Chevrolet will unveil a new Malibu in New York

DETROIT — Chevrolet will show a redesigned 2016 Malibu later this month at the New York Auto Show that will be longer and have more legroom than the current model.

The wheelbase will be four inches longer, which will create more legroom and headroom in the back seat.

By using higher-strength, but lighter weight steel, the new Malibu is expected to be 300 pounds lighter than its predecessor.

The current Malibu has not sold as well as Chevrolet would have liked in the fiercely competitive midsize sedan segment. The car's February sales fell 20 percent from a year earlier and are down 11.7 percent for the first two months of the year.

Sales of many automakers' midsize and compact sedans have softened in recent months as lower gasoline prices have encouraged many consumers to choose crossovers, SUVs or pickup trucks.

'Malibu's gorgeous styling is the result of a masterful understanding of proportions,' said Ed Welburn, General Motors' vice president of global design. 'The roofline has been stretched rearward giving a more sleek profile, while the front wheels have moved forward and front and rear overhangs have been reduced.'