1998
CHEVROLET MALIBU
PRODUCT OVERVIEW:
The Malibu, introduced in 1997 as an all-new model, is a
contemporary, midsize sedan with classic styling. The
Chevy Malibu provides quality and reliability competing
with more expensive products, and offers maximum interior
space with minimum exterior size. It's a natural fit for
Chevy's high-value product lineup, positioned between the
Cavalier and Lumina.
NEW FOR 1998:
* Power sliding sunroof available on both models
* Leather seats available on Malibu LS
* Blue Chevrolet "bowtie" included with Malibu "wave" logo
at the front and rear of vehicle
* Chevrolet "bowtie" replaces Malibu "wave" on centre cap
of aluminum wheels
MODELS: Malibu (4-door sedan)
Malibu LS (4-door sedan)
VEHICLE CLASS: Midsize Sedan
ASSEMBLY LOCATIONS: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Wilmington, Delaware
CUSTOMER PROFILE:
The Chevrolet Malibu sedan is designed to appeal to value-
conscious buyers (median age of mid-30s to mid-40s) who
want proven technology in a contemporary, dependable car
with optimum roominess and features. They want "affordable
value" in a midsize sedan that provides more-than-expected
qualities.
PRODUCT MILESTONES:
1996 Media debut at the North American International Auto
Show in Detroit
1997 Launched as an all-new model; resurrects the Malibu
name which was marketed by Chevrolet from the mid-
1960s to the mid-1980s.
1998 Power sliding sunroof available on both models;
leather seating available on Malibu LS; and Chevrolet
"bowtie" replaces first year's Malibu "wave" logo on
centre cap of wheels
EXTERIOR FEATURES SEDAN/LS
Fog Lamps Fog lights - S
Glass Soft-Ray, tinted S S
Headlamps Composite halogen S S
Mirrors Dual, left remote, right manual S -
Dual, left and right power remote O S
Mouldings Bodyside S S
Mud Guards Front and rear wheel mud guards O O
Paint Base-coat/clear-coat S S
Sunroof Power, sliding glass panel O O
Tires P215/60R15 all-season touring
blackwall
S S
Wheels 15" x 6" steel with bolt-on wheel
cover
S -
15" x 6" 9-spoke cast-aluminum O S
Wiper System 2-speed with variable delay
(intermittent)
S S
S - Standard Equipment. O - Optional Equipment.
INTERIOR FEATURES SEDAN/LS
Air Conditioning Manual S S
Console Front floor, storage, armrest,
cupholder
S S
Cruise Control Electronic with resume, coast and
decelerate/accelerate features
(steering wheel mounted) O S
Defogger Electric rear-window, zoned S S
Door Locks Power O
S
Fabric Scotchgard(tm) Protector (included on
cloth seats, door trim, floor
carpeting and mats) S S
Floor Mats Front and rear, carpeted S S
Heat Ducts Rear seat S S
Instrumentation Analogue cluster (includes
speedometer, tachometer, coolant
temperature and fuel gauges) S S
Low oil level sensor (included
with V6 engine) O
S
Lamps Dome courtesy, instrument panel,
ashtray, glove compartment and trunk S S
Mirrors Rearview with dual reading lamps O S
Visor vanity, passenger-side,
illuminated
- S
Visor vanity, left and right
covered
S S
Seats 6-way power driver adjuster O S
Cloth reclining front bucket
seats with floor console S -
Custom cloth reclining front
bucket seats with floor console
(includes split-folding rear
seatbacks and cargo convenience net) O -
LS Custom cloth reclining front
bucket seats with floor console - S
Reclining bucket seats with
leather seating surfaces - O
Seatbacks Split-folding rear O S
Steering Column Tilt-Wheel(tm), adjustable S
S
Trunk Cargo convenience net O S
Power remote release S S
Windows Power, driver's express-down and
passenger lock-out features (includes
power mirrors on base Malibu) O S
S - Standard Equipment. O - Optional Equipment.
SOUND SYSTEMS SEDAN/LS
All Malibu sound systems include an electronically
tuned Delco AM/FM stereo with seek up/down, scan,
digital clock, Auto Tone Control, Speed Compensated
Volume control, Delco TheftLock(tm), and premium
4-speaker sound system:
AM/FM stereo, cassette tape player S S
AM/FM stereo, CD player O O
AM/FM stereo, cassette tape and
CD player
O O
S - Standard Equipment. O - Optional Equipment.
MECHANICAL
SEDAN/LS
Battery Delco Freedom II with battery
run-down protection S S
Block Heater Engine block heater S S
Brakes Power, front disc/rear drum, ABS S S
Engines 2.4L Twin Cam L4 with SFI S -
3.1L 3100 V6 with SFI O S
Exhaust System Aluminized stainless steel S S
Steering Power, rack-and-pinion S S
Suspension 4-wheel independent S S
Transmission 4-speed electronically-controlled
automatic with overdrive and 2nd
gear start
S S
S - Standard Equipment. O - Optional Equipment.
SAFETY AND SECURITY SEDAN/LS
Air Bags Driver and front passenger,
frontal
S S
Anti-Lock Brakes Anti-lock braking system (ABS),
4-wheel
S S
BTSI Brake/transmission shift interlock
feature
S S
Door Locks Rear door, child-security S S
Fog Lamps Fog lights - S
Headlamps Daytime running lamps with automatic
light control and flash-to-pass S S
Lighting Illuminated entry/exit system with
theatre dimming and ignition key
removal
S S
Keyless Entry Remote keyless entry system O S
Safety Belts Front seat height-adjusters S S
Rear seat child shoulder belt
comfort guides
S S
Theft-Deterrent PASSLock(tm) theft-deterrent system S S
Roadside Service 24-hour Roadside Assistance Program S S
S - Standard Equipment. O - Optional Equipment.
TECHNICAL
PRODUCT INFORMATION
FRAME Integral body/frame
BODY MATERIAL Two-sided galvanized steel on all exterior
body panels (including roof)
SUSPENSION
Front Independent, MacPherson strut, aluminum
knuckles, stabilizer bar
Rear Independent, Tri-link, stabilizer bar
BRAKES Front disc/rear drum; (Delco ABS VI system)
STEERING Variable-effort rack-and-pinion
WHEELS 15" wheels (steel - base; cast-aluminum
LS)
TIRES P215/60R15 all-season
ENGINES 2.4L Twin Cam L4 3.1L 3100 V6
Type DOHC L4 OHV V6
Bore x Stroke 90 x 94 mm 89 x 84 mm
(3.54 x 3.70") (3.51 x 3.31")
Displacement 2392 cc(146cu.in.) 3136 cc(191cu.in.)
Compression Ratio 9.5:1 9.6:1
Fuel Regular, Unleaded Regular, Unleaded
Fuel Induction Sequential-Port F.I. Sequential-Port F.I.
Horsepower 150hp @ 5600rpm 150hp @ 4800rpm
Torque 155lb.-ft.@4400rpm
180lb.-ft.@3200rpm
LAYOUT Front engine / front-wheel drive
TRANSMISSION 4-speed electronic
automatic w/overdrive
Gear Ratios: 1st 2.96
2nd 1.63
3rd 1.00
4th 0.68
Reverse 2.13
Final Drive Ratios 3.42 (w/2.4L L4)
3.05 (w/3.1L V6)
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase 2718 mm (107.0")
Length 4836 mm (190.4")
Width 1763 mm ( 69.4")
Height 1443 mm (56.4")
Track Front 1499 mm (59.0")
Rear 1506 mm ( 59.3")
INTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Leg Room
front/rear 1063 / 965 mm (41.9 /38.0")
Head Room
front/rear 1001/ 955 mm (39.4/37.6")
Shoulder Room
front/rear 1415 /1405 mm (55.7/55.3" )
Hip Room
front/rear 1323 /1322 mm (52.1/52.0" )
WEIGHTS / CAPACITIES
Curb Weights 1384 kg (3052 lb.)-Malibu
1396 kg (3078 lb.)-Malibu LS
Fuel Tank 58 L (12.6 gal.)
Seating 2/3
Trunk Volume 464 L ( 16.4 cu.ft.)
Interior Volume 3265 L (115.3 cu.ft.)
Towing 2.4L - Towing not recommended
3.1L - Maximum gross: 455 kg (1000 lb.)