Chevrolet introduced the SS badge on the Impala ‘61, and ever since, it attached that “Super Sport” plate on many performance car versions, including on the fleet-oriented Malibu.
While the Chevrolet Malibu was more of a salesman or car-rental choice. The bow-tie brand tried to expand the range with an SS version, produced in both body versions: the Malibu and the Malibu Maxx (hatchback) built on the same platform as the Pontiac G6 and the European Vauxhall/Opel Vectra.

The design department installed a new front fascia for the SS version. The headlights were similar to those from the regular model, but the black mesh-grille featured a chromed surrounding and the bow-tie gold badge in the middle. On the lower side of the apron, the carmaker installed a broad grille and two side scoops for the fog lights. Moreover, the four-door sedan sported a small lip spoiler on the trunk’s lid and dual chromed exhaust under the bumper.

Inside, everything was black. Its sport bucket seats with high bolstering gave a clue about the car’s performance, and the three-spoke steering wheel just confirmed it. Inside the instrument cluster, the carmaker installed a wide speedometer in the middle between the tachometer and the fuel and temperature gauges. Chevrolet included the “Malibu” lettering on the right dial to remind the driver what car he or she was driving. The bolstered bucket seats provided some side support to prevent its occupants from sliding during high-speed cornering. The Malibu SS had the power to go way faster than a regular econobox found in most fleet vehicles.

Under the hood, GM installed a choice of two engines with a 3.9-liter displacement with variable valve timing, which produced 243 hp. In addition, the carmaker paired a four-speed automatic transmission as standard on the SS version.