CHEVROLET MALIBU test drive since 2012 sedan

Dear, I reduced the car!

We get acquainted with the new flagship of the Chevrolet brand Sedan Malibu.

The new Chevrolet Malibu is the eighth generation of a model with a sweet beach name. For the first time, Malibu was presented almost half a century ago: in 1964. And with each generation, the sedan fired: first lost large engines, then exchanged a classic rear -wheel drive on the budget front, and in the eighth knee it became just another variation of the Opel Insignia platform. However, in the Russian and European markets, the dried Malibu flagship, the most modern and advanced car of the brand. Apart from, of course, Tahoe and Camaro.

Even an emaciated by the downsus method Malibu, he was still ivory. The length of the car is 4865 millimeters: Toyota Camry and Skoda Superb is significantly smaller, and this Shevy does not reach only three millimeters to Mercedes-Benz E-class! In general, it is still great.

But the trouble for the first time in the history of the model is not laid for him not that the V8 is not even a V6 motor!

Brief History of the devaluation of Chevrolet Malibu

The only four -cylinder engine available to us 2.4 (167 forces, 225 Nm). A proven, but not a new unit at all: the predecessors of this motor were installed on General Motors cars in the last century. The six-speed automatic transmission of own production Hydra-Matic 6t is also well known. In conjunction with the same engine 2.4, it works, for example, on the Chevrolet Captiva crossover.


In this generation Malibu is only a sedan. But the next generation model, which will appear in 2015, will be available in the back of the station wagon

In America, however, Malibu has something more powerful: there are two more atmospheric 2.5 (200 horsepower, 259 nm) and two-liter turbocharged (262 horsepower, 352 Nm). But they are also four -cylinder no V6. Game Over.


The roof of Malibu in the rear is higher than that of the single -platform Opel Insignia, so those sitting on the back sofa do not propon the ceiling with their heads

The new Malibu was created on the relatively fresh platform of Epsilon II. She was borrowed from Chevrolet not from anyone, but from a car of the year 2009 Opel Insignia. Prior to this, Saab 9-5 in Sweden, Buick Regal and Lacrosse in the States and Daewoo Alpheon in Korea have already been built on a similar cart. And now the American.


Malibu looks solid. It is no wonder that Chevrolet hope to interest their car in Russia primarily corporate clients

Together with the modern platform, Malibu received a rather catchy appearance. Let the sedan seem awkward from some angles, but this is no longer the gray mouse Epica. A solid radiator grille and rear lights like Camaro were especially successful.

There is some resemblance to the legendary sportskup in the cabin. Like Camaro, the Malibu dashboard is made in the form of two square bells. On this, however, the analogies end. But both in design and ergonomics, and most importantly, there are no complaints about the quality to Malibu. In the line of Chevrolet, this interior is perhaps the most pleasant. Seats are quite convenient, a person will find a good setting range of any complexion.


Camaro dashboard (from above) and Malibu

The sedan will be delivered to Russia in the only but rather rich LTZ configuration. It includes 18-inch wheels, leather interior, front chairs, non-clock access system, rear parking, multimedia system with a seven-inch touch screen, nine speakers, voice control and the possibility of music playback with USB and SD carriers. And in a huge (545 liters) trunk will be a full -size reserve (though on a 17 -inch steel disk).

Interior


Malibu interior is the best in the Chevrolet lineup. Both in execution and the quality of materials. Ergonomics and landing are very similar to Opel Insignia.


With a seven -inch touch display, you can manage music navigation and telephone. You can view photos from flash drive or SD cards.


The automatic lever in shape resembles Ophevsky and prevents him from reaching the handbrake button. The manual mode is turned on by swinging the lever down.

But this generous equipment has a very fierce price tag of 1,285,000 rubles. It is clear why the Russian representative office GM does not expect hurricane for a new Malibu: a sales plan of about 600 cars, which is comparable to the same epic. The task of the flagship sedan is just to stake up a place in the business class sedans market, showing the Chevrolet brand not only as a manufacturer of cheap low-profiles.


1. The interior is important in design has a good assembly quality and pleases with worthy decoration materials
2. Despite the presence of a touchscreen, there are quite a few buttons left on the central console, with which you need to control climate control or music
3. The seven -inch display can be thrown back. There will be a roomy compartment under it. The idea known for the Chevrolet Orlando
4. School switches are also knitted
5. Tot, who came up with switching transfers with the help of this key, apparently a very dexterous person
6. Light control - one to one, as on Opel Astra or Insignia
7. All Malibu for the Russian market are delivered with a non -closing system to the salon

Fortunately, Malibu rides well: a successful platform does his job. The smoothness of the course on Turkish roads, where the test drive passed, seemed suitable for us for Russia. In the cabin, silence, the suspension works reasonably and calmly: neither sharp shocks, nor swings. The chassis, of course, seems softer than European analogues, but for our roads, perhaps this is even better. For passengers certainly.


The engine is one, and not very powerful. The gearbox is only an automatic. Not the fastest. The result is very mediocre dynamics

But in the turns of Malibu, it is pretty rushed, and the steering wheel is openly lacking feedback. For the sake of comfort, the effort on it was made very small, but because of this, information was also disappeared. At the same time, when turning the steering wheel, the car rushes to the side unexpectedly sharply such settings require a certain addiction.

Nevertheless, the creators failed to completely spoil the Epsilon II platform, missing it through the American-Korean sieve, And by the standards of Chevrolet, Malibu Manage is completely excellent.


Malibu steer worse than Insignia. He has another credo: calm, only calm

What can not be said about accelerated dynamics. Although the sedan is easier than a captive with the same motor and gearbox by almost 400 kilograms, but 100 kilometers per hour gains only one second faster. Honestly, 10 seconds to hundreds - the result is not impressive either on paper or in practice. And if up to 80 kilometers per hour can be called even more or less normal, then further longing and despondency.


Malibu is a quiet and comfortable car. Were the dynamics on overtaking better, this sedan could be safely recommended for long trips

The thoughtful box exacerbates the case, which sorting out the transmission at the speed of the lame turtle. The machine still does not have a sports regime, but there is manual. The situation in it is a little better, but the trouble is: it is proposed to switch the steps using a swinging key at the end of the lever, but the steering wheel petals are not provided. Only a real masochist will be able to constantly use the absurd key to constantly use the ridiculous and uncomfortable solution.


CHEVROLET MALIBU trunk is 545 liters. The backs of the rear seats are folded in a proportion of 60:40.

It turns out that Malibu does not affect either overclocking or controllability: in his habits there is not even a hint of a light. But he has a complete order with comfort, he is stable on a straight line, like a train, and some detachment from the driver, if you go slowly, you can also enroll in advantages less.

In addition, it is much more attractive than Epica, it is roomy, rich in the interior, modern in design and safe that five stars obtained in the NCAP ranking prove. All this is formed in a good set in order to stake up a place in the market for the next, ninth generation, which will enter the market in three years. The main thing is that by that time Chevrolet does not switch to three -cylinder engines.

Alternative
The bestseller of the Russian Toyota Camry market can be bought for only 959,000 rubles. This will be a car in the basic configuration, with a two -liter 148 -horsepower engine and an old four -speed automatic. With a 2.5 engine (181 horsepower) and six gears in the automatic transmission of Camry costs at least 1,074,000 rubles (prestige 1,307,000 rubles in the configuration). A sedan with a V-shaped six 3.5 is sold only in a top-end luxury for 1,479,000 rubles.

Although Koreans call Kia Optima a business class, but formally this car is a size less and just gets into competitors to Malibu. Available version of Optima - with a two -liter 150 -horsepower engine, on the handle and in the basic configuration of Comfort is estimated at 939,900 rubles. For a six -speed machine, you need to pay 50 thousand. All versions with the 2.4 engine (180 horsepower) are originally equipped with automatic transmission. Price scatter from 1,119,000 to 1,319,000 rubles.

The simplest VW Passat in the Trendline configuration with 1.4 TSI engine (122 horsepower) and a manual gearbox is sold for 910,000 rubles. The seven -speed DSG robot will add 66,000 rubles to the price. On the average level of equipment Comfortline, the Passat is available with the 1.8 TSI engine (152 forces): on the handle - for 1,040,000 rubles, with DSG for 1,112,000 rubles. In the expensive configuration of Highline there are modifications with a six -speed robot and a 2.0 TSI motor (210 forces, 1,551,000 rubles) and with a two -liter turbodiesel (170 forces, 1,450,000 rubles).

Technical characteristics of Chevrolet Malibu
Engine type R4
Working volume 2384 cm
Max. Power, L.S./rpm 167/5800
Max. moment, nm/rpm 225/4600
Type of drive front
Transmission 6 -speed automatic transmission
Front suspension Independent MacPherson
Rear suspension independent multi -link
Brakes Disc ventilated in front and discs behind
Dimensions (DHSHHV), mm 4865x1855x1465
Wheel base, mm 2737
Equipped mass, kg 1539
Max. Speed, km/hour 201
Acceleration 0-100 km/h, with 10.1
Fuel consumption (comb.), L/100 km 8.0
Emissions CO2, g/km 188, euro 5
Fuel tank volume, l 73
Luggage compartment volume, l 545
Tire size 245/45 r18
Price, rubles 1 285 000
 

Source: Motor magazine [November 2012]