The Chevrolet Malibu (named for Malibu, California) is a midsize car produced and sold in the United States by General Motors.
1964
The first Malibu was the top of the line Chevrolet Chevelle in 1964.
1980
From the 1978 model year the Malibu name replaced the Chevelle name on all mid-size Chevrolets except the Monte Carlo specialty coupes. This was a downsized version compared to previous midsize Chevrolets (known as A bodies from 1964 through 1981).
Engines:
- 1980-1981 350 5.7 L (350 in³) V8
1982
The 1982 Malibu shared GM's rear wheel drive G platform with cars like the Pontiac Grand Prix and Oldsmobile Cutlass. Malibus were produced as 4-door sedans until 1983 when it was replaced by the front wheel drive Chevrolet Celebrity.
1997
A new front wheel drive Malibu was introduced in 1997 on an extended wheelbase version of the N-body. The "N" Malibu was essentially a clone of the short-lived last generation Oldsmobile Cutlass. It replaced the Chevrolet Corsica (produced since 1987) and the low-end Lumina. Power came from a 2.4 L 150 hp (112 kW) straight-4 or 3.1 L 155 hp (116 kW) V6. The Malibu was Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year for 1997.
The 3.1 L V6 was updated in 2000 with 170 hp (127 kW) and the 4-cylinder was dropped.
Engines:
- 1997-2003 3.1 3.1 L (191 in³) V6
- 1997-1999 LD9 2.4 L (146 in³) I4
2004
The Malibu name was moved to a new Epsilon platform car in 2004, but the previous car remained in production as the Chevrolet Classic for car rental and fleet use. The new Epsilon Malibu comes in two body styles, a standard sedan and 5-door Malibu Maxx station wagon.
Base power comes from a 2.2 L Ecotec L61 straight-4 which produces 145 hp (108 kW). LS and LT trims get a 3.5 L 200 hp (149 kW) High Value LX9 V6. A factory-installed remote starter is available, a first for any car.
Engines:
SS
A special SS trim will be introduced on the Malibu and Malibu Maxx with the 3.9 L LZ9 V6.
