Did Detroit finally make a good car?

G.M. Raids the Pantry and Bakes a Prize
By CHRISTOPHER JENSEN
New York Times

IT seems unreal to be considering the Chevrolet Malibu as an alternative to such world-class cars as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, but it has happened. General Motors has finally delivered the first-class midsize sedan it promised for years if not decades.

The most amazing part may be this: It turns out that G.M. has long had the resources to make such a competent car, but seemed to lack the will to use them. You see, the underpinnings for the impressive 2008 Malibu were also used in the last-generation Malibu introduced in 2003, as well as in the 2005 Pontiac G6. Both of those cars strived to be ho-hum average.

A more serious engineering effort went into the 2007 Saturn Aura, which used many of the same pieces. The Aura was a modestly successful attempt to create a European-style sport sedan, and it has had plenty of admirers.

When it was time to create the 2008 Malibu, engineers made further improvements. The Malibu got a stronger body and a more compliant suspension, said Michael Meloeny, G.M.’s chief engineer for midsize vehicles.

The result is a winner.

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