional fashion throughout the Malibu’s interior,” said Crystal Windham, director, Passenger Car Interior Design. “We didn’t look at one thing, we looked at everything to make the new Malibu a car that would stand out around the world.”
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