Chevrolet's Malibu Maxx is based on the all-new 2004 Malibu and built on the first North American application of General Motors' popular Epsilon architecture (also shared with the Opel Vectra and Saab 9-3). The five-door extended sedan offers a cavernous interior lit by a standard rear fixed glass skylight, promising first-class comfort at the price of a coach-class ticket. Underhood is a 3.5-liter/200 horsepower V-6 mated to a four-speed electronic-shift transmission; standard equipment includes electric power steering, driver information center, power adjustable pedals and rear HVAC. The Malibu Maxx offers 22.8 cubic feet of cargo storage, nearly double that found in other midsize sedans, as well as a multi-functional cargo panel that allows two-tier loading or can be converted to a table top for tailgating or picnics. Malibu Maxx enters production this winter.
