[BlackSS]

Someone new to autocross came up to my car and wanted a ride at our 9/11 event. I said sure, c'mon just before he said, "I want to compare this Malibu to my '16 Malibu." Before I had a chance to explain to him what the car was, everyone else in grid spoke up and educated him. I still let him ride, and after, he agreed that the SS was no Malibu. :grin

 

[vitas]

I park right next to the previous generation Malibu the the other day and the resemblance is definitely there. The cars do look very much related, especially in the 3/4 view, with the similar lines wrapping from the sides to the back.

Personally, I don't mind the stealth factor at all. The only time I get glances is when someone hears the sound. Most people I know think I'm driving a rental. The latest compliment I got was when someone said it looks like a Jaguar (probably because of side vents).

 

[Imp]

It does have a very similar side profile as the new XE.

--kC

 

[Big_Kill]

Oh heck, the profile is similar to a DOZEN other cars. That's one reason I didn't buy an SS when they first came out. I'm ready now though...

 

[Stingray]

I showed this picture on my phone and had it compared to a 7 series.

 

[Big_Kill]

Exactly! That profile runs the who spectrum of price ranges. Must be great in the windtunnel. (Of course, that's why they call it a sleeper...)

 

[rjcalif]

Welcome to the club of limited edition Impala-bu with dual I-4

 

[LivernoisMotorsports]

We get this continually whenever our SS goes out. It is the WORST at Detroit AutoRAMA. Literally 1 in 4 or 5 people asks what type of Malibu is it or flat out what is it. You say, oh it's a Chevy SS. Then the blank stare lol. "Cool, SS what? Just the SS. You mean like Malibu SS? Impala SS? Monte Carlo SS? NO, SS." After a few days you just want to Charlie Brown scream on the inside lol.

 

[ATX SS]

You could have told him you were a super mechanic and added a few cylinders to your Malibu.

 

[Dikc]

What exactly is that?!?

The guy asked yesterday, as he, wife and 3 kids dismounted their new Escalade. "Doesn't exactly look like a Malibu...and I noticed those honkin' Brembo brakes!" We discussed it all the way into Home Depot, stand alone model, wonderful small block, great brakes, handling, sounds, etc. I guess he could tell I really like this car. He said "nice talking to you, I think I'll go look at them." Wished him luck...

 

[Run it]

Someone new to autocross came up to my car and wanted a ride at our 9/11 event. I said sure, c'mon just before he said, "I want to compare this Malibu to my '16 Malibu." Before I had a chance to explain to him what the car was, everyone else in grid spoke up and educated him. I still let him ride, and after, he agreed that the SS was no Malibu. :grin

Keeping quiet and letting the car explain would have been priceless. "Gee, they really watered down the 16s!"

 

[SS WOT]

I hear the Malibu, Impala, or the latest Sonic. And the Australian background seems to go in one ear and out the other.
I don't feel like I have to defend Pearl anymore.

 

[BlackSS]

Keeping quiet and letting the car explain would have been priceless.

I couldn't. Everyone else in grid spoke up so fast it seemed like they owned the car and were offended. The car showed him what was up.

 

[Der KommiSSar]

[Scene: QT Mart gas pumps]

Him: "Wow, the new Malibu looks great!"
Me: "Thanks, man! I'm really liking it!"
*I glance over at his Lexus ES350, raise eyebrow*
Me: (While getting in my car) "You keep that Camry shiny now!"
*Press start, listen to perf mode come alive and settle into it's lumpy burble as I put my shades on then pull away from pump*

 

[poSSitive]

"you keep that camry shiny" is the best rebuttal I've heard on this forum.......I will keep that one in my pocket.

 

[Topcat]

Oh heck, the profile is similar to a DOZEN other cars. That's one reason I didn't buy an SS when they first came out. I'm ready now though...

Guy I work with has a newer SHO, look like brothers from different mothers when parked next to each other.

 

[mistermike]

We former and current GTO owners put up with the "nice Cavalier" comments for years. Welcome to the club.
In my opinion, the Malibu is a good looking car, so I don't take it as an insult, but rather just someone not looking very closely.
On a more general note, the overall shape of GM cars is strongly influenced by wind tunnel testing. The Volt is the ultimate expression of that, and a GM engineer commented to the effect that the Volt could have either looked like a Prius, or the way it wound up looking. The wind tunnel only allows so many possibilities if you're looking to minimize drag.

 

[Clutchfoot]

I'd rather explain the Holden badges than the malibu styling.

 

[AP_SS]

Someone new to autocross came up to my car and wanted a ride at our 9/11 event. I said sure, c'mon just before he said, "I want to compare this Malibu to my '16 Malibu." Before I had a chance to explain to him what the car was, everyone else in grid spoke up and educated him. I still let him ride, and after, he agreed that the SS was no Malibu. :grin

Heh. I just ordered my custom CA vanity plate a few weeks ago: "NCE MLBU".

 

[PHANTOM_SSV]

I just now tell people who ask, "Yeah its a Malibu SS. the SS package gave it Brembos and a ecoboosted 4 cylinder."