The Chevrolet Malibu is on its last kilometres. One of the top five best-selling mid-size sedans in Canada in 2009, alongside the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, it will soon be making way for its successor.
In fact, the inside media has already started leaking images of the pre-series models. The future Malibu reportedly features a shorter wheelbase, slashed by about 10 cm; the automaker no doubt hopes to set it further apart from the Impala. The veil will be lifted on this 2012 vintage before the end of next year.
Platinum?
Meanwhile, what could be better than a special edition to revive a model at the end of its career? But with a name like Platinum, evoking a precious and noble metal, one of the first things that come to mind is… a 70th wedding anniversary.
Naturally, the Malibu isn’t turning 70. At best, if the 2012 scion should inherit the moniker, the model will then be 48. The first Chevelle Malibu appeared in 1964.
Aside from that, the Malibu LT Platinum Edition is far from geriatric. GM’s strategists have banked on high-end specs to generate a last burst of enthusiasm for the model, which is popular among a particularly wide range of clients.
A notch above the LTZ
So the Malibu Platinum is a smidge up-level of the LTZ, the most luxurious number of the range. It also distinguishes itself from the two more affordable versions, the LS and LT.
Actually, not too long ago the Malibu lineup included two LT variants. The automaker cleverly named them 1LT and 2LT. By giving the latter one a more evocative name, such as Platinum, its luxury car status is all the more obvious. But that’s about the only well-acknowledged new feature of the model – a name.
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| Malibu LT Platinum Edition: simply a new name for a model heretofore known as Malibu 2LT. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |
In fact, the inside media has already started leaking images of the pre-series models. The future Malibu reportedly features a shorter wheelbase, slashed by about 10 cm; the automaker no doubt hopes to set it further apart from the Impala. The veil will be lifted on this 2012 vintage before the end of next year.
Platinum?
Meanwhile, what could be better than a special edition to revive a model at the end of its career? But with a name like Platinum, evoking a precious and noble metal, one of the first things that come to mind is… a 70th wedding anniversary.
Naturally, the Malibu isn’t turning 70. At best, if the 2012 scion should inherit the moniker, the model will then be 48. The first Chevelle Malibu appeared in 1964.
Aside from that, the Malibu LT Platinum Edition is far from geriatric. GM’s strategists have banked on high-end specs to generate a last burst of enthusiasm for the model, which is popular among a particularly wide range of clients.
A notch above the LTZ
So the Malibu Platinum is a smidge up-level of the LTZ, the most luxurious number of the range. It also distinguishes itself from the two more affordable versions, the LS and LT.
Actually, not too long ago the Malibu lineup included two LT variants. The automaker cleverly named them 1LT and 2LT. By giving the latter one a more evocative name, such as Platinum, its luxury car status is all the more obvious. But that’s about the only well-acknowledged new feature of the model – a name.
 |
| The Platinum Edition is recognizable by its chromed 17-inch alloy wheels. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |