From hot rod to police cruiser to convertible to America’s main street midsize sedan, few midsize cars have appealed to so many, for so long, as the Chevy Malibu.
The Malibu is the automotive industry’s longest-running midsize nameplate, spanning 35 years and eight generations. Chevrolet has produced more than 8.5 million Malibus in the United States since its debut in 1964.
Introduced as the top model of the Chevrolet Chevelle midsize car line, Malibu’s combination of sporty design, enhanced trim and high level of standard equipment quickly established Malibu, with 200,000 total sales in its first year. From 1964 to 1967, Malibu was available in a full range of body styles including two-door hardtops, two-door convertibles, four-door sedans and station wagons.
In its debut year, the Malibu lineup included the now-legendary 300-horsepower, 327-cubic-inch V-8 Malibu SS coupe and convertible; the following year introduced a more powerful 350-horsepower, 327-cubic-inch small-block. The Malibu SS Z16 package, available only in the hardtop model, featured Malibu’s first big-block engine – a 396-cubic-inch, 375-horsepower power plant.
For the 1966 model year, the Malibu SS was replaced by the SS396. This new model came with a heavy-duty suspension and other performance upgrades. The 396 V-8 was available in 325-, 360- and 375-horsepower versions.
The Malibu was significantly redesigned for the 1968 model year when fastback styling overtook the industry. This second generation of Malibus continued with the front-engine and rear-wheel-drive layout, but used different wheelbases for two-door and four-door models.
Chevrolet introduced a third generation of Chevelles, including a Malibu, in 1973, which would continue through 1977. The Malibu was available in coupe, sedan and wagon configurations. The Chevy Malibu SS package was available on all body styles including the wagon. In 1974, the Malibu became the entry-level Chevelle model.
The third-generation Malibu also was successful in NASCAR. The 1973-1977 body was aerodynamic and amassed 25 winner’s circle appearances for Chevrolet drivers Cale Yarborough, Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip and Benny Parsons.
A smaller Malibu debuted in 1978, responding to a a growing focus on fuel economy demands, yet retained contemporary styling and features. The Malibu’s first era of rear-wheel-drive cars ended after the 1983 model year, and an all-new generation of front-wheel-drive midsize cars was introduced in 1997 – following a 14-year production hiatus.
Malibu was reborn as a four-door sedan with a four-cylinder, 150-horsepower (112 kW) and a V-6 with 155 horsepower (115 kW). Malibu quickly earned a reputation as a well-built, value-driven sedan designed to take on established midsize leaders. It also earned Motor Trend’s Car of the Year award for 1997.
A sixth-generation Malibu debuted for the 2004 model year in four-door sedan and extended sedan versions with Ecotec four-cylinder and V-6 engines. It again garnered awards and recommendations from automotive media, independent research groups and safety advocates. The Malibu topped its segment in the 2005 J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study. In 2006, the Malibu SS model was reintroduced with a 240-horsepower (179 kW) V-6 with more aggressive-looking front and rear fascias, 18-inch wheels and sport bucket seats.
In 2007, Chevy launched a seventh-generation Malibu for the 2008 model year. It became one of the division’s most highly decorated vehicles, earning more than 40 automotive industry honors, including the 2008 North American Car of the Year.
The Malibu was Chevrolet’s – and General Motors’ – best-selling passenger car in 2010, with nearly 200,000 cars (198,770) sold. The Malibu is the industry’s only midsize car to win the Consumers Digest Automotive “Best Buy” award the past three years – 2011, 2010 and 2009. It has also been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety the past two years (2010 and 2011). Malibu helped Chevrolet increase market share by two percentage points within the mid-car segment from just under 7 percent in 2008 to nearly 9 percent in 2010.
The all-new 2013 Malibu is Chevrolet’s eighth-generation Malibu and first global midsize for customers in nearly 100 markets on six continents. It will serve as Chevrolet’s flagship vehicle in many parts of the world including China, Korea, Europe, Australia and more. The Malibu is designed to stand out around the world with a roomy, quiet and upscale interior. Its ride and handling are expected to challenge the best cars in the midsize category. The new Malibu will be built in China, Korea and two locations in the United States. It is scheduled to start production in Fairfax, Kan., in early 2012 and at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly next summer.
Automotive Industry Highlights in Chevy Malibu history (model years):
1964 – Introduced as the top model of Chevrolet’s new midsize lineup, it sold more than 200,000 in its first year.
1968 – Significant redesign delivered a smoother, more rounded Malibu; sales increased to more than 260,000 units.
1973 – All-new Malibu introduced, with a “Colonnade” hardtop design developed to support increased safety requirements.
1978 – Smaller, trimmer Malibu with significant advances in component weight reduction.
1983 – Last year for rear-wheel-drive configuration.
1997 – Malibu reborn as a midsize, front-wheel-drive sedan, attracting accolades for value, safety and quality.
2004 – Redesigned on new vehicle platform, Malibu enhanced its reputation as a high-quality, safe and value-driven competitor in the midsize segment.
2008 – Seventh-generation Malibu is launched with distinctive design, longer wheelbase and features such as a fuel-saving, four-cylinder/six-speed automatic powertrain. This current generation Malibu has sold more than 700,000 since 2008.
2013 – All-new Chevy Malibu designed to deliver high levels of content and features, interior craftsmanship, a lineup of fuel-efficient, four-cylinder engines with dynamic capabilities rivaling high-end sedans set to launch in early 2012. The 2013 Malibu is Chevrolet’s most aerodynamic and fuel-efficient midsize ever.
The 2013 Chevy Malibu is the most aerodynamic midsize sedan in Chevrolet's 100-year history, with pre-production models achieving a low coefficient of drag (Cd) comparable to that of a Corvette and nearly as efficient as the Volt electric vehicle (.28 Cd). Through aerodynamic design efficiencies and a new body style, engineers shaved 60 counts of fuel economy-robbing wind drag from the model it replaces, the equivalent of adding up to 2.5 mpg more highway driving range.
