Chevrolet Malibu to Replace Aging Epica in China

After the launch of the BaoJun brand in China, General Motors tries to refresh its product lineups a little bit, pushing Chevrolet a little bit above the affordable brand image it had in the past in this particular market. BaoJun will now play the role of the entry-level brand in China, so Chevrolet has to change a few things to go further in GM's Chinese hierarchy.

The first step the company will do is to replace the aging Epica with the Malibu, according to a report by China Car Times. Based on the Epsilon II platform, just like Buick Regal, the car will most likely debut in China in early or mid-2011 and will be sold as a 2012 model.

In the United States, the Chevrolet Malibu has recently received the IIHS Top Safety Pick for the way it performed in the crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). ABS, StabiliTrak electronic stability control, OnStar 9.0 with six months of Directions and Connections service plus multiple airbags to protect the passengers are offered as standard on the American version of the Malibu.

Furthermore, the Malibu was named "Best Buy" by Consumer Digest, a recognition based on behind-the-wheel assessment, safety ratings, ownership costs, warranty, price, comfort, ergonomics, styling and amenities. It was the third consecutive year the Malibu won this award, as it remains Chevrolet's and General Motors' best-selling car in the US.

The car is powered by either a 2.4-liter Ecotec engine mated to a six speed transmission or a 3.6-liter V6 powerplant that develops 252 horsepower and achieves a fuel consumption rating of 33 mpg (71 l/100km) highway.