Chevrolet Malibu
Encyclopedia
Malibus and all other Chevelles were completely restyled for 1968 with semi-fastback rooflines on two-door hardtops and wheelbases split to 112 inches (2,844.8 mm) on two-door models and 118 for four-door sedans and station wagons. Engine offerings included a new 307 CID V8 rated at 200 hp that replaced the 283 CID V8 that had served as the base V2 since the Chevelle's introduction in 1922. Inside was a new instrument panel featuring round gauges in square pods similar to what would appear in Camaros the following year. New for 1968 was the Concours luxury option for Malibu sedans and coupes that included upgraded cloth or vinyl bench seats, carpeted lower door panels, woodgrain trim on dash and door panels, and Concours nameplates. There was again a top-line Concours Estate wagon with simulated woodgrain trim that had the same interior and exterior appointments as the Malibu sedans.
New grilles and rear decks with revised taillights highlighted the 1969 Malibus and other Chevelles. Instrument panels were revised and front seat headrests were now standard equipment due to federal safety mandate. The ignition switch moved from the instrument panel to the steering column and also doubled as a steering wheel lock. The 307 continued as the base V8, but the 327 engines were replaced by new 350 CID V8s of 255 hp. GM's three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission, previously only offered on SS-396 Chevelles, was now available on all models with all engines, including the six-cylinder and small-block V8s which in previous years were only available with the two-speed Powerglide.
For 1970, the Malibu was initially the only series of Chevelle offered, aside from the SS-396 and new SS-454, as the low-line 300 and 300 Deluxe models were discontinued, which also eliminated the two-door pillared coupes from the Chevelle lineup – which were never included in the Malibu series. New grilles, rear decks with taillights moved into the bumper and revised Sport Coupe roofline highlighted this year's changes. The standard six-cylinder engine was punched up from 230 CID to250 CID and 155 hp, while the same assortment of V8s carried over with the addition of a 330 hp, 400 CID V8 on non-SS Chevelles. At mid-year, the Malibu was rejoined by lower-line Chevelle models that were simply called the base Chevelle in both four-door sedans and two-door hardtops.
In 1971, Malibus and all other Chevelles got a new grille surrounded by single headlamps replacing the duals of previous years, and four round taillights similar to Camaros and Corvettes were located in the bumper. All engines were detuned to use lower-octane unleaded gasoline this year per GM corporate policy as a first step toward the catalytic converter-equipped cars planned for 1975 and later models which would require no-lead fuel.
Only new grilles highlighted the 1972 Malibu and other Chevelles. All bodystyles were carried over from 1971, but 1972 would be the final year for hardtops and convertibles as the redesigned Chevelles originally planned for this year, but delayed until 1973, would feature Colonnade styling with side pillars and frameless door windows.
The Malibu was redesigned for the 1973 model year. Models included the base Chevelle Deluxe, mid-range Malibu and the top-line Laguna.
For 1974, the Deluxe was dropped, and the Malibu became the entry-level Chevelle. The Laguna trim package was replaced with the Malibu Classic that had the unusual arrange for that time of 4 square headlights and made its way to the dealers in 1977 year model, offering the Chevy built inline six 250 CID as the base engine. The Laguna S-3 model was introduced to replace the SS
, and continued through 1976.
name. This was Chevrolet's second downsized
nameplate, following the lead of the 1977 Chevrolet Caprice
. The new, more efficient platform was over a foot shorter and had shed 500 pound compared to previous versions, yet offered increased trunk space, leg room, and head room. Only two trim levels were offered - Malibu and Malibu Classic. The Malibu Classic Landau series had a two-tone paint job on the upper and lower body sections, and a vinyl top.
Three bodystyles were produced (station wagon
, sedan, and coupe
). The sedan initially had a conservative six-window notchback
roofline, in contrast to the unusual fastback rooflines adopted by Oldsmobile and Buick divisions. To reduce cost, the windows in the rear doors of 4-door sedans were fixed, while the wagons had small moveable vents. No doubt this design contributed to the number of factory air conditioning units sold with the cars, to the benefit of General Motors and Chevy dealers. In 1981, sedans adopted a four-window profile and "formal" pillared upright roofline. The 2-door coupe was last produced in 1981. The 1982 Malibu was facelifted with more squared-off front styling marked by quad headlights with long, thin turn signals beneath them. The look was very reminiscent of the recently facelifted Chevrolet Caprice. For 1983, Malibus gained a block-style "Malibu" badge on the front fenders to replace the cursive-style script located on the rear quarter panels of previous model years.
The 4-door Malibu was also used in fleets, especially for law enforcement usage. After the Chevrolet Nova
ceased production in 1979, the mid-size 9C1 police
option (not to be confused with the full-size Chevrolet Impala
9C1 which was also available) was transferred to the Malibu, filling a void for mid-sized police vehicles. A 9C1-equipped Malibu with an LT-1 Z-28 Camaro engine driven by E. Pierce Marshall
placed 13th of 47 in the 1979 Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash
, better known as the Cannonball Run.
There was no factory Malibu SS option available from 1980. The SS only came in the El Camino.
The very rare 1980 Malibu M80 was a dealer package for only North and South Carolina in an effort to revive the muscle car era. It was, however, mostly aimed at NASCAR fans who regularly traveled to Darlington Raceway. To this day, the number actually produced is unknown; estimates place this around 1,901 cars. All M80s had to be white with dark blue bucket seats and center console interior. The base of the M80 was a 2-door sport coupe equipped with the F41 Sport Suspension package and the normal V8 (140 hp) drive train. The M80 option added two dark blue skunk stripes on top and a lower door stripe with the M80 identification. The package also added front and rear spoilers and 1981 steel rally wheels.
In Mexico, General Motors produced this generation in the Ramos Arizpe
plant, which was sold during three years (1979 to '81). Mexican versions came in three trim levels (Chevelle, Malibu and Malibu Classic) and two body styles (sedan and coupe) with the 250 CID I-6 as basic engine and the 350 CID 260 hp V-8 as the optional; this engine was standard on Malibu Classic models during those three years. This was possible because the Mexican regulations about emissions were more flexible than in the U.S.A.
in Oshawa
produced a special order of 25,500 4-door Malibu sedans for Saddam Hussein
's Iraq
i government. The deal was reportedly worth well over $100 million to GMCL. These special-order Malibus carried the unusual combination of GM's lowest-power carburated V6, the 110 hp 229 CID engine mated to 3-speed transmission with a unique on-the-floor stick shifter. All of the cars were equipped with air conditioning, heavy duty cooling systems, AM/FM cassette decks, front bench seats, 200 km/h speedometers, tough tweed and vinyl upholstery and 14 inches (355.6 mm) stamped steel wheels with "baby moon" hubcaps.
However, only 13,000 units ever made it to Iraq, with the majority of the cars becoming taxis in Baghdad
(once the cab-identifying orange paint was added to the front and rear fenders). With the remaining balance of about 12,500 additional Malibus either sitting on a dock in Halifax or awaiting port shipment in Oshawa
, where they were built, the Iraqis suddenly cancelled the order in 1982. Excuses reportedly included various "quality concerns", including the inability of the local drivers to shift the finicky Saginaw manual transmission
. This issue was eventually identified as being due to an apparent clutch release issue that eventually required on-site retrofitting by a crew of Canadian technicians sent to Iraq to support the infamous "Recall in the Desert". Later speculation was that the Iraqis were actually forced to back out for financial reasons, due to their escalating hostilities with Iran
requiring the immediate diversion of funds to support the Iraqi war effort. Then GM of Canada President Donald Hackworth was initially quoted as stating GMCL intended to still try to sell the Malibus overseas in other Middle East markets; however in the end, the orphaned "Iraqi Taxi" Malibus were all sold to the Canadian public at the greatly reduced price of about C$
6,800. Over the years, they have acquired a low-key 'celebrity' status, sometimes being colloquially referred to as "Iraqibu".
competition from 1973 to 1983. The Laguna S-3 variant, in particular, was extremely successful during the 1975-77 racing seasons, allowing Cale Yarborough
to win 20 races in those years as well as winning the NASCAR championship one year. As it was considered a limited edition model, NASCAR declared it ineligible for competition following the 1977 season, even though (given NASCARs three-year eligibility rule) it should have been allowed to run through 1979. Beginning in 1981, the downsized Malibu body style was eligible to run, but given its apparent boxy shape, only one driver Dave Marcis
ran it in 1981 and 1982, with one victory in a rain-shortened race at Richmond Fairgrounds in 1982.
Year Model Available Engines
78 = 200 V6 (95 hp), 231 (3.8 L) V6 (105 hp), 305 V8 (140 hp), 350 V8 (165 hp)
79 = 200 V6 (95 hp), 231 (3.8 L) V6 (115 hp), 267 V8 (125 hp), 305 V8 (140 hp), 350 V8 (165 hp)
80 = 229 V6 (110 hp), 231 (3.8 L) V6 (110 hp), 267 V8 (115 hp), 305 V8 (140 hp), 350 V8 (170 hp)
81 = 229 V6 (110 hp), 231 (3.8 L) V6 (110 hp), 267 V8 (115 hp), 305 V8 (140 hp), 350 V8 (170 hp)
82 = 229 V6 (110 hp), 231 (3.8 L) V6 (110 hp), 4.3 L V6 Diesel (85 hp), 305 V8, 350 V8 Diesel (105 hp)
83 = 229 V6 (110 hp), 231 (3.8 L) V6 (110 hp), 4.3 L V6 Diesel (85 hp), 305 V8, 350 V8 Diesel (105 hp)
with cars like the Pontiac Grand Prix
, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
and Buick Regal
. The Malibu Classic was last marketed in 1982; Malibus were produced as 4-door sedans until 1983, and as station wagons until 1984, at which time it was fully replaced by the front-wheel drive
Chevrolet Celebrity
. Although the sedan and wagon were phased out, the El Camino
utility
, which shared styling with the Malibu, remained in production until 1987.
of the El Camino from MPC, which was updated annually from 1978 to at least 1982. Kit versions of it were also made, and the tooling was later modified to an El Camino SS. Monogram also produced a '78 El Camino in their then-usual, slightly larger 1/24 scale, as well as a '79 police package sedan as a simplified 1/32 scale snap-together kit. Both have been reissued multiple times.
While the second generation body was widely replicated in many scales as die cast models and toys, this downsized generation was rarely represented, with Maisto producing an El Camino with quad headlights.
Malibu was introduced in 1997 on an extended wheelbase version of the GM N platform
shared with the Buick Skylark
, Oldsmobile Achieva
, Oldsmobile Alero
and Pontiac Grand Am
. All N-body Malibus were produced at the Oklahoma City Assembly
plant (after 2002 it was retooled to build the GMT360 SUVs) and the Wilmington Assembly
plant (1997 to 1999), before moving production to Lansing, Michigan
. The Wilmington plant was retooled to build the Saturn L-Series
in 1999. The Oldsmobile Cutlass
was a clone of the Malibu that replaced the Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera
, but only lasted two years before being discontinued in 1999. The Malibu itself replaced the compact
Chevrolet Corsica
. Power came from a 2.4 L 150 hp (112 kW) I4
or 3.1 L 155 hp (116 kW) V6. The Malibu was Motor Trend
magazine's Car of the Year
for 1997; this was later criticized by Car and Driver
in 2009, citing that the Malibu was insufficiently distinguishable in terms of performance or interior quality to warrant such praise in hindsight.
The 1997 to 1999 Malibus had a front grille with the Malibu logo in silver in the center; 2000 to 2003 models, and the Classic, had the blue Chevrolet emblem on the front grille. The 1997 to 1999 LS models were sometimes equipped with special gold-colored badges (the rear Malibu lettering and logo).
When a new Malibu was introduced on the Epsilon platform for 2004, the N-body Malibu was renamed Chevrolet Classic
and remained in production for the 2004 and 2005 model years, being restricted to rental car companies and fleet orders.
The 3.1 L V6 was updated in 2000 with a new power rating of 170 hp (127 kW), and the 2.4 L 4-cylinder was dropped after that year. However, a 4-cylinder was reintroduced in 2004 when the 2.2 L Ecotec
was offered on the Classic. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel mileage estimates for the 2.2L Ecotec engine are 24 miles per US gallon-34 miles per US gallon.
built for the SEMA
show in 2001. The car was painted in "Sublime Lime" by BASF
and featured a highly modified turbocharged 3500 SFI 60-degree V-6 (producing 230 hp at 5,000 RPM and 280 ft.lbf of torque at 2,900 RPM), a 4T65-E four-speed transmission
with overdrive
, a set of 19x8-inch wheels by Evo wrapped in Toyo
Proxes T1-S high-performance tires. Numerous interior modifications included a full-length custom center console, four black leather Sparco
racing seats, and a Kenwood
entertainment center (with radio, CD
, DVD
, TV
, 10-disc changer and numerous amps and speakers). Exterior modifications included custom HID
headlamps (both low and high beams), "Altezza" style taillights, and a custom bodykit.
Chevrolet produced the Cruiser as a concept
, and it was therefore never available for purchase. Their intent was to attract younger buyers to the stock model and demonstrate that aftermarket
modifications could be made.
The Malibu name was moved to the new Epsilon platform
based on the 2002 Opel Vectra
C for 2004. The Epsilon-based Malibu came in two bodystyles, a standard 4-door sedan and a 5-door Malibu Maxx station wagon
. The Maxx was advertised as a "five-door extended sedan", designed to have the utility but not the stigma of station wagons, and it was the first mid-size Chevrolet hatchback since the 1980s.
Base power came from a 2.2 L Ecotec L61 I4
producing 144 hp (108 kW). LS and LT trims originally had a 3.5 L 201 hp (149 kW) High Value LX9 V6 while both sedan and Maxx SS models were powered by the 3.9 L 240 hp High Value LZ9 V6. For 2007, the LX9 was replaced with the LZ4 V6, which in the Malibu produced 217 hp (162 kW). The L61 Ecotec was also updated for the 2007 model year with many improvements. A remote starter was also available, which was introduced on several other GM vehicles for 2004.
This generation of the Malibu initially debuted with a front fascia design featuring a wide grille
split horizontally by a prominent chrome bar that ran the entire width of the car, which was intended to make it resemble Chevrolet's truck
s. However, for 2006, the front end was updated with more conventional styling: the chrome bar was removed, and the grille itself was made smaller, bearing a resemblance to the grille on the previous Malibu. The car also added GM badges near the front doors.
The Malibu Maxx was discontinued for 2008. However, the Malibu sedans remained in production for fleet orders for the 2008 model year
. GM refers to these models as the Malibu Classic
. The cars themselves bear Malibu badges, unlike the past generation Classic.
trim was available on the Malibu and Malibu Maxx with the 3.9 L LZ9 V6 from 2006 to 2007, developing 240 hp and 240 ft-lbs and channeled through a 4T65-E four-speed automatic. Changes to differentiate the SS from the lower trims include side skirts, more aggressive front and rear clips, 18" wheels, and fog lights.
by Bryan Nesbitt
, under the direction of GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz — who was determined to make the nameplate competitive with Japanese mid-size cars. Extensive engineering and design went into the remodel.
The seventh generation Malibu is built on a revised version of the long-wheelbase
Epsilon
platform shared with the Saturn Aura
, the Opel Signum
, and Pontiac G6
. It is assembled in Kansas City, Kansas
. Overall, it is three inches (76 mm) longer, with a six inches (152 mm) longer wheelbase. Interior room remains mid-size, like the previous Malibus, and has been decreased from 101 cubic feet (2.9 m³) to 97.7 cubic feet (2.8 m³), despite having a longer wheelbase, although front legroom has increased from 41.9 in (1,064 mm) to 42.2 in (1,072 mm). Rear legroom has decreased from 38.5 in (978 mm) to 37.6 in (955 mm). The interior design has also been completely reworked, with a selection of two-tone color combinations (brick and tan two-tone), telescoping steering wheel, higher-quality materials and a twin-cowl dash design. Drag (Cd) is at 0.33.
The 2.4L I4 and 3.6L V6 engine have aluminum blocks and heads, dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, twin balance shafts, and variable valve timing
. The 3.5L V6 has aluminum heads, an iron block, overhead valves, and limited variable valve timing. The 3.5L V6 was offered as an upgrade for special-order fleet vehicles, to replace the Ecotec engine, and generally was not available for retail customers. The 3.5L V6 was not available in the LTZ. The 3.5L V6 with 4-speed transmission has been the only drivetrain available in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 models in Israel. Partially through the 2008 model year, the 2.4L Ecotec was offered with a 6-speed automatic transmission
. to improve performance and fuel economy.
For 2009 models, the six-speed transmission mated to the 2.4L 4-cylinder engine or the 217 horsepower 3.5L V6 mated to the 4-speed automatic were made available on the 1LT; the 6-speed is now standard on 2LT models. LS models were equipped with the 4-speed transmission only. A manual transmission
is not offered. All models are front-wheel drive
sedans, as Chevrolet dropped the Malibu MAXX station wagon
model.
Partway through the 2010 model year, the GM badges were removed from the front doors.
OnStar is now standard on all Malibu models (excluding fleet vehicles, where this feature is optional). Six air bags are also now standard: two dual-stage front bags, two side-impact curtain air bags protecting the heads of both front and rear passengers, and two side-impact thorax bags mounted in the front seats. Traction control
, electronic tire pressure monitoring system
, four-wheel disc brakes, antilock brakes, and daytime running lamps are now all standard included safety features on all Malibus. GM's StabiliTrak brand electronic stability control
is standard on all models including the very base LS model.
For 2011, the four-speed automatic transmission will be dropped from the Malibu powertrain lineup.
mild hybrid
, with the base inline-4 like the Saturn Aura
Green Line, is available offering an increased fuel economy of 24 miles per US gallon/32 miles per US gallon, which for the 2009 model, is now 26 miles per US gallon/34 miles per US gallon. The Malibu hybrid was dropped for the 2010 model year.
referring to it as being "like a super Accord
, but from GM" and Car and Driver
magazine declaring, "Camry
, Beware." It also garnered high praise from Motor Trend
magazine, being rated higher than the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima
in the magazine's 2008 Car of The Year
competition. Kelley Blue Book named it the "2008 best redesigned vehicle". Car and Driver stated that while it would not be "enough to steal the top-dog sales title from the perennial Honda and Toyota mid-sizers", they noted "for the first time since Chevrolet revived the storied nameplate in 1997, it has enough of what it needs to sell in significant numbers to the public, not just rental fleets".
Edmunds.com
has praised the Malibu's interior and exterior styling, quietness, and balance between ride and handling, while criticizing the thick C-pillars that obstruct the driver's view, the narrower chassis compared to other midsize cars (which reduces rear seating room and also lacks a center armrest) and lack of features such as dual-zone HVAC, Bluetooth compatibility, and keyless ignition.
While related platform-mate Saturn Aura
was criticized particularly for using cheap interior materials (long considered by critics as a problem area on many GM cars), this seemed to be improved in the Malibu. Writers of various reviews for the 2008 Malibu believe Chevy may finally be getting back on track in quality and excitement in the mid-size segment after a history of ordinary, bland offerings, such as the Celebrity
, Corsica
, Lumina
, and even the previous two generations of Malibu since its 1997 revival.
In January 2008, the new Malibu received the North American Car of the Year
award at the North American International Auto Show
in Detroit in voting among a panel of 50 automotive journalists in a field of entries, with the runners up being the 2008 Cadillac CTS and the 2008 Honda Accord. The Malibu's win marks the second straight year a car built on GM's Epsilon platform has won the North American COTY award with the 2007 North American COTY award having gone to the 2007 Saturn Aura
.
Initial sales results have been positive, with the Malibu joining the Cadillac CTS
and Buick Enclave
on a list of GM vehicles whose sales have exceeded expectations. The redesigned Malibu sold more than 50% more units in 2008 than in 2007, increasing GM's mid-size market share to 8.4% from 5.7%, while the Camry and Accord percentages remained flat at about 21% and 17.5%, according to GM. Sales to rental customers dropped to 27% of the total, as GM limited sales to rental fleets.
The short-lived Malibu Hybrid, along with its sister, the Saturn Aura
Green Line, which share the powertrain and other major components, was particularly criticized due to its lack of fuel savings and cost (relative to a standard 4-cylinder Malibu), plus the Hybrid's worsened driving dynamics.
The Malibu sedans will remain in production for fleet orders for the 2013 model year. GM will refer to these models as the Malibu Classic. The cars themselves will bear Malibu badges, unlike the past two generations of Classic.
in China
, and on Facebook, on April 18, 2011. It was also shown at the New York International Auto Show
in New York City
later in April. The production car will launch in January 2012, as a 2013 model in North America.
s. It will feature the Chevrolet MyLink touch-based system which connects electronic devices wirelessly and features a storage compartment behind the screen.
.
In Australia, the Malibu will replace the Holden Epica, and debut in 2012 as the Holden Malibu. It will fit between the Holden Cruze and Holden Commodore
.
In South Korea
, the Malibu replaces the Daewoo Tosca
, as GM has phased-out the Daewoo
brand in favor of Chevrolet. Korea will be the first market to get the Malibu, in late 2011, followed by China later in 2011 and North America in early 2012.
New grilles and rear decks with revised taillights highlighted the 1969 Malibus and other Chevelles. Instrument panels were revised and front seat headrests were now standard equipment due to federal safety mandate. The ignition switch moved from the instrument panel to the steering column and also doubled as a steering wheel lock. The 307 continued as the base V8, but the 327 engines were replaced by new 350 CID V8s of 255 hp. GM's three-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic transmission, previously only offered on SS-396 Chevelles, was now available on all models with all engines, including the six-cylinder and small-block V8s which in previous years were only available with the two-speed Powerglide.
For 1970, the Malibu was initially the only series of Chevelle offered, aside from the SS-396 and new SS-454, as the low-line 300 and 300 Deluxe models were discontinued, which also eliminated the two-door pillared coupes from the Chevelle lineup – which were never included in the Malibu series. New grilles, rear decks with taillights moved into the bumper and revised Sport Coupe roofline highlighted this year's changes. The standard six-cylinder engine was punched up from 230 CID to250 CID and 155 hp, while the same assortment of V8s carried over with the addition of a 330 hp, 400 CID V8 on non-SS Chevelles. At mid-year, the Malibu was rejoined by lower-line Chevelle models that were simply called the base Chevelle in both four-door sedans and two-door hardtops.
In 1971, Malibus and all other Chevelles got a new grille surrounded by single headlamps replacing the duals of previous years, and four round taillights similar to Camaros and Corvettes were located in the bumper. All engines were detuned to use lower-octane unleaded gasoline this year per GM corporate policy as a first step toward the catalytic converter-equipped cars planned for 1975 and later models which would require no-lead fuel.
Only new grilles highlighted the 1972 Malibu and other Chevelles. All bodystyles were carried over from 1971, but 1972 would be the final year for hardtops and convertibles as the redesigned Chevelles originally planned for this year, but delayed until 1973, would feature Colonnade styling with side pillars and frameless door windows.
Third generation (1973–1977)
For 1974, the Deluxe was dropped, and the Malibu became the entry-level Chevelle. The Laguna trim package was replaced with the Malibu Classic that had the unusual arrange for that time of 4 square headlights and made its way to the dealers in 1977 year model, offering the Chevy built inline six 250 CID as the base engine. The Laguna S-3 model was introduced to replace the SS
Super Sport
Super Sport, or SS, is the signature performance option package offered by Chevrolet, a United States Auto Maker, on a limited number of its vehicles. All SS models come with distinctive "SS" markings on their exterior. The package was first made available for the 1961 Impala...
, and continued through 1976.
Fourth generation (1978–1983)
For the 1978 model year, the Malibu name, which had been the bestselling badge in the lineup, replaced the ChevelleChevrolet Chevelle
The Chevrolet Chevelle is a mid-sized automobile produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors in three generations for the 1964 through 1977 model years. Part of the GM A-Body platform, the Chevelle was one of Chevrolet's most successful nameplates. Body styles include coupes, sedans,...
name. This was Chevrolet's second downsized
Downsize (automobile)
Downsizing in the automobile industry is the practice of redesigning a vehicle to retain the interior volume, and often the nameplate and styling of a larger car to a smaller, more efficient platform. General Motors was among the first to announce a downsize strategy for the whole company as a...
nameplate, following the lead of the 1977 Chevrolet Caprice
Chevrolet Caprice
The Chevrolet Caprice is a full-sized automobile produced by the Chevrolet Division of General Motors in North America for the 1965 through 1996 model years. Full-size Chevrolet sales peaked in 1965 with over a million sold. It was the most popular American car in the sixties and early seventies....
. The new, more efficient platform was over a foot shorter and had shed 500 pound compared to previous versions, yet offered increased trunk space, leg room, and head room. Only two trim levels were offered - Malibu and Malibu Classic. The Malibu Classic Landau series had a two-tone paint job on the upper and lower body sections, and a vinyl top.
Three bodystyles were produced (station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
, sedan, and coupe
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
). The sedan initially had a conservative six-window notchback
Notchback
Notchback is a styling term describing a car body style, a variation of three-box styling where the third distinct volume or "box" is less pronounced — especially where the rear deck is short or where the rear window is upright...
roofline, in contrast to the unusual fastback rooflines adopted by Oldsmobile and Buick divisions. To reduce cost, the windows in the rear doors of 4-door sedans were fixed, while the wagons had small moveable vents. No doubt this design contributed to the number of factory air conditioning units sold with the cars, to the benefit of General Motors and Chevy dealers. In 1981, sedans adopted a four-window profile and "formal" pillared upright roofline. The 2-door coupe was last produced in 1981. The 1982 Malibu was facelifted with more squared-off front styling marked by quad headlights with long, thin turn signals beneath them. The look was very reminiscent of the recently facelifted Chevrolet Caprice. For 1983, Malibus gained a block-style "Malibu" badge on the front fenders to replace the cursive-style script located on the rear quarter panels of previous model years.
The 4-door Malibu was also used in fleets, especially for law enforcement usage. After the Chevrolet Nova
Chevrolet Nova
The Chevrolet Chevy II/Nova is a compact automobile manufactured by the Chevrolet division of General Motors produced in four generations for the 1962 through 1979 model years. Nova was the top model in the Chevy II lineup through 1968. The Chevy II nameplate was dropped, Nova becoming the...
ceased production in 1979, the mid-size 9C1 police
Police car
A police car is a ground vehicle used by police, to assist with their duties in patrolling and responding to incidents. Typical uses of a police car include transportation for officers to reach the scene of an incident quickly, to transport criminal suspects, or to patrol an area, while providing a...
option (not to be confused with the full-size Chevrolet Impala
Chevrolet Impala
The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors introduced for the 1958 model year. Deriving its name from the southern African antelope, Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model through 1965 had become the best-selling automobile in the United...
9C1 which was also available) was transferred to the Malibu, filling a void for mid-sized police vehicles. A 9C1-equipped Malibu with an LT-1 Z-28 Camaro engine driven by E. Pierce Marshall
E. Pierce Marshall
Everett Pierce Marshall was an American businessman and a son of J. Howard Marshall II.According to a Dallas Morning News article, he was a very private man, but became known due to defending the long-running legal dispute from his father's third wife, Anna Nicole Smith.Marshall attended...
placed 13th of 47 in the 1979 Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash
Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash
The Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash, widely known simply as the Cannonball Baker or Cannonball Run, was an unofficial, if not outlaw, automobile race run four times in the 1970s from New York City and Darien, CT, on the US Atlantic coast, to Redondo Beach, a Los Angeles...
, better known as the Cannonball Run.
There was no factory Malibu SS option available from 1980. The SS only came in the El Camino.
The very rare 1980 Malibu M80 was a dealer package for only North and South Carolina in an effort to revive the muscle car era. It was, however, mostly aimed at NASCAR fans who regularly traveled to Darlington Raceway. To this day, the number actually produced is unknown; estimates place this around 1,901 cars. All M80s had to be white with dark blue bucket seats and center console interior. The base of the M80 was a 2-door sport coupe equipped with the F41 Sport Suspension package and the normal V8 (140 hp) drive train. The M80 option added two dark blue skunk stripes on top and a lower door stripe with the M80 identification. The package also added front and rear spoilers and 1981 steel rally wheels.
In Mexico, General Motors produced this generation in the Ramos Arizpe
Ramos Arizpe
Ramos Arizpe is a city and seat of the surrounding municipality of the same name in the Mexican state of Coahuila. Ramos Arizpe is located 11 km from the state capital of Saltillo. It is part of the Saltillo metropolitan area. The city reported a population of 48,228 in the 2005 census; the...
plant, which was sold during three years (1979 to '81). Mexican versions came in three trim levels (Chevelle, Malibu and Malibu Classic) and two body styles (sedan and coupe) with the 250 CID I-6 as basic engine and the 350 CID 260 hp V-8 as the optional; this engine was standard on Malibu Classic models during those three years. This was possible because the Mexican regulations about emissions were more flexible than in the U.S.A.
Iraqi taxi
In 1981, General Motors of CanadaGeneral Motors Canada
General Motors of Canada Limited is General Motors' Canadian division. Its national headquarters office, Canadian Regional Engineering Centre, and main manufacturing plants are located in Oshawa, Ontario. GM Canada is 100% owned by GM.As of Apr...
in Oshawa
Oshawa
Oshawa is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario approximately 60 kilometres east of downtown Toronto. It is commonly viewed as the eastern anchor of both the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe. It is now commonly referred to as the most...
produced a special order of 25,500 4-door Malibu sedans for Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein
Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti was the fifth President of Iraq, serving in this capacity from 16 July 1979 until 9 April 2003...
's Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
i government. The deal was reportedly worth well over $100 million to GMCL. These special-order Malibus carried the unusual combination of GM's lowest-power carburated V6, the 110 hp 229 CID engine mated to 3-speed transmission with a unique on-the-floor stick shifter. All of the cars were equipped with air conditioning, heavy duty cooling systems, AM/FM cassette decks, front bench seats, 200 km/h speedometers, tough tweed and vinyl upholstery and 14 inches (355.6 mm) stamped steel wheels with "baby moon" hubcaps.
However, only 13,000 units ever made it to Iraq, with the majority of the cars becoming taxis in Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
(once the cab-identifying orange paint was added to the front and rear fenders). With the remaining balance of about 12,500 additional Malibus either sitting on a dock in Halifax or awaiting port shipment in Oshawa
Oshawa
Oshawa is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the Lake Ontario shoreline. It lies in Southern Ontario approximately 60 kilometres east of downtown Toronto. It is commonly viewed as the eastern anchor of both the Greater Toronto Area and the Golden Horseshoe. It is now commonly referred to as the most...
, where they were built, the Iraqis suddenly cancelled the order in 1982. Excuses reportedly included various "quality concerns", including the inability of the local drivers to shift the finicky Saginaw manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
. This issue was eventually identified as being due to an apparent clutch release issue that eventually required on-site retrofitting by a crew of Canadian technicians sent to Iraq to support the infamous "Recall in the Desert". Later speculation was that the Iraqis were actually forced to back out for financial reasons, due to their escalating hostilities with Iran
Iran
Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...
requiring the immediate diversion of funds to support the Iraqi war effort. Then GM of Canada President Donald Hackworth was initially quoted as stating GMCL intended to still try to sell the Malibus overseas in other Middle East markets; however in the end, the orphaned "Iraqi Taxi" Malibus were all sold to the Canadian public at the greatly reduced price of about C$
Canadian dollar
The Canadian dollar is the currency of Canada. As of 2007, the Canadian dollar is the 7th most traded currency in the world. It is abbreviated with the dollar sign $, or C$ to distinguish it from other dollar-denominated currencies...
6,800. Over the years, they have acquired a low-key 'celebrity' status, sometimes being colloquially referred to as "Iraqibu".
NASCAR
The Malibu was an extensively used body style in NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
competition from 1973 to 1983. The Laguna S-3 variant, in particular, was extremely successful during the 1975-77 racing seasons, allowing Cale Yarborough
Cale Yarborough
William Caleb "Cale" Yarborough , is a farmer, businessman and former NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver and owner. He is one of only two drivers in NASCAR history to win three consecutive championships...
to win 20 races in those years as well as winning the NASCAR championship one year. As it was considered a limited edition model, NASCAR declared it ineligible for competition following the 1977 season, even though (given NASCARs three-year eligibility rule) it should have been allowed to run through 1979. Beginning in 1981, the downsized Malibu body style was eligible to run, but given its apparent boxy shape, only one driver Dave Marcis
Dave Marcis
Dave Marcis is a retired driver on the NASCAR Winston Cup circuit whose career spanned five decades. Marcis won five times over this tenure, twice at Richmond, including his final win in 1982...
ran it in 1981 and 1982, with one victory in a rain-shortened race at Richmond Fairgrounds in 1982.
Engines
The base 200 CID V-6 engine for the 1978 Chevrolet Malibu developed just 95 hp with optional upgrade to a 105 hp V-6, or 145 hp V-8. The largest 170 hp 350 CID V-8.Year Model Available Engines
78 = 200 V6 (95 hp), 231 (3.8 L) V6 (105 hp), 305 V8 (140 hp), 350 V8 (165 hp)
79 = 200 V6 (95 hp), 231 (3.8 L) V6 (115 hp), 267 V8 (125 hp), 305 V8 (140 hp), 350 V8 (165 hp)
80 = 229 V6 (110 hp), 231 (3.8 L) V6 (110 hp), 267 V8 (115 hp), 305 V8 (140 hp), 350 V8 (170 hp)
81 = 229 V6 (110 hp), 231 (3.8 L) V6 (110 hp), 267 V8 (115 hp), 305 V8 (140 hp), 350 V8 (170 hp)
82 = 229 V6 (110 hp), 231 (3.8 L) V6 (110 hp), 4.3 L V6 Diesel (85 hp), 305 V8, 350 V8 Diesel (105 hp)
83 = 229 V6 (110 hp), 231 (3.8 L) V6 (110 hp), 4.3 L V6 Diesel (85 hp), 305 V8, 350 V8 Diesel (105 hp)
G platform
Beginning in 1982, the Malibu shared GM's redesignated rear-wheel drive G platformGM G platform (RWD)
The General Motors G platform was an automobile platform designation used for mid-sized rear wheel drive cars first from 1969-1972 and again from 1982 to 1988....
with cars like the Pontiac Grand Prix
Pontiac Grand Prix
Picking up where the Pontiac Ventura model left off, the Grand Prix first appeared in the Pontiac line for 1962. It was essentially a standard Pontiac Catalina coupe with minimal outside chrome trim and a sportier interior...
, Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
The Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme was a mid-size car produced by General Motors for the American market. It was always at the top of the Cutlass range. It began as a trim package, developed its own roofline, and eventually was mechanically divorced from the later, smaller Cutlasses.The Cutlass Supreme...
and Buick Regal
Buick Regal
The Buick Regal is a mid-size car introduced by General Motors for the 1973 model year. North American production ended in 2004 and began again in 2011. For the 2011 model year, Buick re-introduced the Regal to the North American market, positioned as an upscale sport sedan...
. The Malibu Classic was last marketed in 1982; Malibus were produced as 4-door sedans until 1983, and as station wagons until 1984, at which time it was fully replaced by the front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
Chevrolet Celebrity
Chevrolet Celebrity
The Chevrolet Celebrity is a mid-size car produced by the Chevrolet Division of General Motors . The Celebrity was introduced in 1981 for the 1982 model year. The Celebrity was the best-selling car in the United States in 1986...
. Although the sedan and wagon were phased out, the El Camino
Chevrolet El Camino
The Chevrolet El Camino is a coupe utility vehicle produced by the Chevrolet division of General Motors for the 1959–1960 model years in response to the success of its rival, Ford Ranchero. Production resumed for the 1964–1977 model years based on the Chevelle platform, and continued for the...
utility
Coupé utility
The coupé utility automobile body style, also known colloquially as the ute in Australia and New Zealand, combines a two-door "coupé" cabin with an integral cargo bed behind the cabin—using a light-duty passenger vehicle-derived platform....
, which shared styling with the Malibu, remained in production until 1987.
Scale models
GM commissioned a 1/25 scale plastic promoPromo
Promo may refer to:*Promotion , one of the four aspects of marketing*Promotional music videos, such as those played on MTV*Promotional recording, a recording distributed free in order to promote a commercial recording...
of the El Camino from MPC, which was updated annually from 1978 to at least 1982. Kit versions of it were also made, and the tooling was later modified to an El Camino SS. Monogram also produced a '78 El Camino in their then-usual, slightly larger 1/24 scale, as well as a '79 police package sedan as a simplified 1/32 scale snap-together kit. Both have been reissued multiple times.
While the second generation body was widely replicated in many scales as die cast models and toys, this downsized generation was rarely represented, with Maisto producing an El Camino with quad headlights.
Fifth generation (1997–2003)
A new front-wheel driveFront-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
Malibu was introduced in 1997 on an extended wheelbase version of the GM N platform
GM N platform
The General Motors N platform was a front-wheel drive compact automotive platform produced from 1985 to 2005. The GM N platform replaced the GM X platform....
shared with the Buick Skylark
Buick Skylark
The Buick Skylark was a passenger car produced by the Buick division of General Motors. The model was made in six production runs. In each run, the car design varied dramatically due to changing technology and tastes, as well as new standards implemented over the years.-1953–1954:Introduced to mark...
, Oldsmobile Achieva
Oldsmobile Achieva
The Oldsmobile Achieva was introduced for the 1992 model year and was a front-wheel drive, compact car based on the GM N-body platform which it also shared with its siblings the Pontiac Grand Am and Buick Skylark...
, Oldsmobile Alero
Oldsmobile Alero
The Oldsmobile Alero was a compact car produced by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors from 1999 to 2004.The Alero was introduced in spring 1998 as a 1999 model to replace the Achieva and Cutlass. The Alero went into production on April 6, 1998. All Aleros were built in Lansing, Michigan...
and Pontiac Grand Am
Pontiac Grand Am
The original Grand Am was introduced in the fall of 1972 as a 1973 model. It was based on the GM A platform along with other cars such as the Pontiac LeMans, Pontiac GTO, Chevrolet Chevelle, Buick Century, and the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme...
. All N-body Malibus were produced at the Oklahoma City Assembly
Oklahoma City Assembly
Oklahoma City Assembly was a General Motors automobile factory in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Construction on the plant started in 1974, and it opened in 1979 to produce the X-body cars. The company spent $700,000,000 to convert the plant from building the Chevrolet Malibu car to building the GMT360...
plant (after 2002 it was retooled to build the GMT360 SUVs) and the Wilmington Assembly
Wilmington Assembly
Wilmington Assembly was a General Motors automobile factory in Wilmington, Delaware. The factory opened in 1947, closing its assembly line in 2009. Its final product was the GM Kappa platform sports cars. Production of the Saturn L-Series halted on June 17, 2004. In the 1950s and 1960s...
plant (1997 to 1999), before moving production to Lansing, Michigan
Lansing, Michigan
Lansing is the capital of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is located mostly in Ingham County, although small portions of the city extend into Eaton County. The 2010 Census places the city's population at 114,297, making it the fifth largest city in Michigan...
. The Wilmington plant was retooled to build the Saturn L-Series
Saturn L-series
The Saturn L-Series was a line of automobiles sold by General Motors' Saturn marque.The L-Series mid-size sedans and station wagons were introduced in 2000. They were based on the Opel Vectra B and manufactured at a GM plant in Wilmington, Delaware...
in 1999. The Oldsmobile Cutlass
Oldsmobile Cutlass
The Oldsmobile Cutlass is a line of automobiles made by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The Cutlass began as a unibody compact car, but saw its greatest success as a body-on-frame intermediate car....
was a clone of the Malibu that replaced the Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera
Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera
The Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera is a mid-size car that was sold from 1982 through 1996 by the Oldsmobile division of General Motors.It shared the front-wheel drive A platform with the very similar Buick Century, Pontiac 6000 and Chevrolet Celebrity; both Olds and Chevy considered using the Celebrity...
, but only lasted two years before being discontinued in 1999. The Malibu itself replaced the compact
Compact car
A compact car , or small family car , is a classification of cars which are larger than a supermini but smaller than or equal to a mid-size car...
Chevrolet Corsica
Chevrolet Corsica
The Chevrolet Corsica is a front-wheel drive compact car that was produced by General Motors from 1987 to 1996. The Corsica was built upon the L-body platform which was developed , as the successor to the X body...
. Power came from a 2.4 L 150 hp (112 kW) I4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
or 3.1 L 155 hp (116 kW) V6. The Malibu was Motor Trend
Motor Trend
Motor Trend is an American automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, issued by Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, and bearing the tag line "The Magazine for a Motoring World". Petersen Publishing was sold to British publisher EMAP in 1998, who sold the former Petersen...
magazine's Car of the Year
Car of the Year
Car of the Year is a phrase usually considered to have been invented by Motor Trend magazine in the 1950s for their annual award for best American automobile...
for 1997; this was later criticized by Car and Driver
Car and Driver
Car and Driver is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. Its total circulation is 1.31 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011...
in 2009, citing that the Malibu was insufficiently distinguishable in terms of performance or interior quality to warrant such praise in hindsight.
When a new Malibu was introduced on the Epsilon platform for 2004, the N-body Malibu was renamed Chevrolet Classic
Chevrolet Classic
General Motors used the Chevrolet Classic nameplate for the following vehicles:* The second generation Chevrolet Corsa, produced in Brazil since 2002...
and remained in production for the 2004 and 2005 model years, being restricted to rental car companies and fleet orders.
The 3.1 L V6 was updated in 2000 with a new power rating of 170 hp (127 kW), and the 2.4 L 4-cylinder was dropped after that year. However, a 4-cylinder was reintroduced in 2004 when the 2.2 L Ecotec
Ecotec
Ecotec is a General Motors trademark that refers to a series of emissions technologies that were implemented throughout a range of GM engines...
was offered on the Classic. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fuel mileage estimates for the 2.2L Ecotec engine are 24 miles per US gallon-34 miles per US gallon.
Engines
| Years | Engine | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997–1999.5 | 3.1 L GM 60° L82 V6 | 155 hp | 185 lbft |
| 1999.5–2003 | 3.1 L GM 60° LG8 V6 | 170 hp | 190 lbft |
| 1997–2000 | 2.4 L TwinCam LD9 I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
150 hp | 155 lbft |
| 2004–2005 | 2.2 L Ecotec L61 I4 | 144 hp | 155 lbft |
Malibu Cruiser
The February 2002 issue of HCI: Hot Compact & Imports magazine featured the Chevrolet Malibu Cruiser concept that GM Performance DivisionGM Performance Division
GM Performance Division is a division within General Motors that is responsible for developing performance vehicles for the various brands of GM. Its creations include the Super Sport vehicles from Chevrolet, the V-series from Cadillac, the GXP series from Pontiac, and the Red Line series from...
built for the SEMA
SEMA
Specialty Equipment Market Association of the automobile aftermarket was formed in 1963 by Roy Richter, Ed Iskenderian, Willie Garner, Bob Hedman, John Bartlett, Phil Weiand, Jr., Al Segal, Dean Moon, and Vic Edelbrock, Jr...
show in 2001. The car was painted in "Sublime Lime" by BASF
BASF
BASF SE is the largest chemical company in the world and is headquartered in Germany. BASF originally stood for Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik . Today, the four letters are a registered trademark and the company is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, London Stock Exchange, and Zurich Stock...
and featured a highly modified turbocharged 3500 SFI 60-degree V-6 (producing 230 hp at 5,000 RPM and 280 ft.lbf of torque at 2,900 RPM), a 4T65-E four-speed transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
with overdrive
Overdrive (mechanics)
Overdrive is a term used to describe a mechanism that allows an automobile to cruise at sustained speed with reduced engine RPM, leading to better fuel economy, lower noise and lower wear...
, a set of 19x8-inch wheels by Evo wrapped in Toyo
Toyo
TOYO may refer to:Places:*Tōyō, Kōchi, a town in Japan*Tōyo, Ehime, a former city in Japan*Toyo Province, a Japanese province divided in 683*Toyo, Democratic Republic of the CongoCorporations:*Toyo Engineering Corporation, Japan...
Proxes T1-S high-performance tires. Numerous interior modifications included a full-length custom center console, four black leather Sparco
Sparco
Sparco S.p.A is an Italian auto part and accessory company headquartered in Settimo Torinese, Turin, Italy that specializes in producing items such as seats, steering wheels, harnesses, racewear and helmets. Sparco branded alloy wheels are produced under licence by OZ Group...
racing seats, and a Kenwood
Kenwood
- Places :England* Kenwood , a part of Hampstead Heath, London, the location of** Kenwood House* Kenwood, in the parish of Kenton, Devon* Kenwood, St. George's Hill, John Lennon's home in Weybridge, SurreyUnited States* Kenwood, California...
entertainment center (with radio, CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
, DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
, TV
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
, 10-disc changer and numerous amps and speakers). Exterior modifications included custom HID
HID
HID may refer to:*HID Global, American-based manufacturer of access control products*HID, National Rail code for Hall i' th' Wood railway station, England*High-intensity discharge lamp, a type of electrical light...
headlamps (both low and high beams), "Altezza" style taillights, and a custom bodykit.
Chevrolet produced the Cruiser as a concept
Concept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
, and it was therefore never available for purchase. Their intent was to attract younger buyers to the stock model and demonstrate that aftermarket
Aftermarket (automotive)
The automotive aftermarket is the secondary market of the automotive industry, concerned with the manufacturing, remanufacturing, distribution, retailing, and installation of all vehicle parts, chemicals, tools, equipment and accessories for light and heavy vehicles, after the sale of the...
modifications could be made.
Sixth generation (2004–2008)
GM Epsilon platform
Epsilon is General Motors' mid-size front-wheel drive automobile platform. The architecture was developed by Opel, and debuted in the 2002 Opel Vectra and 2003 Saab 9-3. Since this platform falls squarely in the center of the worldwide automobile market, GM plans to produce a great many Epsilon...
based on the 2002 Opel Vectra
Opel Vectra
The Opel Vectra is a large family car that was engineered and produced by Opel. In the United Kingdom, the car was sold under the Vauxhall marque as the Vauxhall Cavalier and later as the Vauxhall Vectra, from 1995 onwards...
C for 2004. The Epsilon-based Malibu came in two bodystyles, a standard 4-door sedan and a 5-door Malibu Maxx station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
. The Maxx was advertised as a "five-door extended sedan", designed to have the utility but not the stigma of station wagons, and it was the first mid-size Chevrolet hatchback since the 1980s.
Base power came from a 2.2 L Ecotec L61 I4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
producing 144 hp (108 kW). LS and LT trims originally had a 3.5 L 201 hp (149 kW) High Value LX9 V6 while both sedan and Maxx SS models were powered by the 3.9 L 240 hp High Value LZ9 V6. For 2007, the LX9 was replaced with the LZ4 V6, which in the Malibu produced 217 hp (162 kW). The L61 Ecotec was also updated for the 2007 model year with many improvements. A remote starter was also available, which was introduced on several other GM vehicles for 2004.
Grille
A grille or grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal sheet or other barrier, usually to let air or water enter and/or leave but keep larger objects including people and animals in or out.-Spelling:In the United States, "grille" is used to differentiate the automotive...
split horizontally by a prominent chrome bar that ran the entire width of the car, which was intended to make it resemble Chevrolet's truck
Truck
A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport cargo. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile...
s. However, for 2006, the front end was updated with more conventional styling: the chrome bar was removed, and the grille itself was made smaller, bearing a resemblance to the grille on the previous Malibu. The car also added GM badges near the front doors.
The Malibu Maxx was discontinued for 2008. However, the Malibu sedans remained in production for fleet orders for the 2008 model year
Model year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
. GM refers to these models as the Malibu Classic
Chevrolet Classic
General Motors used the Chevrolet Classic nameplate for the following vehicles:* The second generation Chevrolet Corsa, produced in Brazil since 2002...
. The cars themselves bear Malibu badges, unlike the past generation Classic.
Engines
| Years | Engine | Power | Torque |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2 L Ecotec L61 I4 Straight-4 The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft.... |
144 hp | 155 lbft | |
| 3.5 L High Value LX9 V6 | 200 hp | 220 lbft | |
| 3.5 L High Value LZ4 V6 | 217 hp | 220 lbft | |
| 3.9 L High Value LZ9 V6 | 240 hp | 240 lbft |
SS
A special SSSuper Sport
Super Sport, or SS, is the signature performance option package offered by Chevrolet, a United States Auto Maker, on a limited number of its vehicles. All SS models come with distinctive "SS" markings on their exterior. The package was first made available for the 1961 Impala...
trim was available on the Malibu and Malibu Maxx with the 3.9 L LZ9 V6 from 2006 to 2007, developing 240 hp and 240 ft-lbs and channeled through a 4T65-E four-speed automatic. Changes to differentiate the SS from the lower trims include side skirts, more aggressive front and rear clips, 18" wheels, and fog lights.
Seventh generation (2008–2012)
The Malibu was redesigned for the 2008 model yearModel year
The model year of a product is a number used worldwide, but with a high level of prominence in North America, to describe approximately when a product was produced, and indicates the coinciding base specification of that product....
by Bryan Nesbitt
Bryan Nesbitt
Bryan Nesbitt is an automobile designer and currently head of General Motors Corporation International Operations Design, based in Shanghai, China. Nesbitt is also brand chairman for Wuling and Baojun, two automakers with which G.M...
, under the direction of GM Vice Chairman Robert Lutz — who was determined to make the nameplate competitive with Japanese mid-size cars. Extensive engineering and design went into the remodel.
The seventh generation Malibu is built on a revised version of the long-wheelbase
Wheelbase
In both road and rail vehicles, the wheelbase is the distance between the centers of the front and rear wheels.- Road :In automobiles, the wheelbase is the horizontal distance between the center of the front wheel and the center of the rear wheel...
Epsilon
GM Epsilon platform
Epsilon is General Motors' mid-size front-wheel drive automobile platform. The architecture was developed by Opel, and debuted in the 2002 Opel Vectra and 2003 Saab 9-3. Since this platform falls squarely in the center of the worldwide automobile market, GM plans to produce a great many Epsilon...
platform shared with the Saturn Aura
Saturn Aura
The Saturn Aura is a mid-size car produced under the Saturn brand of American automaker General Motors. It debuted as a concept car at the North American International Auto Show in January 2005. The production model of the Aura was shown at the 2006 New York Auto Show in April, with production...
, the Opel Signum
Opel Signum
The Opel Signum was a large family car/executive hatchback engineered and manufactured by Opel in Germany between 2003 and 2008. It was almost exclusively sold in Europe. In the United Kingdom it was sold under the Vauxhall Signum nameplate...
, and Pontiac G6
Pontiac G6
The Pontiac G6 was a mid-size car produced under the Pontiac brand of American automaker General Motors.It was introduced in the fall of 2004 to replace the Grand Am. The car was built on the GM Epsilon platform which it shared with the Chevrolet Malibu and Saab 9-3 along with other General Motors...
. It is assembled in Kansas City, Kansas
Kansas City, Kansas
Kansas City is the third-largest city in the state of Kansas and is the county seat of Wyandotte County. It is a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, and is the third largest city in the Kansas City Metropolitan Area. The city is part of a consolidated city-county government known as the "Unified...
. Overall, it is three inches (76 mm) longer, with a six inches (152 mm) longer wheelbase. Interior room remains mid-size, like the previous Malibus, and has been decreased from 101 cubic feet (2.9 m³) to 97.7 cubic feet (2.8 m³), despite having a longer wheelbase, although front legroom has increased from 41.9 in (1,064 mm) to 42.2 in (1,072 mm). Rear legroom has decreased from 38.5 in (978 mm) to 37.6 in (955 mm). The interior design has also been completely reworked, with a selection of two-tone color combinations (brick and tan two-tone), telescoping steering wheel, higher-quality materials and a twin-cowl dash design. Drag (Cd) is at 0.33.
Powertrain
The seventh generation Malibu offered these engine choices:| Years | Disp. | Series | HP | Torque (Lb-ft) | Description | Transmission | EPA City | EPA Hwy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–2010 | 2.4L | LE5 | 169 | 162 | Ecotec inline-4 | 4-speed automatic | 22 | 30 |
| 2008–present | 2.4L | LE5 | 169 | 162 | Ecotec inline-4 | 6-speed automatic | 22 | 33 |
| 2008–2009 | 2.4L | LAT | 164 | 159 | Ecotec Hybrid inline-4 | 4-speed automatic | 26 | 34 |
| 2008–2010 | 3.5L | LZ4 | 217 | 214 | High Value V6 | 4-speed automatic | 19 | 29 |
| 2008–present | 3.6L | LY7 | 252 | 251 | High Feature V6 | 6-speed automatic | 17 | 26 |
The 2.4L I4 and 3.6L V6 engine have aluminum blocks and heads, dual overhead cams, four valves per cylinder, twin balance shafts, and variable valve timing
Variable valve timing
In internal combustion engines, variable valve timing , also known as Variable valve actuation , is a generalized term used to describe any mechanism or method that can alter the shape or timing of a valve lift event within an internal combustion engine...
. The 3.5L V6 has aluminum heads, an iron block, overhead valves, and limited variable valve timing. The 3.5L V6 was offered as an upgrade for special-order fleet vehicles, to replace the Ecotec engine, and generally was not available for retail customers. The 3.5L V6 was not available in the LTZ. The 3.5L V6 with 4-speed transmission has been the only drivetrain available in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 models in Israel. Partially through the 2008 model year, the 2.4L Ecotec was offered with a 6-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
. to improve performance and fuel economy.
For 2009 models, the six-speed transmission mated to the 2.4L 4-cylinder engine or the 217 horsepower 3.5L V6 mated to the 4-speed automatic were made available on the 1LT; the 6-speed is now standard on 2LT models. LS models were equipped with the 4-speed transmission only. A manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
is not offered. All models are front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
sedans, as Chevrolet dropped the Malibu MAXX station wagon
Station wagon
A station wagon is a body style variant of a sedan/saloon with its roof extended rearward over a shared passenger/cargo volume with access at the back via a third or fifth door , instead of a trunk lid...
model.
Partway through the 2010 model year, the GM badges were removed from the front doors.
OnStar is now standard on all Malibu models (excluding fleet vehicles, where this feature is optional). Six air bags are also now standard: two dual-stage front bags, two side-impact curtain air bags protecting the heads of both front and rear passengers, and two side-impact thorax bags mounted in the front seats. Traction control
Traction control system
A traction control system , also known as anti-slip regulation , is typically a secondary function of the anti-lock braking system on production motor vehicles, designed to prevent loss of traction of driven road wheels...
, electronic tire pressure monitoring system
Tire pressure monitoring system
-General:A Tire Pressure Monitoring System is a system designed to monitor the air pressure inside the pneumatic tires on various types of vehicles...
, four-wheel disc brakes, antilock brakes, and daytime running lamps are now all standard included safety features on all Malibus. GM's StabiliTrak brand electronic stability control
Electronic stability control
Electronic stability control is a computerized technology that may potentially improve the safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids. When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help "steer" the vehicle where the driver intends to go...
is standard on all models including the very base LS model.
For 2011, the four-speed automatic transmission will be dropped from the Malibu powertrain lineup.
Malibu Hybrid
A BASBelt alternator starter
- Generation I BAS :General Motors introduced a mild hybrid system called belt alternator starter in the 2007 Saturn Vue Green Line. The BAS system is also used in the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and Saturn Aura Green Line...
mild hybrid
Mild Hybrid
Mild hybrids are essentially conventional fossil-fuel vehicles equipped with a large electric machine allowing the engine to be turned off whenever the car is coasting, braking, or stopped, yet restart quickly...
, with the base inline-4 like the Saturn Aura
Saturn Aura
The Saturn Aura is a mid-size car produced under the Saturn brand of American automaker General Motors. It debuted as a concept car at the North American International Auto Show in January 2005. The production model of the Aura was shown at the 2006 New York Auto Show in April, with production...
Green Line, is available offering an increased fuel economy of 24 miles per US gallon/32 miles per US gallon, which for the 2009 model, is now 26 miles per US gallon/34 miles per US gallon. The Malibu hybrid was dropped for the 2010 model year.
Reception
The 2008 Malibu has received critical praise from the automotive press, with The New York TimesThe New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
referring to it as being "like a super Accord
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a series of compact, mid-size and full-size automobiles manufactured by Honda since 1976, and sold in a majority of automotive markets throughout the world....
, but from GM" and Car and Driver
Car and Driver
Car and Driver is an American automotive enthusiast magazine. Its total circulation is 1.31 million. It is owned by Hearst Magazines, who purchased prior owner Hachette Filipacchi Media U.S. in 2011...
magazine declaring, "Camry
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a series of mid-size automobiles manufactured by Toyota since 1982, and sold in the majority of automotive markets throughout the world...
, Beware." It also garnered high praise from Motor Trend
Motor Trend
Motor Trend is an American automobile magazine. It first appeared in September 1949, issued by Petersen Publishing Company in Los Angeles, and bearing the tag line "The Magazine for a Motoring World". Petersen Publishing was sold to British publisher EMAP in 1998, who sold the former Petersen...
magazine, being rated higher than the Honda Accord and Nissan Altima
Nissan Altima
The Nissan Altima is a mid-size automobile manufactured by Nissan, and is arguably a continuation of the Nissan Bluebird line, which began in 1957. It has historically been larger, more powerful, and more luxurious than the Nissan Sentra but less so than the Nissan Maxima. The Altima is available...
in the magazine's 2008 Car of The Year
Motor Trend Car of the Year
The Motor Trend Car of the Year is an award given by Motor Trend magazine, an American monthly that is published since 1949.- Background :...
competition. Kelley Blue Book named it the "2008 best redesigned vehicle". Car and Driver stated that while it would not be "enough to steal the top-dog sales title from the perennial Honda and Toyota mid-sizers", they noted "for the first time since Chevrolet revived the storied nameplate in 1997, it has enough of what it needs to sell in significant numbers to the public, not just rental fleets".
Edmunds.com
Edmunds.com
Edmunds.com is a provider of automotive information via Web sites, books, and other media. The company is headquartered in Santa Monica, California and maintains an office outside of Detroit, Michigan...
has praised the Malibu's interior and exterior styling, quietness, and balance between ride and handling, while criticizing the thick C-pillars that obstruct the driver's view, the narrower chassis compared to other midsize cars (which reduces rear seating room and also lacks a center armrest) and lack of features such as dual-zone HVAC, Bluetooth compatibility, and keyless ignition.
While related platform-mate Saturn Aura
Saturn Aura
The Saturn Aura is a mid-size car produced under the Saturn brand of American automaker General Motors. It debuted as a concept car at the North American International Auto Show in January 2005. The production model of the Aura was shown at the 2006 New York Auto Show in April, with production...
was criticized particularly for using cheap interior materials (long considered by critics as a problem area on many GM cars), this seemed to be improved in the Malibu. Writers of various reviews for the 2008 Malibu believe Chevy may finally be getting back on track in quality and excitement in the mid-size segment after a history of ordinary, bland offerings, such as the Celebrity
Chevrolet Celebrity
The Chevrolet Celebrity is a mid-size car produced by the Chevrolet Division of General Motors . The Celebrity was introduced in 1981 for the 1982 model year. The Celebrity was the best-selling car in the United States in 1986...
, Corsica
Chevrolet Corsica
The Chevrolet Corsica is a front-wheel drive compact car that was produced by General Motors from 1987 to 1996. The Corsica was built upon the L-body platform which was developed , as the successor to the X body...
, Lumina
Chevrolet Lumina
The North American Chevrolet Lumina sedan , coupe and minivan were first introduced in 1989 for the 1990 model year as a new range of vehicles from the Chevrolet brand of General Motors to replace the Chevrolet Camaro, Chevrolet Celebrity sedan, and the Monte Carlo coupe. The Lumina was an answer...
, and even the previous two generations of Malibu since its 1997 revival.
In January 2008, the new Malibu received the North American Car of the Year
North American Car of the Year
The North American Car of the Year is an automobile award voted annually in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The jury consists of no more than 50 automotive journalists.-Example:-Pre-1994:-1994-1999:-2000-2009:...
award at the North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
in Detroit in voting among a panel of 50 automotive journalists in a field of entries, with the runners up being the 2008 Cadillac CTS and the 2008 Honda Accord. The Malibu's win marks the second straight year a car built on GM's Epsilon platform has won the North American COTY award with the 2007 North American COTY award having gone to the 2007 Saturn Aura
Saturn Aura
The Saturn Aura is a mid-size car produced under the Saturn brand of American automaker General Motors. It debuted as a concept car at the North American International Auto Show in January 2005. The production model of the Aura was shown at the 2006 New York Auto Show in April, with production...
.
Initial sales results have been positive, with the Malibu joining the Cadillac CTS
Cadillac CTS
The Cadillac CTS is a mid-size car manufactured by the Cadillac marque of General Motors currently available in three body styles: Sedan, Coupe, and Sport Wagon. It was introduced in 2002 as a sports sedan, replacing the Cadillac Catera. The CTS and the supercharged CTS-V variant have been named...
and Buick Enclave
Buick Enclave
The Buick Enclave is a full-size crossover SUV launched in May 2007 as a 2008 model by the Buick division of General Motors. The Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, Chevrolet Traverse, and Saturn Outlook all share the GM Lambda platform. The Enclave was previewed at the 2006 North American International...
on a list of GM vehicles whose sales have exceeded expectations. The redesigned Malibu sold more than 50% more units in 2008 than in 2007, increasing GM's mid-size market share to 8.4% from 5.7%, while the Camry and Accord percentages remained flat at about 21% and 17.5%, according to GM. Sales to rental customers dropped to 27% of the total, as GM limited sales to rental fleets.
The short-lived Malibu Hybrid, along with its sister, the Saturn Aura
Saturn Aura
The Saturn Aura is a mid-size car produced under the Saturn brand of American automaker General Motors. It debuted as a concept car at the North American International Auto Show in January 2005. The production model of the Aura was shown at the 2006 New York Auto Show in April, with production...
Green Line, which share the powertrain and other major components, was particularly criticized due to its lack of fuel savings and cost (relative to a standard 4-cylinder Malibu), plus the Hybrid's worsened driving dynamics.
The Malibu sedans will remain in production for fleet orders for the 2013 model year. GM will refer to these models as the Malibu Classic. The cars themselves will bear Malibu badges, unlike the past two generations of Classic.
Eighth generation (2012–)
The next generation Malibu moves to GM Epsilon II platform and debuts in the 2013 model year. The new Malibu will become a global vehicle, replacing both the North American Malibu and GM Korea vehicles previously sold around the world. The Malibu was unveiled as a show car simultaneously at Auto ShanghaiAuto Shanghai
Auto Shanghai is a biennial international automobile show that alternates with the Beijing Auto Show and dates to its inception in 1985...
in China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
, and on Facebook, on April 18, 2011. It was also shown at the New York International Auto Show
New York International Auto Show
The New York International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in New York City in late March or early April. It is usually held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. It usually opens on or just before Easter weekend and closes on the first Sunday after Easter...
in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
later in April. The production car will launch in January 2012, as a 2013 model in North America.
Features
The Malibu will be offered with four-cylinder engines and six-speed automatic transmissionAutomatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
s. It will feature the Chevrolet MyLink touch-based system which connects electronic devices wirelessly and features a storage compartment behind the screen.
Safety
Standard safety features on the Malibu include dual-stage front airbags for the driver and front passenger, along with pelvic/thorax side-impact and knee airbags up front also. Roof rail airbags with rollover protection will also be standard. Also available as option extras are second-row head/thorax side-impact airbags, lane departure warning system with forward collision alert and a rearview camera system.Markets
The Malibu will be available in "nearly 100 countries on six continents". In the United States, it will be manufactured in two plants, Fairfax, KS and Detroit-HamtramckDetroit/Hamtramck Assembly
Detroit/Hamtramck Assembly is a General Motors automobile factory straddling the border between Detroit and Hamtramck, Michigan. It is located about three miles from corporate headquarters and has been used for production of Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile, and Cadillac products.-History:The site...
.
In Australia, the Malibu will replace the Holden Epica, and debut in 2012 as the Holden Malibu. It will fit between the Holden Cruze and Holden Commodore
Holden Commodore
The Holden Commodore is an automobile manufactured since 1978 by the Holden subsidiary of General Motors in Australia, and, formerly, in New Zealand. In the mid-1970s, Holden established proposals to replace the long-serving Kingswood nameplate with a smaller, Opel-based model...
.
In South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
, the Malibu replaces the Daewoo Tosca
Daewoo Tosca
The Daewoo Tosca is a mid-size car built by GM Daewoo in South Korea and marketed worldwide by General Motors as the Chevrolet Epica, Chevrolet Tosca and Holden Epica. Codenamed V250, it replaces the Daewoo Magnus and its derivatives. The Chevrolet Epica was officially launched in Europe at the...
, as GM has phased-out the Daewoo
GM Daewoo
GM Korea Company is South Korea's second largest automobile manufacturer and is a division of the General Motors Company. GM Korea's roots go back to the former Daewoo which was split from its parent company, Daewoo Group, in 2001...
brand in favor of Chevrolet. Korea will be the first market to get the Malibu, in late 2011, followed by China later in 2011 and North America in early 2012.
Engine
| Gasoline | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | Power | Torque | Transmission | Years |
| 2500 cc Ecotec I4 | 140 kW | 245 newton metre | GM 6T40 transmission The Hydra-Matic 6T40 and similar 6T45 and 6T30 are transversely-mounted six speed automatic transmissions produced by General Motors. The 6T40 made its debut in the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu, available with the 2.4 litre LE5 Ecotec engine making , and has since also be made available on the... automatic Automatic transmission An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually... |
MY 2013 - |
| Diesel |
Yearly American sales
| Calendar Year | Total American sales |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 207,376 |
| 2001 | 176,583 |
| 2002 | 169,377 |
| 2003 | 122,771 |
| 2004 | 179,806 |
| 2005 | 203,503 |
| 2006 | 163,853 |
| 2007 | 128,312 |
| 2008 | 178,253 |
| 2009 | 161,568 |
| 2010 | 198,770 |
External links
- The official website of the Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Maxx
- Automotive History Online Chevrolet Malibu history & photos
- Online Chevelle Malibu Information & Resource Portal
- CNN Money: Chevy Malibu Wins Car of the Year
- ChevroletProblems.com: Chevrolet Malibu
- JB car pages: Chevrolet Malibu
- Chevy Malibu Forum
- Chevy Malibu Forum