As The World Shrinks: 2013 Chevy Malibu Debuts In Korea

by Edward Niedermeyer

January 24th, 2023 4:57 PM

We’re committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using links in our articles. Learn more here

Like the Chevrolet Cruze before it, the new Malibu was supposed to debut in Korea (probably as a Daewoo) a good year before it arrived in the US. But a few things have changed in GM’s relationship with its Korean unit, no longer called Daewoo but GM Korea. The Daewoo brand is gone, for one, replaced by the Chevrolet bowtie. And with Bob Lutz’s blessing, GM CEO Dan Akerson pulled forward the US Malibu launch by some six months, which means we should be getting it in the first quarter next year.

And though the possibility of a simultaneous global launch is still out of reach (video of the Korean launch can be found here), this model is a key element in GM’s globalizing effort, replacing not only the US Malibu, but also the Daewoo Tosca (a.k.a Chevy/Holden Epica). We knew GM has way too many architectures across its global lineup, but were you aware that the Tosca/Epica had optional Porsche-designed transverse straight-six engines, in 2.0 and 2.5-liter configurations? Neither did I. But with the new Malibu, it’s straight-up-and-down GM: the Epsilon II platform, with 2.0 or 2.4 Ecotec engines (in Korea, anyway… an all-new 2.5-liter engine is on tap fro the US). We may be quick with the Daewoo jokes, but this new Malibu is doubtless making the automotive world a much smaller, more homogenous place. Welcome to the future… [Hat Tip to our man in Korea, Walter Foreman}

#2013 #3WTP #Chevrolet #Design #Global #GM #Korea #Malibu #NewCars

Edward Niedermeyer

More by Edward Niedermeyer

Comments

Join the conversation

11 of 93 comments

GarbageMotorsCo. on Oct 05, 2011

.

Like Reply
Almost Jake on Oct 05, 2011

They super-sized a Cruz. I'm not impressed. What next, a Buick version with more body cladding?

Like Reply
- Steven02 on Oct 05, 2011
  
  If you only knew that this was an Opel Insignia under the skin... which makes it a Buick Regal. Although there are several changes from the Regal to the Malibu.
  
  Like
RRocket on Oct 05, 2011

As with most current GMs, I bet this one will be heavier than the competition. And with only a 4 banger to move it?? Yikes....

Like Reply
- See 3 previous
- Krhodes1 on Oct 05, 2011
  
  That '4-banger' has 60 more hp than most of the V6s from 20 years ago in cars that wieghed just as much. Performance will be much more than adequate, considering I can leave most traffic for dead from the lights in my 77hp diesel Mercedes. Most Americans can't find full throttle with a GPS.
  
  Like
- 86er on Oct 05, 2011
  
  @krhodes1 Yes, but that Mercedes diesel has something that the "4 banger" won't. Torque.
  
  Like
- Krhodes1 on Oct 05, 2011
  
  @krhodes1 Nope, not really. 120lb-ft. That 190hp modern 4 has something like 50%-75% more torque than the Benz. In a car that wieghs the same. Again, HP and torque figures that shame V6s of 20 years ago, and current V6s will show a clean set of taillights to classic V8 musclecars. Modern "4-banger" mid-size sedans are running ~8 sec 0-60 times. Yes, you will hit the 6500-7Krpm redline a couple doing so, but they are perfectly happy doing that. I'm driving a 4cyl Altima as a rental right now, in no rational way can it be considered slow. Will it run with my BMW, no, but it is more than adequate for merging into traffic. Also don't forget that cars now have 5-6-7-8 spd gearboxes, they don't NEED low-end torque like they once did, the lower gears make up for it while still providing relaxed highway cruising.
  
  Like
- 86er on Oct 05, 2011
  
  @krhodes1 Certainly, but who is going to rev their Malibu, or any other grocery getter, up to 65 or 7k rpm? There's torque, and then there's usable torque. Needless to say, peak torque on a diesel is going to be realized at a far lower rpm than a 4 cylinder gas motor pulling along a 3500-4000 lb car.
  
  Like
TriShield on Oct 05, 2011

The new Malibu is the Chevrolet version of the new Buick Regal, which is a rebadged Opel Insignia. The Malibu has the same dimensions inside and out as the Buick and Opel and will have the same ride and handling balance. If you've driven the new Regal, you've driven this car.

Like Reply
- See 1 previous
- Krhodes1 on Oct 05, 2011
  
  That is a bit of a stretch. The Regal truely IS a rebadged and re-grilled Insignia, but the Malibu is merely on the same platform. I would be surprised if it drives anywhere near as "German" as the Buick. I would expect it to be MUCH softer, and drive like a Camry. That is its target marktet after all, it is not intended to be hunting 3-series and Audis.
  
  Like
- Steven02 on Oct 05, 2011
  
  Inside it doesn't have the same dimensions of the Regal. I have read reviews and comments from GM that the Malibu is a bit larger inside than the Regal.
  
  Like