|
Chevrolet Malibu sedan born again on rigid Epsilon platform
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
|
MALIBU, Calif. -- The serpentine PCH -- Pacific Coast Highway -- winds for miles along California's coast through the exclusive beach community of Malibu, where movie stars and industry moguls hang out and bankroll some of the priciest cars in the world.
You'll spot these mega-bucks vehicles ripping up the PCH, Malibu's main street, or in the Santa Monica Mountains zipping around curves of Malibu Canyon or romping along ridge routes like Mulholland Drive.
But we're cruising around in a different kind of Malibu car, one where the window sticker shows far fewer digits than on those ultra-expensive exotics.
Malibu the California beach colony, you see, works as our track to test the born-again creation of Malibu the car, Chevrolet's affordable mid-size sedan.
The Malibu nameplate first appeared in Chevy's lineup more than three decades ago and the Malibu Super Sport as a sporty coupe or sedan derivative of the mid-size Chevelle became a hot commodity, ultimately accounting for millions upon millions of car sales until its demise in 1983.
Then in 1997, the Malibu badge returned to Chevrolet in the format of a mid-size sedan with four doors and seats for five, two engine options and several trim designations with competitive price tags.
It become a popular choice for dependable family transportation due to pleasant driving traits and multiple features for convenience usually found only on a list of optional equipment.
But in the 2004 Chevy line, Malibu shows up as an entirely new car cast on the General Motors Epsilon platform that also underpins the 9-3 sedan by Sweden's Saab.
The new Malibu looks sleek and stylish and comes with a spacious five-seat cabin that has a fold-flat seatback for the front passenger bucket and a rear split bench for flexibility when arranging passengers and cargo.
Malibu's nose slinks low to the point of a linear grille punctuated by oversized multi-lens headlamp clusters that wrap around the front corners.
Flanks are relatively smooth but flat in chiseled format and the tail deck is high with triangular taillamps cut into sides of a creased tail.
Overall, the package seems sleek and cool as marked by fresh and progressive lines.
We don't think history repeats itself, although we drove the original Malibu sedan over the roads in Malibu to get an idea how it handled, and we're steering the new Malibu version around the same Malibu routes.
The difference is that this new car drives and handles like a completely different vehicle.
From a handling angle, it's stiff in structure with a firm suspension at work and quick-to-turn steering.
Suspension consists of independent MacPherson struts up front with a four-link independent unit at the rear.
The rack and pinion steering system employs electric power with variable assist.
And there's a surprising kick in the throttle.
Like the original Malibu sedan, there are two powertrain options but the new plants feel more lively and pull down better fuel economy figures.
GM's EcoTec four-pack works as Malibu's entry-level engine. This modern plant -- a dual-cam design displacing 2.2 liters and mustering a hardy 145 hp at 5600 rpm plus 155 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm -- was developed as a universal engine for service in various brands of General Motors.
It runs in quiet fashion but acts feisty with snappy acceleration and the fuel consumption numbers hit 34 mpg.
Malibu's two up-level trims -- LS and top-grade LT -- stock a GM 3.5-liter V6.
Power ratings indicate the V6 produces 200 hp at 5400 rpm and as much as 220 lb-ft of torque at 3200 rpm. Expect it to earn 23 mpg in town and 32 mpg for highway cruising.
Both engines connect to GM's electronic automatic 4-speed Hydra-Matic 4T45-E transmission, one of the smoothest on the market.
And it comes with a clever shift-it-yourself button set on the side of the shifter stalk.
Drop it down to Low and you'll be able to work through gears one, two and three as you wish for precise shift control.
The Epsilon platform employed for the new Malibu features a long wheelbase and wide track with world-class chassis dynamics that set up superior handling traits.
Overall dimensions for Malibu measure slightly less than the predecessor in length but there's more cabin volume due to increased width and height.
The wheelbase stretches to 106.3 inches (clipping off 0.7 inches) and the overall length of 188.3 inches is 2.1 inches less, while the body expands in width for half an inch and it's 1.5 inches taller.
You end up with more headroom in the front seat and more space for shoulders and legs on the rear seat.
Malibu's revamped cabin is a handsome compartment in tailored treatment with flexible flip-and-fold seats and a generous cargo compartment in the rear.
The plan at first seems conventional with a pair of bucket seats up front and a bench for three in back.
However, the back of the right front bucket folds forward to form a flat horizontal surface, and backs of the rear bench, split into two sections of 60/40 percent, also fold flat on the same plane as the folded front seatback.
Long cargo items like 2x4 lumber or a rolled up rug can be stacked on top of these folded seats and extended from the dashboard rearward to the trunk's back bulkhead.
Large round analog gauges dot the dashboard instrument cluster and every Malibu stocks a steering wheel with tilt/telescope movement, power windows and locks and mirrors, plus power height control for the driver's seat.
Malibu LS and LT gain more standard items, including power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals.
A factory-installed remote starter package appears on the list of options, along with curtain-style air bags.
price points look good for Malibu with the base edition promoting a low MSRP of $18,370. The Malibu LS lists for $20,370 and Malibu LT is $22,570 -- while even a loaded LT with all options aboard slips under $25,000.
|
| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2004 CHEVROLET MALIBU Specs |
| Description: |
Mid-size sedan
|
| Model Options: |
Mid-size sedan
|
| Wheelbase: |
106.3 inches
|
| Overall Length: |
188.3 inches
|
| Engine Size: |
Malibu: DOHC 2.2-L I4
LS / LT: OHV 3.5-L V6
|
| Transmission: |
I4: Auto/4 4T45-E
V6: Auto/4 4T45-E
|
| Drive: |
Front
|
| Braking: |
Malibu: Power disc/drum
opt. ABS/DBP/TCS
LS: Power disc/drum
ABS/DBP/TCS
LT: Power 4-disc
ABS/DBP/TCS
|
| Airbags: |
2 (front)
+ opt. 4 (side curtain)
|
| Gas Mileage: |
I4: 24/34 mpg
V6: 23/32 mpg
|
| Price: |
Malibu: $ 18,370, LS: $ 20,370, LT: $ 22,570 |
|
|
