At the New York Auto Show General Motors introduces the 2004 Malibu Maxx, Chevrolet’s five-door version in the midsize car segment.
The Maxx is the wagon version of the Malibu that provides passenger comfort for five along with a flexible cargo area. The new car uses the Epsilon platform of the Saab 9-3 and the Opel Vectra and is, in fact, the American version of Opel’s new Signum.
Its wheelbase is 6 inches longer than the four-door Malibu, which benefits the rear passengers and/or the luggage area. The rear seats fold flat, as well as the front-passenger backrest, to allow transportation of 8-foot-long goodies.
The passengers in the back seats (split 60/40) have nearly 7 inches of travel, to allow maximum comfort. The cargo area of the Malibu Maxx is 22.8 cubic feet.
The trunk is equipped with a flexible cover that can be placed on two different levels and functions as a tailgate table when the rear door is open.
Under the hood the Malibu Maxx is GM’s 3.5 V-6 with 200 horsepower that is teamed with a four-speed electronic-shift automatic transmission.
Standard features will be electric power steering, a remote starter and a driver information center. Heated seats, OnStar and XM Satellite radio will be optional. Production starts late this year.
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