2008 Chevrolet Malibu By ALAN GELL www.CarColumns.net It's all new. It's gorgeous. It has style. It has great fuel economy. It got a lot of attention at the Chicago Auto Show and the Detroit Auto Show. It is the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu. This new Malibu is almost gift-wrapped in its appearance. It a clean, refreshing look.

Malibu was first introduced by Chevy back in 1964 and has been a popular vehicle ever since. It has gone through some transformations, as have most vehicles with any staying power. The 2008 model is considered the third generation of the front-wheel drive version.

In side the new Malibu, the first thing you notice is the extra room. The Chevy engineers made it more than three inches longer than the previous model. The wheelbase is six inches longer. Wheels are pushed out to the corners. Ed Peper, Chevrolet General Manager, said, "The 2008 Malibu rewrites Chevrolet's midsize car strategy, offering a stylish, uncompromising package that stacks up against the most popular competitors. We know the competition is very good and this new Malibu has the goods -- both tangible and intangible -- to assert a leadership position in the segment and re-affirm Chevrolet's commitment to expressive cars."

There are three trim levels available -- LS, LT, and LTZ. All have standard head curtain side air bags and front seat air bags. There appears to be a lot more attention to detail. The materials reflect quality and value. There's even a cast skin material covering the instrument panel. The dual cockpit design, which is a Chevrolet signature feature, has prominent gauges with metallic or wood grain accents. The gauges are back-lit in blue. There is a lot more storage, which seems to be the case on most of the new cars. The Malibu has a deep center console with a sliding cover. There's an available rear power center, compete with a 110-volt AC outlet.

Driving performance is furnished by a family of 4 or 6 cylinder engines. There's a 2.4 liter four cylinder, a 3.6 liter V6 with variable valve timing, and a six speed automatic standard with the V6. The longer wheelbase and wheels set out at the corners allow a more responsive ride and better handling. The 2.4 liter 4 cylinder is rated at 164 horsepower. The 3.6 liter V6 produces 252 horsepower.

There is an optional panoramic sunroof which features four sliding panels. The retractable glass panels tilt upward so headroom isn't lost. The 2008 Malibu has a lot to offer, from fuel economy to sleek design.