Chevrolet Malibu comes back as an affordable mid-size sedan
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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MALIBU, Calif. -- California's Santa Monica Mountains tower over that elite beach enclave of Malibu, where movie stars hang out and in their ostentatious display drive some of the priciest cars on our planet.
You'll spot these mega-bucks wheels zipping along the serpentine Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu's main street, and in the mountains screaming around dicy curves of Malibu Canyon or racing along ridge routes like Mulholland Drive.
Had you cruised these crinkled mountain roads recently, though, you would have spied another kind of Malibu car, one whose sticker price adds up to far fewer digits than what applies to those ultra-expensive exotics.
Malibu the trendy California beach colony, you see, served as site gimmick for automotive writers to experience Malibu the car, Chevrolet's affordable new sedan.
Remember another Malibu, Chevy's nameplate that emerged in 1968?
Malibu Super Sport as sporty coupe or sedan derivative of mid-size Chevelle became a hot item three decades ago, ultimately accounting for millions upon millions of sales until its demise in 1983.
For 1997, the Malibu badge returns to Chevrolet, but that nameplate's the only familiar aspect because all other facets about Chevy's Malibu sedan -- from crisp sheetmetal shapes outside to interior comforts and competitive price tags -- come forth as fresh and unique.
With four doors and seats for five, two engine options and a pair of trims, Malibu the car squeezes into a new slot in Chevrolet's sedan lineup sized between the larger mid-size Lumina and budget-priced subcompact Cavalier.
Malibu's 107-inch wheelbase suggests that it may rank in the compact class, although Chevy's designers carved out so much interior space that it officially fits into the mid-size category.
Like Lumina and Cavalier, Malibu packs aboard a lot of nice features for prices that cut below competitors.
A base Malibu with 4-cylinder engine, for instance, arrives at market for figures that fall below $18,000, while the Malibu LS with V6 horsepower lists for a few bucks less than $20,000.
In the Santa Monica Mountains above Malibu, one test-driver steered both the base and upgraded Malibu sedans through some of the most demanding turn sets on the continent -- and these new cars responded to each curve with surprising agility.
Malibu's new chassis wiggled only slightly in deference to lateral forces of motion, the independent suspension in coil-over-strut design dampened inevitable pavement chatter as a quick-to-respond steering system communicated to fingers locked on steering wheel what they needed to feel for judging speed and acuity when navigating each turn.
Playing these curves over a narrow strip of pavement warped high above the Malibu colony, I had to remind myself that the car performing these feats was actually an economical mid-size model from Chevrolet.
Malibu, I realized, offers nice new driving characteristics to match its streamlined silhouette.
It's so active, yet tight and poised, you might mistake the pliant spirit for that of an import.
Unlike most imports, though, Malibu creates generous space for people in the new cabin which contains comfortable seats, handy accessories and friendly instruments.
It begins with a safety-cage superstructure with strong cross bracing to eliminate squeaks, front frame cradle to mount suspension elements and crash crumple zones.
To this platform developers added dynamic control systems such as rack and pinion steering and the 4-wheel independent suspension with MacPherson struts plus front and rear stabilizer bars to stem body sway.
Then they wrapped the package in steel molded to a pleasing shape which cuts through the wind of motion and makes a comfortable styling statement.
Malibu's nose slinks low, its front grille appears narrow to match slits of aero-style headlamps, the hoodline becomes a bold sloping plane leading to windshield contours.
Compared to some extreme statements with excessive glass and forward-canted cabins, Malibu's design flows from more conventional architecture. Thus, its overall appearance seems rooted in mainstream taste, and the interior also caters to a mass appeal.
That's as it should be, perhaps, because Malibu addresses a broad base, in the manner Chevrolet once marketed all models -- economical cars anyone would like.
Inside, Malibu piles on equipment and comforts.
The base model contains conveniences often considered optional, like air conditioning, form-fitting front bucket seats separated by center console with armrest, a vast glove compartment and multiple other storage recesses, analog instruments including tachometer, tilting steering column and stereo sound.
Malibu LS adds power controls for windows, mirrors and door locks, along with 6-way power buttons for the driver's bucket seat, split-folding rear seatback, remote keyless entry system, a cassette deck added to the sound system, and exterior perks like foglamps and aluminum wheels.
Anti-lock brakes appear as standard safety feature for both models, as do dual airbags and daytime running lights.
For power, Malibu has a new 4-cylinder base engine.
The in-line four, a General Motors plant that once sounded rough before balanced shafts smoothed vibrations, now carries twin cams on top with revised camshaft timing and increased displacement to 2.4 liters. These revisions increase mid-range torque and enhance fuel efficiency.
It produces 150 horsepower, but torque runs to 155 lbs/ft at 4400 rpm and fuel numbers bump to 23/32 mpg.
Malibu's 3.1-liter V6, delivering 155 hp, serves as excellent low-cost option at entry level but ranks as standard for Malibu LS. Low-speed torque is substantial: Depress the accelerator and it leaps to action.
Both engines connect to GM's electronic automatic 4-speed transmission, smoothest to shift in the business.
Expect another best-seller for Chevrolet with Malibu because it will sate a broad spectrum of buyers due to comforts, good manners and value-added price points.
1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU
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| 1997 CHEVROLET MALIBU VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
Mid-size sedan |
| Model Options: |
Mid-size sedan |
| Wheelbase: |
107.0 inches |
| Overall Length: |
190.4 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 2.4-L I4
OHV 3.1-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4 |
| Drive: |
Front |
| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/ABS |
| Airbags: |
2 |
| Gas Mileage: |
I4: 23/32 mpg
V6: 20/29 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 18,000 to $ 21,000 |
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