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2002 Chevrolet Malibu news, pictures, and information

2002 CHEVROLET MALIBU ADDS STANDARD EQUIPMENT FOR FAMILY BUYERS

The 2002 Chevrolet Malibu offers a refined appearance and adds safety and convenience features for buyers who want a well-equipped midsize sedan priced lower than most popular imports.

'Malibu's standard equipment now includes a CD player for 2002, plus our continuing standard equipment, which includes a V6 engine, automatic transmission, air conditioning and antilock brakes,' says Brand Manager Lew Elbert. 'Malibu is a car for practical, family-centered people who need dependable transportation for everyday life.'

New for 2002


In 2002, Malibu's smallest passengers will benefit from a new LATCH system (Lower Anchor and Top tethers for Children), which, when combined wîth a top shelf tether, enables adults to securely install LATCH-compatible child seats without using the seatbelt. Rear child seat anchors are located in the floorpan wîth an attachment at the juncture of seat cushion and seat back, taking the worry and guesswork out of child safety seat installation.

Three new exterior colors join the Malibu and Malibu LS palette for 2002: Dark Tropic Teal, Medium Green Pearl and Redfire Metallic, bringing the total to eight. A new 15-inch alloy wheel, wîth a bright machined face, graces the Malibu LS model.

Radios on all LS models feature a new 100-watt, two-channel subwoofer system, which improves sound quality. Floor mats have also been added as standard equipment on all models.

Proven powertrain


Ordering Malibu is simple. A proven 3.1-liter SFI V6 engine, generating 170 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque, is the sole engine on Malibu models, and an electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission is the only transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) Four-wheel independent suspension, standard 15-inch all-season radial tires and rack-and-pinion power §teering contribute to Malibu's great ride and handling.

Standard features


Malibu's well-equipped-vehicle approach also includes programmable power door locks, an electric rear window defogger, AM/FM stereo radio wîth CD player, child security and lock-out protection features, a full gauge package wîth tachometer, rear seat heating ducts, theatre lighting, tilt §teering column, remote electric trunk release and battery rundown protection. LS customers also get cruise control, power windows, remote keyless entry, custom cloth bucket seats wîth six-way power on the driver's side, dual remote electric outside rear view mirrors, split-folding rear seat, fog lamps and 15-inch cast aluminum wheels.

Source - GM Corporation
Named for Malibu, California, the Malibu name has had a distinct history that began in 1963 and continued for nearly 20 years. Following a thirteen-year break, the Chevy Malibu name once again appeared in 1996, and again in 2003 as the latest generation was presented.

The name Malibu was originally utilized as the description for Chevrolet's top series models in the Chevelle line in 1964. This line continued all the way up to the 1983 model year. A mid-sized vehicle, the Malibu is produced in the United States by General Motors. Attempting to stay smaller than the full-size Impala model, the Malibu is marketed in the U.S., Mexico, Canada and Israel.

1964 was the original production year of the Chevelle Malibu. Production continued until 1972 and the Malibu was restyled for the 73 model year. The lineup included the base Chevelle Deluxe, mid-range Malibu and the top-line Laguna. The Deluxe was dropped in 1974 and the Malibu took the place as the entry-level Chevelle. The Malibu classic also replaced the Laguna trim package. Continuing until 197, the SS was introduced and replaced the Laguna S-3 model.

Except the Monte Carlo coupe, the Malibu name replaced the Chevelle name on all mid-sized Chevrolets for the 1978 model year. As this was the down-sized version in comparison to previous mid-sized Chevrolets, only two trim levels were available, Malibu and Malibu Classic. A total of three body-styles were introduced, the station wagon, coupe and sedan. In 1981, the two-door coupe, which was mnemonic of the 1964 Chevelle hardtop was last produced. Today this coupe has been a highly sought after collector item for drag racers.

Filling the void for mid-sized police vehicles, once the Chevrolet Nova ended production, the 9C1 police option was transferred to the 4-door Malibu line. A special order of Malibu sedans was also produced in 1981 by GM Canada, though this was eventually rejected due to quality concerns. These Malibu's were considered undesirable with the combination of the smallest V6 engine and a 3-speed manual transmission and the 'Iraqui Taxi's' were auctioned off to the public at an extremely reduced rate.

The final year that a Malibu Classic was marketed, the 82 Malibu shared GM's re-designated rear-wheel drive G platform with the Pontiac Grand Prix and the Oldsmobile Cutlass. Before being replaced by the front-wheel drive Chevrolet Celebrity, 4-door sedan Malibu's were produced until 1983. The El Camino continued to be produced in 1987 though the sedan and wagon were soon phased out.

For 1997, the Malibu was named Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year. In the same year and an all new front-wheel drive Malibu built on an extended wheelbase version of the GM N platform was introduced. The Malibu shared the N platform the with Pontiac Grand Am, Buick Skylark, Oldsmobile Alero and Achieva and was produced at the Oklahoma City Assembly plant and the Wilmington Assembly plant. Production was eventually moved to Lansing, Michigan.

Before the Oldsmobile Alero, the Oldsmobile Cutlass was a clone of the Malibu as a stopgap vehicle and replaced the Chevy Corsica. Falling between the Cavalier and the Lumina in the Chevrolet lineup, the Malibu has taken the place of the now discontinued Corsica. A high level of standard equipment is found in the Malibu, and due to the competitive nature of midsize sedan market, the price is highly aggressive.

An all-new, front-wheel-drive midsize sedan was introduced in 1997 for the model year.
Emphasized body edges are showcased in the present series, which is a mid-sized, 5-seat sedan that is constructed on the Epsilon chassis designed in Germany also used in the Opel Vectra and Saab 9-3.

Malibu's were designed with a front grille with the Malibu logo in silver in the center from 97 to 99. The blue Chevrolet emblem on the front grille was placed on the 2000 to 2003 models. In 2000, the 3.1 L V6 was updated with 170 hp while the 4-cylinder was dropped. The 4-cylinder was reintroduced in 2004, while the N-body Malibu/Chevrolet Classic continued in production until 05.

In 2008, the Malibu is scheduled to be redesigned and built on the long-wheelbase Epsilon platform before being released to the public.

By Jessica Donaldson
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Monthly Sales FiguresVolume
May 2013179,510 
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