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2004 Chevrolet Malibu Maxx news, pictures, and information

2004 MALIBU AND MALIBU MAXX: PERFORMANCE, VERSATILITY, COMFORT

Giving customers more than they expect has been a hallmark of every great Chevrolet, and it is the philosophy that guided the creation of the 2004 Chevy Malibu and Malibu Maxx.

The all-new Malibu delivers the performance and versatility of the best midsize sedans with the dependability that customers expect from Chevrolet. Plus, the Malibu adapts to fit different individuals and lifestyles with two body styles, flexible interiors and a full range of driver personalization features available.

Malibu's dynamic performance and refined composure starts with its foundation - the General Motors Epsilon global architecture. The Malibu and its Malibu Maxx stable-mate are the first North American applications of Epsilon architecture, which also provides the foundation for the new Saab 9-3 and Opel Vectra.

The powertrain choices for the Malibus help bring out the best of the new architecture. The Malibu sedan gets power and fuel efficiency from its standard 145-horsepower, 2.2-liter, dual-overhead-cam Ecotec four-cylinder engine. The LS and LT models of the Malibu and Malibu Maxx feature the new GM 3500 3.5-liter, overhead-valve V-6, with 200 horsepower.

All Malibus come with the smooth-shifting Hydra-Matic 4T45-E four-speed electronic automatic transmission. Combined with the broad torque curve of Malibu's four- and six-cylinder engines, the result is strong performance and best-in-class fuel economy.

With its high degree of structural stiffness, the Epsilon body structure also enables engineers of the Malibu and Malibu Maxx to dial in control and handling that challenges the best midsize sedans.

'Anyone who has driven the previous version of the Malibu will immediately notice a firmer, quieter, more linear feel in the ride and handling of the 2004 version,' said Gene Stefanyshyn, vehicle line executive of the Malibu and Malibu Maxx.

An independent front suspension with MacPherson struts and a four-link independent rear suspension, teamed with a rigid body structure and a fully isolated powertrain cradle help make the ride of the new Malibus smooth, confident and quiet.

Tailored comfort and versatility abound
Every Malibu features standard and optional equipment allowing drivers to customize their driving experience. A power driver's seat height adjuster, tilt/telescoping steering column, power windows, door locks and mirrors are standard on all Malibus.

Power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals and manual lumbar support are standard on the LS and LT models and are available on the Malibu sedan.

With a 60/40 split/folding rear seat and a fold-flat front passenger seat, the Malibu sedan can be a cargo carrier by day and a refined, comfortable people-hauler by night, or the other way around.

The Malibu and Malibu Maxx will be the first midsize cars to offer an optional factory-installed remote vehicle starter system, allowing the driver to get a head start on heating or cooling the car's interior from a range of about 200 feet.

The Malibu Maxx extended sedan is everything that the Malibu sedan is - and more. From the B-pillar forward, the Malibu Maxx and Malibu sedan are the same. From there back, though, nearly everything about the Malibu Maxx is unique.

The five-door Malibu Maxx rides on a wheelbase that is 6 inches longer than the 2004 Malibu sedan, yet its overall length is a half-inch shorter. The result is an interior that is cavernous for a car its size.

The Malibu Maxx has an independently adjustable 60/40 split/folding/reclining rear seat that also slides forward and aft nearly 7 inches for optimal passenger comfort. That passenger comfort, a rear-seat skylight and an adjustable storage shelf that also can be a picnic table are just a few of the standard features that give customers more than they expect.

The extra wheelbase of the Malibu Maxx also allows bigger rear door openings that are more than 4 inches wider than the Malibu sedan's, making it easier for passengers to enter and exit and enabling easier loading of cargo.

In other words, both the 2004 Malibu sedan and Malibu Maxx extended sedan offer the comfort of first class for an economy ticket.

'Malibu and Malibu Maxx make a powerful statement about Chevy's intention to remain an industry leader in midsize cars,' said Brent Dewar, Chevrolet's marketing general manager. 'These all-new cars, teamed up with the Impala and Monte Carlo, will give Chevrolet one of the strongest midsize car lineups in the industry,' said Dewar.

Exceptional space for passengers and cargo
The new Malibu is spacious, with nearly 117 cubic feet of overall interior volume, while the Malibu Maxx has almost 129 cubic feet of overall interior volume.

Both cars have superb acoustical characteristics. In addition to the vibration-reducing properties of the Epsilon architecture itself, the cars have a host of noise-elimination features, including a cast foam-rubber barrier covering the dash panel; a modular noise-dampening plate in the dash panel; a compression-molded fiberglass-composite hood insulator; and front and rear 'glove-fit' carpet floor modules.

Dynamic design inside and out
The Malibu design features crisp, clean lines that highlight a space-efficient and aerodynamic exterior. Crystalline-like headlamp lenses and a chrome front bar and gold Chevy bowtie highlight these contemporary lines. Compared with its predecessor, the new Malibu and Malibu Maxx have a slightly wider stance and a much more substantial front end.

The exterior's fresh direction honors Chevrolet's American heritage, with execution that customers have come to expect from the best import sedans.

The interior features a Chevrolet-signature dual cockpit design in an upscale environment loaded with luxury features and an overall sense of quality and attention to detail. Seating in the Malibu and Malibu Maxx has the look and feel of an upscale European sedan with comfortable, firm seats that match the car's nimble performance on the road.

The look and feel of the Malibu interior is enhanced with the use of soft, durable foam-backed thermoplastic olefin (TPO) for the instrument panel, door trim, moldings, console and other trim areas. TPO is a newer material that has double the life of conventional automotive paneling materials, and resists fading and sun damage.

The center console provides exceptional functionality, including best-in-segment storage capacity of 6.2 liters, four cupholders, a power outlet, a tray and small receptacles for cell phones, PDAs and other items.

Comfort for rear-seat passengers is enhanced with a heating/air conditioning system designed for their needs. In addition to airflow to the feet, two vents on the center of the dash - dubbed 'turbo blasters' by Chevy engineers - are designed to pour generous amounts of heated or cooled air directly into the back seat.

The headliner console in the LS and LT models has reading lights for front and rear passengers and offers the Homelink system for programming garage door openers and other electronic home-based functions.

Four levels of radio offerings are available on the Malibu and Malibu Maxx, starting with the base model's AM/FM stereo and CD player, to an uplevel radio with an in-dash, six-CD changer, six speakers, automatic volume and tone controls and XM Satellite Radio (U.S. only) compatibility. A rear-seat DVD system and a rear-seat DVD/audio system also are available with the Malibu Maxx.

Safety and strength
Engineers made extensive use of high-strength steel in strategic areas of the body, and developed energy-absorbing front and rear crush zones to help obtain impressive structural performance for safety.

Other safety features in the Malibu line include:

• Dual-stage frontal air bags for the driver and front passenger.

• Three-point safety belts for all occupants.

• Standard safety belt pretensioners for front-seat passengers.

• Optional head curtain side-impact air bags to help protect front and rear outboard passengers.

• Standard four-wheel anti-lock brakes with traction control on LS and LT models.

A LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child-seat attachment system in all rear seating positions.

Optional OnStar safety and security package with Advanced Automatic Collision Notification, a new technology debuting on the Malibu that will help save lives by getting the right emergency staff to crashes faster.
All Malibu models will be equipped with electric power steering (EPS) with variable assist for low- and high-speed steering maneuvers and power brakes. Other standard features include a driver information center (DIC) integrated into the radio display that enables personalization of electrical features and provides more than 15 warning messages, including low key fob battery life, the possibility of ice forming on the road and an oil life monitor. Options include heated front seats and the OnStar in-vehicle safety and security system (U.S. and Canada only).

The 2004 Malibu sedan will be manufactured at General Motors' Kansas City, Kan., assembly plant. Production is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2003. Production for the Malibu Maxx is slated to begin in the fourth quarter of 2003.

Source - General Motors 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.

Jessica Donaldson

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