2005
CHEVROLET MALIBU & MALIBU MAXX
Unique
to Canada
New for
2005
|
.
|
Rear
spoiler and rear window wiper/washer on Malibu Maxx –
optional on LS, standard on LT
|
|
.
|
Thorax
side-impact air bags for front occupants are standard on
Malibu LT and Malibu Maxx LT. Available on all other models
|
|
.
|
Exterior
Appearance Package for Malibu base sedan includes body-color
side moldings, 15-inch alloy wheels and rear spoiler
|
|
.
|
Heated
cloth seats available on Malibu sedan and Malibu Maxx LS
|
Model Lineup
| |
Engines
|
Transmission
|
| |
Ecotec
2.2L I-4
|
3500
3.5L V-6
|
4-spd
auto
(Hydra-Matic
4T45-E)
|
|
Malibu
|
s
|
o
|
s
|
|
Malibu
LS
Malibu
Maxx LS
|
-
-
|
s
s
|
s
s
|
|
Malibu
LT
Malibu
Maxx LT
|
-
-
|
s
s
|
s
s
|
|
Key:
|
|
|
Standard
|
s
|
|
Optional
|
o
|
|
Not
available
|
-
|
|
CUSTOMER
PROFILE:
|
|
For
real, unpretentious, optimistic individuals who want the
good life, Chevrolet Malibu provides unexpected refinement
and versatility in a midsize car. The Malibu target customers
are aged 35-55 66/35 male/female split, 40% college graduates
and 43% white collar. For the practical family, Malibu Maxx
is the dependable 5-door midsize car that provides exceptional
versatility and functionality to successfully meet everyday
challenges. Malibu Maxx target customers are aged 35-50
with a 60/40 male/female split, 50% are college graduates
and white collar.
|
|
|
|
PRODUCT
HISTORY:
|
|
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; Chevrolet "bowtie" replaces
first year's Malibu "wave" logo on centre cap
of wheels
|
|
1999
|
Enhanced
acoustic package
|
|
2000
|
Front
centre grille and emblem changes; solar glass windshield
and back glass; standard engine becomes 3.1L V6; lock-out
protection added; new optional decklid spoiler with integrated
CHMSL
|
|
2001
|
New
series of radio system; programmable lockout; standard split
folding rear seat
|
|
2002
|
Internal
manual trunk entrapment release handle; premium 100-watt,
2-channel subwoofer audio system standard on LS; LATCH child
seat safety restraint system
|
|
2003
|
New
cloth fabric; ABS brakes are now optional on base Malibu
|
|
2004
|
Standard
LS & LT: power adjustable pedals (available on base
model); factory-installed remote starter available; versatile
seating, cargo combinations
|
|
2005
|
Rear
spoiler and rear window wiper/washer on Malibu Maxx - optional
on LS, standard on LT; Thorax side-impact air bags for front
occupants are standard on Malibu LT and Malibu Maxx LT,
and available on all other models
|
2005
MALIBU: REFINED PERFORMANCE, ADAPTABLE VERSATILITY, AND TAILORED
COMFORT
Introduced
as a 2004 model, the all-new Malibu and Malibu Maxx made an immediate
impression. The clean lines of the Malibu sedan were recognized
as crisply tailored and the unique extended sedan design of the
Malibu Maxx attracted customers while defying classification.
Malibu delivers
the performance and versatility of the best midsize sedans with
the dependability and value that customers expect from Chevrolet.
Plus, the Malibu adapts to different individuals and lifestyles
with two body styles, flexible interiors and a full range of driver
personalization features.
From the B-pillar
forward, the Malibu sedan and Malibu Maxx are identical. Rearward
of the B-pillar, the two differ substantially. The five-door Malibu
Maxx rides on a wheelbase that is 6 inches (15.2 cm) longer than
the Malibu sedan, while its overall length is a half-inch (1.3
cm) shorter. The result is a spacious interior for a car its size.
Performance
"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 new generation," said Gene Stefanyshyn, vehicle line executive
for the Malibu and Malibu Maxx. Malibu's dynamic performance and
refined composure starts with its foundation - the General Motors
Epsilon global architecture. The Malibu and its Malibu Maxx stablemate
were the first North American applications of the Epsilon architecture,
which also provides the foundation for the Saab 9-3, Opel Vectra
and the forthcoming Pontiac G6.
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
144 horsepower (107 kw), 2.2L, dual-overhead-cam Ecotec four-cylinder
engine. The LS and LT models of the Malibu and Malibu Maxx feature
the new GM 3500 3.5L, overhead-valve V-6, with 200 horsepower
(149 kw). 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.
An independent
front suspension with MacPherson struts and a four-link independent
rear suspension underpin Malibu. All Malibu models are equipped
with power brakes and electric power steering (EPS) with variable
assist for low- and high-speed steering maneuvers.
In addition
to the vibration-reducing properties of the Epsilon architecture,
Malibu has 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 fiberglass-composite hood insulator;
and front and rear “glove-fit” carpet floor modules.
High standards
Every Malibu
features a high level of standard equipment. A power driver’s
seat height adjuster, tilt/telescoping steering column, CD-equipped
audio system, power windows, door locks and mirrors are standard
on all Malibus. Power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals
and manual lumbar support are standard on LS and LT models, and
available on the base Malibu sedan. Many of these features are
not standard, or even available, in other cars in the Malibu’s
class.
Malibu is
also the first car in its class to offer an optional factory-installed
remote vehicle starter system, allowing the driver to get a head
start on the car’s interior heating and cooling from a range
of about 200 feet (61 m).
Genuine
versatility
Malibu can
be a cargo carrier by day and a refined, comfortable people-hauler
by night, or the other way around. Use of space is the key. In
the sedan body style, Malibu is roomy, measuring out at 101 cubic
feet (2,871L) of space for passengers. With a 60/40-split/folding
rear seat and a fold-flat front passenger seat, a variety of items
will fit fully inside Malibu, including long items such as ladders
and snow skis.
The rear seats
in Malibu Maxx slide nearly 7 inches (17.8 cm) fore and aft and
are split 60/40 not just in the seat back, but also the seat cushion,
to further increase comfort. The rear seat backs recline, allowing
different sized rear passengers to tailor their seating position
in a similar way a front-seat passenger can. The Malibu Maxx has
a generous 106 cubic feet (3,002L) of passenger space and a luxurious
41 inches (104 cm) of legroom with the seats pushed all the way
back – legroom comparable to a full-size domestic luxury
sedan.
The Malibu
Maxx also features a standard fixed-rear glass skylight that provides
a spacious, open atmosphere over the rear seats. Both driver-
and passenger-side rear occupants have the option of opening or
closing a standard split/retractable shade to control the amount
of light coming through the skylight.
The Malibu
Maxx’s rear cargo area features a standard power outlet
and a multi-functional cargo panel with four positions for two-tier
loading. The cargo panel also can be positioned as a table for
picnics or tailgate parties. Hooks on the cargo panel help secure
smaller items, and cargo nets on each side of the cargo area,
also unique to the Malibu Maxx, help keep items from sliding around.
Comfort for
rear-seat passengers for all Malibu models 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 the car’s engineers
– are designed to pour generous amounts of heated or cooled
air directly into the back seat.
Three levels
of audio system offerings are available on the Malibu, including
an uplevel radio with an in-dash, six-CD changer, six speakers
(including two tweeters on the A-pillar), automatic volume and
tone controls, and XM Satellite Radio compatibility (continental
U.S. only). Malibu Maxx adds the option of a rear-seat audio system
or a DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system, both complete with
wireless headphones.
Style
Malibu 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 has a slightly wider
stance and a much more substantial front end. The exterior is
a fresh direction that honors Chevrolet’s heritage while
allowing European influence in execution.
The interior
features a Chevrolet-signature dual cockpit design with luxury
features and an overall sense of quality and attention to detail.
Seating in the Malibu has the look and feel of an upscale European
sedan with comfortable, firm foam padding to give occupants a
solid, secure ride that matches the car’s nimble performance.
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.
OnStar is
the leading provider of in-vehicle safety, security and information
services in the United States and Canada. Using the GPS satellite
network and wireless technology, OnStar features core safety services
and OnStar Personal Calling that allows drivers to make and receive
hands-free, voice-activated phone calls using a powerful three-watt
analog system and external antenna for greater reception.
The OnStar
service available on the 2005 Malibu and Malibu Maxx also includes
the Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) system, making
crash data available to 911 centers to potentially dispatch the
appropriate life-saving personnel and equipment to crash scenes
faster. ACCN does not require air bag deployment.
Other safety
features in the Malibu include: