2013 Chevrolet Malibu Debuts in Shanghai

Though it won’t make its New York debut for a few days, the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu debuted at the Shanghai auto show last night. This redesigned midsize sedan has a lot riding on it.

Bloomberg says, “General Motors Co. (GM) redesigned its Chevrolet Malibu with better fuel economy and sportier looks as the automaker seeks to regain sales in the U.S. and improve the Chevy brand’s global reputation.”

Whereas the current Malibu is only sold in a few markets, Chevrolet intends the 2013 model to be a truly global car. The Detroit Free Press writes, “The new Malibu replaces an acclaimed midsize sedan that reinvigorated Chevrolet car sales and helped the brand compete with best-sellers such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Chevy now wants to expand the sedan's appeal to more than 100 countries around the world.”

USA Today says the 2013 Malibu has what people have come to expect from the current Malibu, and then some. “Though new, it comes across as an improved version of the current Malibu, which has held up well in the intensely competitive midsize segment.” When it debuted, the current-generation Malibu was North American Car of the Year, so the 2013 model has some big tires to fill.

Though the changes seem more evolutionary than revolutionary, the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu has several features that set it apart from the midsize pack. The Malibu will be powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder that Chevy says is more efficient and powerful than the outgoing four-cylinder engines. Like the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, there will be no V6 option. The engine will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Also helping with fuel economy is more aerodynamic styling. Jeanne Merchant, GM’s Line Director for Global Midsize cars says that the Malibu has fuel economy-boosting features, like air shutters in the grille, which Chevrolet developed on the high-mpg Chevrolet Cruze Eco.

Inside, the Malibu has a redesigned cabin, including a seven-inch touchscreen radio face (on all but the base models) that hides a six-inch deep storage compartment. The 2013 Malibu will also feature MyLink, an infotainment system that allows users to connect to internet radio services like Pandora. There’s four cubic feet more passenger space than in the current Malibu.

The 2013 Malibu has also pushed the class’ envelope on safety. Available lane departure and forward collision warning systems are features usually seen only in upscale midsize cars. However, pricing on the 2013 Malibu hasn’t been announced yet. Opting for the extra safety features could push the price up toward luxury car territory.