First Drive: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

First Drive: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

Bob versus Dan.

The current-generation Chevrolet Malibu, which debuted in 2008, can have been the signature accomplishment of Bob Lutz’s tenure at General Motors. The previous GM vice president’s celebrated sense of fashion and a focus to detail heralded the primary truly excellent Chevrolet passenger car in decades. Fast forward four years and one bankruptcy, and we’ve got the subsequent-generation Malibu — the primary car to bear the fingerprints of GM’s present CEO, Dan Akerson. Although development was already under way by the point Akerson assumed the mantle in late 2010, he reportedly applied the complete weight of his authority to hurry the automobile to market in time for the brand new year in place of letting the present Malibu — still competent but now dated — languish until summer. Therefore, our biggest question sooner than driving the brand new 2013 Malibu was, has Dan improved Bob’s car or damaged it? Does the hot Malibu consolidate and build upon the critical gains of its predecessor or has it suffered a setback due to its last-minute rush to production? The reply to both questions is “yes.”

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco – Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Drive: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco – Automobile Magazine