2004 Malibu MAXX - A Little European-Style Functionality in a Very Domestic Brand

Not everything seems to make sense in life does it? A year after GM subsidiary Saab dropped their age-old 9-3 liftback in favor of a conventional 4-door sedan layout its Chevrolet division introduces a four-door hatch version of the 2004 Malibu at the New York International Auto Show last week, dubbed Malibu MAXX.

What makes this news significant is the new Malibu is created on General Motor's Epsilon platform, yes the same architecture that underpins the current Saab 9-3. Its extremely stiff structural integrity should bode well for the new Malibu's driving behavior - the Saab is superb. A fully isolated powertrain cradle with tuned bushings gives the MAXX a refined ride quality, a feature usually found only on upscale cars like the Saab.

"A lot of customers may not care that we call this the 'Epsilon architecture,' stated Gene Stefanyshyn, vehicle line executive of the Malibu sedan and MAXX. "But if they have driven a previous version of the Malibu, they will immediately notice a firmer, quieter, more linear feel in the ride and handling of the '04 version.

Adept handling, aided by Malibu's fully independent MacPherson strut front and 4-link rear suspension setup, isn't the only Epsilon attribute. Noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels have been dramatically lessened due to a cast foam-rubber barrier covering the dash panel, a modular noise dampening plate inside the same panel, a compression-molded fiberglass-composite hood and insulator, and back and front "glove-fit" carpet modules.