The Chevy Malibu Maxx Was Envisioned in Trollhättan

"Margin Of Error" (marginoferror) 04/20/2015 at 11:45 • Filed to: FORGOTTEN CLASSICS, FC, ESSAY

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In its 50 years of existence, the Chevy Malibu had various personalities. From muscle car in the sixties to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! in the eighties to the soul-sucking piece of beige boring-ness of today, it’s hard to believe that the Malibu was once a quirky wagon with Swedish origins.

Welcome to Forgotten Classics

As demonstrated in the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , the goal of this series of essays is be to bring cars that are getting no love back in the limelight. FC is also a thorough analysis of why such cars remained obscure and never got the praise they deserved.

The Chevrolet Malibu made a comeback in 1997 after a pause of 15 years, however, it was not until 2004 that the Malibu regain its past glory and became interesting again. As a matter of fact, the sixth gen Malibu was based on the European Epsilon chassis mostly developed by Saab engineers. That platform was used for a numerous of upscale sport sedans including the Europe-exclusive Cadillac BLS.

For some reasons, America was denied that glorious wagon, but GM had something in store for quirkiness aficionados, a long wheelbase wagon version of the Malibu dubbed the Malibu Maxx.

The base version was powered by a gas-sipping 2.2L inline four with Ecotec technology. For those who don’t know, Ecotec was basically the equivalent of Mazda’s Skyactive but without direct injection. But let’s not waste our precious time with the base model and go straight to the good stuff : The Malibu Maxx SS.

The Maxx SS in the quintessential Malibu. It encompasses all different personalities the Malibu had in the past 50 years, except for the convertible, in one car. It can be a muscle car or a taxi, it just depends how you drive.

Powered by the mighty LZ9 V6, the Maxx SS was capable of solid performances. The linear power curve of the normally aspirated 3.9L engine gave it an advantage over it’s Swedish sibling, the Saab 9-3 Aero Kombi.

Inside, the Maxx was extremely innovative. The folding front seats and sliding/folding rear seats made it ideal for Ikea runs.

Another neat feature was the rear sunroof, which was like a t-top for rear passengers.

Sadly, the Maxx SS was just too quirky for SUV-loving Americans, and the Maxx died in 2007, after only 3 years.

The good thing for us enthusiast is that because of it’s rarity, the Maxx will obviously become a classic, but for now, it’s a forgotten one. Now is time to get your your American Saab.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 11:51

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These were great and awful at the same time. They were springloaded, and would skip and lose their tension quite easily.

Margin Of Error > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 04/20/2015 at 11:53

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So quirky !

Mike > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 11:54

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Knew there was something I liked about the damn thing. Now that I know it’s actually Swedish behind that bowtie, it makes so much more sense.

dogisbadob > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 11:54

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Too bad no Ecotec on the Maxx, though :(

They should’ve sold the BLS wagon over here; it would’ve done well.

For Sweden > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 11:54

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Ah the BLS: the best Flat Pack Cadillac.

Margin Of Error > For Sweden 04/20/2015 at 11:57

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Definitely a looker

Tremec, + 1 Yugo (aka the Blugo) > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 11:58

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Ah yes, the Malibu Maxx SS. One of the more peculiar results from Chevrolet’s “SS all the things!” stage.

Seriously, if had been available with a manual, I might have given it some consideration back then.

Nibbles > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 11:58

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the Epsilon platform was designed by Opel and, oddly enough, FIAT. Saab gad nothing to do with the engineering of the platform itself, they just got to use it first alongside Opel.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 11:58

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Drove awesome though. Also:

Those Iraqibus, were they really taxi's? I knew a guy who had one and he told a different story. He said that the plan was actually to give a 'bu to every family who lost a family member in the war or something. That said this guy really liked his stories... but then again he was quite intelligent.

Margin Of Error > Tremec, + 1 Yugo (aka the Blugo) 04/20/2015 at 11:59

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I think the manual is the only thing missing.

Coty > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 11:59

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The hell is SkyActive?

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 12:00

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HUH.. I’d never heard about the Malibu Maxx. I kinda want one now, no.. I actually REALLY want one.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/20/2015 at 12:02

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Try an SS and you will likely go from REALLY want to BOUGHT.

Margin Of Error > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 04/20/2015 at 12:02

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From wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet…

Apparently it was really a failed deal with Saddam Hussein and GM Canada got stuck with half of them, all manuals.

Textured Soy Protein > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 12:02

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Now you’re just trolling, right?

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 04/20/2015 at 12:03

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Not a single one for sale here though, I don’t think they ever were if I’m honest.

Margin Of Error > Coty 04/20/2015 at 12:04

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Some awesome wizardry that extracts lots of power out of small and fuel efficient engines.

Cé hé sin > For Sweden 04/20/2015 at 12:04

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Oooh, a Saabillac! I’ve seen about two.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh 04/20/2015 at 12:05

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Yeah, I kind of doubt it.

Margin Of Error > Textured Soy Protein 04/20/2015 at 12:06

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Margin Of Error > Nibbles 04/20/2015 at 12:09

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There’s rumors that Saab engineers were sent to Opel for the Epsilon project, and I tend to believe them.

Textured Soy Protein > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 12:15

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“ My top 5 pizza places ” = all chains

“ The Honda Accord Coupe is a Budget NSX ”

“The Malibu Maxx started out as the Saab 9-3 SportCombi”

This stuff has to be trolling. Because if you seriously believe these things...

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 12:18

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Are we sure this isn’t a Nissan Frontier?

Coty > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 12:19

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A turbo?

Margin Of Error > Svart Smart, traded in his Smart 04/20/2015 at 12:19

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Not according to Bing images.

But I can double-check

Margin Of Error > Coty 04/20/2015 at 12:21

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They don’t have turbo.

Margin Of Error > dogisbadob 04/20/2015 at 12:25

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Indeed

Margin Of Error > Textured Soy Protein 04/20/2015 at 12:26

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Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 12:27

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“The base version was powered by a gas-sipping 2.2L inline four with Ecotec technology. For those who don’t know, Ecotec was basically the equivalent of Mazda’s Skyactive but without direct injection.”

No. That first generation of Ecotec engine has nothing to do with Mazda nor is it the equivalent of Mazda’s Skyactive engine. The Ecotec is an evolution of the “GM Family II” engine that was originally developed by Opel. The latest third generation of Ecotec, introduced in 2013, has DI. But even then, it’s not quite the same as Skyactive as Skyactive is more than just engines. But even for engines, Skyactive has compression ratios as high as 14 to 1 whereas the Ecotec only goes as high as 11.3 to 1.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SkyActiv

Margin Of Error > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 04/20/2015 at 12:29

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Thanks for the clarification

Coty > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 12:30

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“Some wizardry that extracts power out of small and fuel efficient engines.”

FTFY

Margin Of Error > Cé hé sin 04/20/2015 at 12:30

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Where ?

Nibbles > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 12:39

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There's little data to substantiate the rumors. Considering how much reworking Saab had to do to get the platform to meet their needs, I see no proof Saab was involved in the design of the Epsilon platform itself.

Roundbadge > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 04/20/2015 at 12:41

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They’ve scared the poop out of me on numerous occasions.

Kids love them, though.

Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer > Roundbadge 04/20/2015 at 12:46

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Kids are the problem. They tend to let them snap back.

Roundbadge > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 12:48

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I own a 2005 LS.

It’s been a great car...mostly. The electrics blow, the fit & finish is okay at best, but the utility is outstanding. It still only has 84K miles, so I expect to keep driving it for a while yet.

I had no idea there was Saab engineering behind the Epsilon platform though. Quite informative! Also, while the wheelbase is longer than the regular sedan, the overall length of the vehicle is actually shorter.

Roundbadge > Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer 04/20/2015 at 12:49

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...and then giggle like mad.

Margin Of Error > Roundbadge 04/20/2015 at 12:50

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Nice to hear you like it !

Roundbadge > Svart Smart, traded in his Smart 04/20/2015 at 12:55

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Gotta agree with you on this....definitely not a Maxx.

Cé hé sin > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 13:06

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Ireland

LongbowMkII > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 13:08

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There are a few on cars.com. 7,000 is not a bad price... I wouldnt get one, but I wouldn’t NOT get one either.

Steve Zissou > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 13:25

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Looks much better tho!

Steve Zissou > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 13:27

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I always disliked the MAXX because they basically took a wagon/hatchback and made it less functional by taking away a whole quadrant of my box loading space. OR they took a sedan and made it uglier by trying to clunkily hatchback it.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Coty 04/20/2015 at 14:12

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VTEC, bro.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 14:44

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First, EcoTec is just GM’s name for their DOHC 4-cylinder engine family. SkyActiv is also this, but also Mazda’s theory of getting the most power and efficiency from the smallest size motor.

Second, the 3.9L was nothing but a dog. The 3.6L was better in every imaginable way and why GM didn’t start using it company wide sooner than they did is beyond my level of comprehension.

Third, the Maxx was more Opel Signum than Saab 9-3 or Cadillac BLS.

Fourth and finally, you call the current Malibu boring, yet this one with underpowered engines, a 4-speed automatic, and incredibly boring styling on anything less than the SS, but this one isn’t because it’s quirky just because of a failed hatchback variant that uses an Opel developed platform that the current one still uses to this day?

Margin Of Error > Steve Zissou 04/20/2015 at 15:54

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I think it stands out

Steve Zissou > Margin Of Error 04/20/2015 at 15:57

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I think it stands out by trying to be a wagon but trying to not look like a wagon. It’s the worst of most worlds to me.

Coty > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 04/20/2015 at 16:35

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All of the lag none of the boost.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Margin Of Error 04/22/2015 at 18:26

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The maxx doesn’t have dual gloveboxes.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Margin Of Error 05/02/2015 at 01:05

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yeah that’s a Nissan frontier

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Steve Zissou 05/02/2015 at 01:07

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Compromise is a foolish, but somehow market-able thing. Every one wants to have everything, which almost always means compromise.

Firebird857802 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 05/02/2015 at 08:23

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Malibu does have a fold down seat, can't upload a photo from my ipad

Hooker > Roundbadge 05/02/2015 at 09:05

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The electrics do blow. My friends had two separate 2004 model, well equipped with the 6 disc changer. That thing was garbage from the factory. Also, both inevitably grew to just randomly not start. It was like they were haunted.

Roundbadge > Hooker 05/02/2015 at 09:34

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Every so often the changer does give me trouble as well. I’ve been thinking of removing all my discs lately.

Hooker > Roundbadge 05/02/2015 at 22:37

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Coming from experience, I recommend that. It’s messy otherwise.

Mason Goodman > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 05/21/2015 at 12:22

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Wasn’t he just referring to the purpose of the engine? To be somewhat powerful AND fuel efficient. He never said it was a Mazda engine, more that SKYACTIV and ECOTEC had the same goal. And forgive me if I’m wrong, but wasn’t the first-gen SKYACTIvSKYACTIV in the (2012?) Mazda3 just an engine and gearbox? I didn’t think they got around to the other SKYACTIV goals until the newest-gen 3.