A deliberately modest production ramp-up restricted model-yr ’04 Malibu gross sales to 150,640, however ’05 volume was back to earlier ranges at almost 242,000. There was no thriller in that. The brand new-technology Malibu was keenly priced within the $18,000-$25,000 range, and it was a noticeably higher car than its predecessor: stronger, tighter, extra refined, and extra pleasant to drive.
The unique Datsun 240, site (technoluddites.org) which ultimately bought in the U.S. at the phenomenal fee of 50,000 items a yr, continued into 1973, when the engine was enlarged to 2.6 liters to offset energy losses from tightening U.S. emissions limits. Sadly, it did not. Appropriately referred to as 260Z (officially, Kind GLS30 in U.S. him), it had slightly much less horsepower and torque. Federal laws also dictated bigger, heavier bumpers that added undesirable weight, notably up entrance, thus further diminishing go and making the non-compulsory energy steering almost obligatory for easy handling.
The design might have come from Mazda. The right facet was lower away on top to kind a helpful package deal shelf and lend a better sense of interior spaciousness. Drivers faced an upright instrument pod with aspect-mount rocker switches for lights, hazard flasher, and rear-window defroster. Column stalks once more regarded after wipers and turn alerts, while cruise-management buttons remained conveniently in the steering wheel spokes.