Chevy Malibu = 3G ripoff?
08-20-2010, 02:17 PM
#1
06 TL 6MT + 18 ATS-V 8AT
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Chevy Malibu = 3G ripoff?
I know the malibu is set to be redesigned soon, but can't help but wonder what the design team was thinking when they drew the current model.
Bob: I'm out of ideas, what's a good design we can copy?
Mary: How about the 3G TL.
Bob: Great idea, but how do we differentiate it?
Mary: Take away its character line, blacked-out window trim, and slap on our signature round brake lights and oversized grille.
Bob: Brilliant! Those lower crossbars on the newer TL's look cool too, let's add those too.
Bob: I'm out of ideas, what's a good design we can copy?
Mary: How about the 3G TL.
Bob: Great idea, but how do we differentiate it?
Mary: Take away its character line, blacked-out window trim, and slap on our signature round brake lights and oversized grille.
Bob: Brilliant! Those lower crossbars on the newer TL's look cool too, let's add those too.
08-20-2010, 02:29 PM
#6
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The 3G TL-often imitated, seldom equaled....
08-20-2010, 02:32 PM
#7
06 TL 6MT + 18 ATS-V 8AT
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I can understand taking cues from successful designs, i.e. the 8G accord aping the E60 5-series, and perhaps the Avalon/3G TL stealing the Phaeton's greenhouse design.
But the Malibu just comes off as a blatant ripoff, like they just took the entire car and replaced some minor parts
But the Malibu just comes off as a blatant ripoff, like they just took the entire car and replaced some minor parts
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08-20-2010, 02:34 PM
#8
I can understand taking cues from successful designs, i.e. the 8G accord aping the E60 5-series, and perhaps the Avalon/3G TL stealing the Phaeton's greenhouse design.
But the Malibu just comes off as a blatant ripoff, like they just took the entire car and replaced some minor parts
But the Malibu just comes off as a blatant ripoff, like they just took the entire car and replaced some minor parts
which one came out first?
08-20-2010, 02:47 PM
#10
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If it's any consolation, I worked on a 2011 GMC Acadia the other day. GM's quality control is still poor, I went to re-attach the lower B-Pillar and the lower pop clips were smashed from the factory and unsecured.
08-20-2010, 02:53 PM
#12
06 TL 6MT + 18 ATS-V 8AT
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Not just the pillar, but the overall shape, rear 3/4, trunk with integrated lip, bulging fenders, greenhouse, large grille, crossbars, sweeping interior console, guage pods, etc...the list goes on
08-20-2010, 04:23 PM
#19
Yep... They're both silver...
And they both have wheels.
And huge c pillars....
I could go on for ages with all the similarities.
Now I can rest easy knowing that Malibu owners will have to deal with the same rediculous blind spots I do.
And they both have wheels.
And huge c pillars....
I could go on for ages with all the similarities.
Now I can rest easy knowing that Malibu owners will have to deal with the same rediculous blind spots I do.
08-20-2010, 06:35 PM
#27
as i stated, my neighbor has one.
it has more similarities than ya'll think.
when looking at it head on, the hood almost has the same lines and shape.
no doubt, you can tell the TL has a honda hood, and the chevy a chevy. butt, you can tell that the chevy designers envied honda/acura's.
it has more similarities than ya'll think.
when looking at it head on, the hood almost has the same lines and shape.
no doubt, you can tell the TL has a honda hood, and the chevy a chevy. butt, you can tell that the chevy designers envied honda/acura's.
08-20-2010, 06:50 PM
#29
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this is insane because two different car companies have never had similar looking cars, in fact theres so little model types out there its boggling how they couldnt be 100% unique in every aspect
Not really.
08-21-2010, 10:10 AM
#34
The Malibu doesn't look anything like the 3G TL, except for its maybe overall size. To me the Malibu is the most boring/bland design in the mid-size segment right now.
The 3G TL had more curves and lines throughout the body style compared to the Maxima and the interior was worlds better in quality, lines, styling, etc. To me its comparing apples to oranges. Hell, even the mags on the Malibu are cheap and crappy looking compared to the 3G TL's.
To me the Malibu and Camry are the snooers right now in the mid-size segment.
The new Sonata, Altima, Fusion, Mazda6 are all much more interesting and sportier looking/driving and I'd be in one of them before a Malibu!
The 3G TL had more curves and lines throughout the body style compared to the Maxima and the interior was worlds better in quality, lines, styling, etc. To me its comparing apples to oranges. Hell, even the mags on the Malibu are cheap and crappy looking compared to the 3G TL's.
To me the Malibu and Camry are the snooers right now in the mid-size segment.
The new Sonata, Altima, Fusion, Mazda6 are all much more interesting and sportier looking/driving and I'd be in one of them before a Malibu!
08-21-2010, 10:18 AM
#35
Looks like 2 different cars to me. The Malibu sucks, the 3G is cool. 
The amount of differences totally overplay any slight similarities IMO.
Old news, GM and Toyota have collaborated in the past on particular models. Nothing new. Saturn a GM brand, used Honda motors in the Vue as well. Which dates back quite a few years.
The amount of differences totally overplay any slight similarities IMO.
Old news, GM and Toyota have collaborated in the past on particular models. Nothing new. Saturn a GM brand, used Honda motors in the Vue as well. Which dates back quite a few years.
08-21-2010, 07:00 PM
#38
03-27-2011, 08:47 AM
#39
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There are countless car models / designs. Who's to say what exactly was knowingly "ripped off". Trash? Although, bottom line, beauty is all in the eye of the beholder, the newest version of the Malibu is nice-- certainly less trashy looking than any black 'higher end' vehicle lowered to the point that its body hangs over it's wheels.
03-27-2011, 09:06 AM
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There are countless car models / designs. Who's to say what exactly was knowingly "ripped off". Trash? Although, bottom line, beauty is all in the eye of the beholder, the newest version of the Malibu is nice-- certainly less trashy looking than any black 'higher end' vehicle lowered to the point that its body hangs over it's wheels.