First Impressions of the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu
Twenty members of the media — including car enthusiast and business writers, fashion experts, and an international cast of journalists — recently had an opportunity to experience the new 2008 Chevrolet Malibu for the first time, at the Milford Proving Ground.
The program included drive opportunities comparing the Malibu against the Toyota Camry on a 1 ½ mile-straightaway allowing wide open throttle, stop and start; ABS/traction control on wet ceramic tile; and Stabilitrak in a slalom course on Black Lake. In addition, technical backgrounders were provided by GM executives including Cheryl Catton, general director for Chevrolet Car Marketing; Mike Meloeny, vehicle chief engineer for Midsize Car; Dave Whittaker, vehicle line executive for Premium Midsize Cars; Clay Dean, director of Design; and Crystal Windham, design manager for Small/Midsize Car and Global Compact Utility Vehicles.
The media’s driving impressions won’t be appearing in print until at least Nov. 2, but here’s a sneak peek at their thoughts:
“This reinvents the value equation.” — Warren Brown, The Washington Post
“Except for Corvette, this is the best Chevy ever made.” — Gary Witzenburg, Edmunds
“The Malibu has better engine character and NVH [noise, vibration and handling] than the Camry.”— Eddie Alterman, Motive
“Best four-cylinder Detroit has ever done … sounds solid and I don’t hear that raspy induction anymore.” — Paul Eisenstein, TheCarConnection.com
“Outstanding fit and finish … and better on the bumps than Camry.” — Joe DeMatio, Automobile
“The Malibu is more composed than the Camry … the steering stays where you want it and needs less correction.” — Bob Gritzinger, Autoweek
“I love this car … the red one is mine!” — Dani Stahl, Nylon Magazine
The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu is slated to appear in showrooms in November
