From the GM media site : http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/...ges/news/cn/en/2015/april/0419_chevrolet.html
The all-new Malibu made its global debut at Shanghai GM Gala Night. It demonstrates Chevrolet's latest “Designed to Raise your Heartbeat” direction.
All-New Chevrolet Malibu
The all-new Malibu, which is based on the eighth-generation Malibu, was developed especially for China to meet the demands of younger consumers. It demonstrates Chevrolet's latest “Designed to Raise your Heartbeat” direction that reflects muscular body lines and enhanced body proportions.
It is longer than its predecessor. Muscular lines on the hood combined with sculptural outlines on the rear accentuate its powerful stance.
The all-new Malibu’s integrated narrow upper grille with eagle eye-shaped headlights, Chevrolet's iconic sculptural dual-port grille with chrome trim, and semi-framed fog lamps work together to present a sharp three-dimensional look that is balanced by the sedan’s well-rounded rear fascia. Its dual-element taillights were inspired by those on the first-generation Malibu.
True to the brand's “fun to drive” philosophy, the all-new Malibu is equipped with a choice of a 2.4L Ecotec SIDI engine or a 2.0L DVVT engine, as well as a new-generation six-speed automatic transmission.
Its European-style sports chassis, which is built on GM's most advanced upper-medium sedan platform, adds to the driving pleasure that today’s younger car buyers prefer.
The press release says that it's based on the "8th generation" Malibu. I'm not sure what the means or if it's PR spin, but from another picture I saw online at AutoNews.com, the sides look a lot like our current Malibu. Take a look:Is it fundamentally different? Is it the same car underneath? Is it based on last gen or different platform than ours?
So I don't think that the version we see here is actually based on the new one that debuted at NYIAS. Rather, it's the current version of the Malibu with an MCE that has strong Holden-esque overtones.Image courtesy of, and credited to, CarNewsChina.com:
Yes. Which looks much better than the MCE we received here (especially the rear-end).The rest of the world didn't the MCE North America did in 2014, so this is essentially the overseas-market MCE.