Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
HAVING sampled the new Cruze a few weeks ago it was time to test the other new-look member in the Chevvy stable, the 2010 Malibu.
General Motors's new simple plan to produce cars that people actually want appears to be moving in the right direction at great speed.
The incredibly smooth Malibu has a fresh design and boasts a level of refinement and overall competence that puts it head and shoulders above many of its competitors in the highly competitive market of midsize family sedans.
Traits such as a 'comfortable and quiet ride, a roomy cabin, satisfying performance, handsome styling and value pricing' make Chevrolet's latest Malibu a strong choice, one car reviewer recently glowed.
And, I have to agree. This is a nippy number with an impressive turn of speed, a driver seat that hugs you like your favourite armchair and a host of gadgets to make driving enjoyable close to hand - mostly around the steering wheel. There also appears to be an endless amount of drink holders and neat little trays and places to put things such as coins, kid's toys, mobile phones etc.
I can see this clever car which is full of character becoming a firm family favourite on the forecourt.
Thanks to its crisp, tailored lines and fluid curves the Malibu feels like a luxury sedan. And, along with the upscale styling is a similarly handsome cabin in terms of materials and build quality. Two-tone interior schemes further the effect.
Steering-wheel mounted controls let you adjust the stereo, skip songs on your i-Pod and adjust the cruise control without removing your eyes from the road. The driver information centre is also standard on all models.
Safety is always a prime concern when it comes to taking to the highways of Bahrain and Malibu's eminence in this aspect is amply illustrated by its five-star frontal and side-impact crash test rating - the highest possible.
The front-wheel-drive Malibu offers competitive power with a choice of a 169-horsepower 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine or a 3.6-litre 252-hp V6.
The six-speed automatic transmission offers a wide spread of gear ratios. A steep first gear enhances launch performance while the tall sixth gear reduces noise, vibration and fuel consumption.
The Chevrolet Malibu comes at a comparably competitive price and its combination of handsome looks, a spacious and well-finished cabin, above-class performance and a quiet ride finally gives Chevy a serious player in this tough segment.
I particularly liked the ignition button on the key which means you can have the car running and cooled before stepping into it during the hot summer months ... and the little light that automatically shines at night by the driver's door handle. I'm not sure of its relevance or usefulness, but it's a cute touch.
Starting at BD7,900 for the LT1, the LT2 model I test drove is slightly more at BD8,600. The 3.6 LTZ will shortly be going on sale at BD9,900.
For further details, contact the National Motors Company showroom in Sitra on 17457211.
