2016 Malibu sheds 300 lb, adds new hybrid system

More wheelbase, style, fuel economy, and comfort aim to move GM's volume midsize sedan from the sidelines to the fast lane.

Entering its ninth generation, the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu zoomed through its development cycle faster than any General Motors vehicle in recent memory. It gains a new platform and powertrains-including an all-new dedicated strong-hybrid model with some EV-only capability-aimed at putting the nameplate at the head of North America's most competitive segment.

“This was a fast program-about three years,” Chief Engineer Jesse Ortega told Automotive Engineering. “We've got at last count 17 competitors for Malibu, in a hot segment that represents 14% of the industry.” The car's design was the province of the team, under Chevrolet Executive Design Director John Cafaro, that delivered the current Impala, while the car's new Epsilon II architecture has its roots in Russelsheim.