GM is developing a new successor to the Chevrolet Malibu sedan with more space and sleeker looks, which should arrive in 2016, likely as a 2017MY.

The mid-size sedan segment in North America is a tough nut to crack, and GM painfully found that out once again with the 8th generation Malibu that was sent back to the drawing board for a quick facelift less than 18 months after its market launch.

One of the major complaints with the Epsilon II platform-based Malibu was the rear passenger space, which GM tried to partially amend with the 2014MY's revised front and rear seats.

While the new 2017 Malibu is believed to retain the global Epsilon II chassis, possibly revised, the prototype we spotted testing in Europe looks like it has grown in size featuring longer rear doors, which could point to a longer wheelbase for improved interior space.

The covered up prototype doesn't disclose the next Malibu's styling secrets, but we can clearly see the sloping roofline with the heavily slanted rear window that reaches deep inside the boot lid. Expect Chevrolet to give the new Malibu a similar front-end treatment as the latest Impala.

Under the hood, GM's 2.0-liter turbocharged four should be joined by at least one more force-fed gasoline engine, with the firm's 2.5-liter inline-four to soldier on as the base offering. A hybrid model is also thought to join the range.

Promises to be one of the most dramatic GM models in years

We haven't heard about the 2016 Chevrolet Malibu but GM's Executive Vice President of Global Product Development has promised it will have a "groundbreaking design."

Speaking to Automotive News, Mark Reuss acknowledged the current model is a tad lackluster but promised the next-generation model will be a major improvement. He declined to go into specifics but hinted it will become one of the company's most distinctive and dramatic new models in years.

Those are some pretty bold claims but previous spy photos have shown the 2016 Malibu will have curvaceous body work and a dramatic rear end.

Little else is known about the car but it is expected to ride on an updated version of the Epsilon II platform and feature carryover engines.

2016 Chevrolet Malibu to have a "groundbreaking design"

Could be unveiled in April

The next generation Chevrolet Malibu has been spied without any camo while undergoing testing in China.

Chevrolet's mid-size sedan is about to reach its ninth generation which will bring a redesigned front fascia featuring slender headlights and an enlarged lower grille while the upper one will incorporate the bow tie logo. The rounded fog lights have apparently been eliminated and based on what previous spy shots have shown, strips of LED daytime running lights have been installed instead.

The side profile appears to be virtually identical to the outgoing model although the low-quality images don't provide a clear view of the car. Unfortunately, the Chinese spy photographers weren't able to snap pics of the rear end so we don't know whether the Camaro-inspired taillights are still there.

As a reminder, General Motor's Vice President of Global Design has previously said the new Malibu will adopt a Corvette-influenced design while GM Executive Vice President of Global Product Development said that we will be "blown away" by the car’s styling, adding that it will be "more true to what Chevrolet should be."

Little else is known about the new Chevrolet Malibu but reports are indicating it will use a revised version of the Epsilon II architecture and will source the engine lineup from the outgoing model.

A full reveal is likely set for early April at the New York Auto Show and Chevrolet will probably bring the car to Auto Shanghai in China later the same month. Deliveries should kick off sometime this fall.