Chevrolet Malibu Fifth generation

Model years	1997 to 2003
Assembly	U.S. A
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive
Platform	P-90 platform
Engine	2.2 L L61 I4 (gasoline) 2.4 L LD9 I4 (gasoline) 3.1 L L82 V6 (gasoline) 3.1 L LG8 V6 (gasoline)
Transmission	4-speed 4T40-E automatic
Wheelbase	107.0 in (2,718 mm)
Length	190.4 in (4,836 mm)
Width	69.4 in (1,763 mm)
Height	56.4 in (1,433 mm)
Curb weight	3,051–3,142 lb (1,384–1,425 kg)

A new, front-wheel drive Malibu was introduced in early 1997 based on the extended GM-N platform (or initially P90 platform), which also includes the Buick Skylark, the Oldsmobile Achieve, the Oldsmobile Alero and the Pontiac Grand Am constructions.

The Malibu models of the 1N series were initially manufactured at the assembly plant in Oklahoma City, which was converted in 2001 for the construction of the SUV on the GMT360 platform. Until 1999, they were also built at the assembly plant in Wilmington, whose conversion then took place for the construction of the Saturn L series. Subsequently, the production of 1N was moved to Lansing (Michigan).

The Oldsmobile Cutlass was the parallel model to the Malibu and replaced the Cutlass Ciera. The Malibu inherited the Chevrolet Corsica. The Malibu 1N was engineered with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a maximum output of 150 hp (112 kW) or a 3.1-liter V6 engine with a maximum of 155 hp (116 kW).  The maximum power of the 3.1-liter V-6 engine was 2000 to 170 hp (127 kW) increased, the motor code changed from L82 to LG8; the four-cylinder engine accounted for. 

The Malibu had a grille with a silver Malibu logo in the middle from spring 1997 to summer 2000, while the Malibu and Classic versions from fall 2000 to late 2003 had the blue Chevrolet emblem on the grille. The LS models had some special golden emblems (the name Malibu and the logo) at the rear of the vehicles.

When a new model based on the GM-N platform was introduced in early 2004, renamed the previous generation in Chevrolet Classic and retained them for rental cars and fleet vehicles until the end of 2005 in the program. In addition, a new 2.2 l R4 engine from the Ecotec series was introduced for the Chevrolet Classic.

Malibu Cruiser 

The concept car Chevrolet Malibu Cruiser was first shown on the 2001 SEMA show. The car is in the BASF painted -colour "sublime Lime" and has a tuned turbocharged V6 engine with the label "3500 SFI 60 ° V6", a maximum power of 230 hp (169 kW) at 5000 rpm; a maximum torque of 380 Nm at 2900 min ^-1, a four-speed automatic transmission of the type 4T65-E with overdrive, 8 "× 19" wheels of Evo and Toyo Proxes-TI-S-performance tire.

The exterior modifications include gas discharge (HID) headlights (with low and high beam) and clear glass tail lights (Altezza lights) and a custom body package. There are also various modifications inside, u. a. a centre console over the entire length of the interior, four black Sparco leather sports seats and a Kenwood music system (with radio, 10-disc CD and DVD changer, various amplifiers and speakers and a TV). 

Chevrolet never wanted to build this Cruiser in series, but it does show young buyers that they could design the car to their own liking.