2014 Chevrolet Malibu is Roomier, More Efficient

• Fuel-saving start-stop technology added to standard model

• Rear knee room improved by 1.25 inches

• Chassis and suspension developments enhance drive experience

DETROIT – Chevrolet today unveiled the 2014 Malibu – a roomier, more refined and more efficient execution of its midsize sedan. Updated styling, a revised interior, a new 2.5L standard engine and suspension enhancements highlight the changes. It goes on sale this fall.

'The 2014 Chevrolet Malibu builds on the strengths established by the all-new 2013 Malibu to make it a stronger choice for customers,' said Mark Reuss, president, General Motors North America. 'The midsize sedan segment is the most contested in the industry and we're not sitting still with the 2014 Chevrolet Malibu.'

The new and enhanced features include:

• Revised front-end appearance

• Roomier rear seat with 1.25 inches (31.7 mm) more knee room

• Redesigned center console

• New 2.5L engine with variable valve lift control and start/stop technology helps deliver estimated fuel economy of 23 city / 35 highway – a 5-percent improvement in city mileage and 3-percent greater highway efficiency

• Nearly 14 percent more torque from the available 2.0L turbo engine – 295 lb-ft of torque (400 Nm) – engineered for a greater feeling of power on demand

• Suspension enhancements derived from the all-new 2014 Impala engineered to contribute to a more refined driving experience

• New available Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert safety features

Malibu's revised front-end appearance is influenced by the all-new Impala, creating a more cohesive look across Chevrolet's sedan lineup. The front fascia features a new, more prominent lower grille and the hood extends down and over the leading edge of a narrower upper grille. The grille openings – with black grille texture – are wider and accented with chrome.

Inside, redesigned seats contribute to greater rear-seat space and greater comfort. The front seatbacks are shaped to improve rear-seat knee room, while new cushion sculpturing and revised cushion material allow passengers to sit deeper in the rear seats. Approximately half an inch was trimmed from the front of the rear seat cushion, for greater comfort behind passengers' legs.

The Malibu's redesigned center console has a longer armrest designed for greater comfort, along with a pair of cup holders and dedicated storage for two cell phones.

'We made changes within 18 months, demonstrating an unprecedented commitment to make the Malibu the best car it can be,' said Ken Kelzer, executive chief engineer, global full-size and midsize cars. 'The 2014 Malibu has been engineered to deliver more precise ride and handling that is on par with more expensive sports sedans.'

More efficient, powerful powertrains

An all-new Ecotec 2.5L Intake Valve Lift Control DOHC four-cylinder engine with direct injection is the 2014 Malibu's standard engine. Its variable intake valve actuation enhances efficiency and helps lower emissions, while also enhancing low-rpm torque, for a greater feeling of power at lower speeds. When the iVLC system operates in low-lift mode, the engine pumps only the air it needs to meet the driver's demand. The system switches to high-lift mode at higher speeds or under heavy loads, providing the full output capability of the engine.

New start/stop technology shuts down the 2.5L engine to save fuel when the Malibu stops momentarily, such as at stoplights, contributing to an estimated 5-percent increase in city fuel economy. The engine automatically starts again when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake. An auxiliary battery powers electric accessories such as the climate system, power windows and radio during engine restarts.

The new 2.5L is SAE-certified at 196 horsepower (145 kW) and 186 lb-ft of torque (253 Nm). Revised transmission shift points and quicker shifts also enhance the feeling of performance – while delivering greater refinement.

Additionally, the 2014 Malibu's available 2.0L turbo engine delivers nearly 14 percent more torque than its predecessor. It is SAE-certified at 295 lb-ft (400 Nm). New engine calibration and tuning account for the improvement, making the Malibu 2.0L turbo's torque the best in the segment, even among competing six-cylinder-engines. The result is a stronger feeling of acceleration from a stop and a greater feeling of power on demand in almost all driving conditions.

The 2.0L turbo also produces an SAE-certified 259 horsepower (193 kW).

Chassis refinements

Chassis and suspension updates inspired by the all-new 2014 Impala also contribute to the 2014 Malibu's more refined driving experience, including rebound springs that are internal to the struts. They enable more refined calibration of the dampers for a smoother overall ride, while also improving body roll control and weight transfer during acceleration or turning. That helps keep the wheels planted, contributing to a more precise, controlled feel – especially while cornering.

Fuel-saving electric power rack-and-pinion variable-effort power steering is standard and enables nearly effortless low-speed maneuvers and a higher degree of steering feel at higher speeds. Revised, higher-effort calibrations for 2014 were engineered to improve the overall steering feel. Also, the Malibu's brake system has been revised to provide a more confident feel.

Additional chassis control technologies include four-channel anti-lock brakes, full-function traction control, four-corner electronic stability control, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist system, corner brake control, hydraulic brake fade assist and drag torque control.

Enhanced safety

New Side Blind Zone Alert and Rear Cross Traffic Alert safety features are offered, adding to the protection from a car that received a 5-Star Overall Vehicle Score in the New Car Assessment Program from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and a 2013 Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Both are the highest ratings possible.

Malibu also comes with 10 standard air bags and an available rearview camera system.

About Chevrolet

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.5 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

by Chevrolet

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 Jessican Donaldson

Chevrolet Marks 50Th Anniversary Of First Malibu

DETROIT – In 1964, a gallon of gas cost 30 cents and a movie ticket cost $1.25. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the year at 874 and The Beatles made their historic appearance on the Ed Sullivan show. It was also the year Chevrolet introduced the Malibu.

What a difference half a century makes.

The 2014 Malibu is a technologically advanced midsize sedan delivering efficiency, comfort and connectivity unimagined in 1964. Compared with the 2013 model, a new, standard 2.5L engine with stop/start technology contributes to 14 percent greater fuel economy in the city (25 mpg) and 6 percent improved mileage on the highway (36 mpg).

Stylish for its day, Malibu made its mid-1960s debut as Chevrolet's first 'intermediate' car – and one of the first midsize cars in America. Before then, Chevrolet's passenger car lineup consisted of a range of full-size models, headlined by Impala, along with the compact Chevy II (Nova), Corvair and Corvette.

Named for the Los Angeles-area enclave that was center of the beach culture in the 1960s, the Malibu was the top trim line for the intermediate platform, which also included the Chevelle as an entry-level model, and the El Camino truck. It was lauded for its robust, body-on-frame construction and responsive coil-spring front suspension.

The 2014 Malibu is the eighth generation of the nameplate and its standard 2.5L four-cylinder engine delivers 65 percent more horsepower than the original Malibu's standard 3.2L six-cylinder. The technological progress extends to safety, comfort and connectivity features. What has not changed is Malibu's mission as a midsize car with styling that stands the test of time.

Generation 1 – 1964-1967

Although originally launched as premium sedan for families, the first Malibu was quickly caught up in the muscle car wars of the 1960s and soon after its introduction, the sporty Malibu SS was born. The Chevelle SS took the lead for Chevrolet's muscle cars in 1966 and the Malibu continued as the premium model, tailored for the growing number of suburban customers who sought roominess yet efficiency for their long commutes everyday.

Generation 2 – 1968-1972

Based on the original intermediate platform, the 1968-72 models' dimensions shifted with a slightly shorter 112-inch wheelbase for coupes and convertibles and a longer, 116-inch wheelbase for sedans and wagons. Like the 1964-67 models, each model year in the second generation had distinctive year-over-year styling differences.

Generation 3 – 1973-1977

The 1973 introduction of the third-generation Malibu brought a new frame that retained the previous 112-/116-inch wheelbases, but to accommodate new federal crash standards, the bodies grew about five inches in length and one inch in width. A European-inspired Laguna model briefly dethroned the Malibu from its perch atop the midsize hierarchy.

Generation 4 – 1978-1983

Chevrolet discontinued the Chevelle line after 1977 and the next generation of downsized midsize cars would stick strictly with the Malibu name from 1978 onward. They were a foot shorter and more than 500 pounds lighter, offering V-6 and V-8 engines. There was even a dedicated police car package.

Generation 5 – 1997-2003

After a five-year run with the fourth generation, the sun set on Malibu from 1984 until 1997, when it was reborn as an all-new, front-wheel-drive sedan, offering four- and six-cylinder engines. It was named Motor Trend Car of the Year for 1997.

Generation 6 – 2004-2007

Malibu moved to GM's award-winning global architecture for 2004, offering greater technology, efficiency and performance – including the return of the Malibu SS, which featured a 240-horsepower 3.9L V-6. The Malibu range also included the Malibu Maxx five-door extended sedan, which offered greater cargo room and innovations such as the ability of the rear seat to slide seven inches fore and after and reclining rear seat.

Generation 7 – 2008-2012

Riding on an enhanced, longer version of the architecture introduced on the 2004 Malibu, the seventh-generation models introduced greater levels of refinement, performance and efficiency – along with enhanced safety features, including standard head curtain side air bags. It was voted the 2008 North American Car of the Year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Generation 8 – 2013-2014

Redesigned for 2013, Chevrolet further enhanced Malibu for 2014 with greater efficiency, new connectivity features, comfort enhancements and a new front-end appearance. It offers the segment's first engine with standard stop/start technology and an available 2.0L turbo engine with 259 horsepower that continues a performance legacy established 50 years ago.

by Chevrolet