If you take a look at Chevrolet's North American passenger car range, there's one model that stands out like a sore thumb and that's none other than the Impala.
The full-size sedan, which was presented in its current form in 2005 but has its roots in the 1999 model, may be a retiree's rental delight, but General Motors seems to be past that phase and is finally readying a major overhaul for the series.
The new Impala, spied here in camouflage during testing, has nothing in common with the current Impala. Instead, it shares its lengthened Epsilon II platform and mechanical hardware with the soon to be released 2013 Cadillac XTS.
And like the XTS, the new Impala will be offered with both front- and all-wheel-drive, which will be a first for the Chevrolet sedan.
Engine options will surely include GM's 3.6-liter V6 with direct-injection and close to 320-horsepower, while the newly revealed 2.0-liter turbocharged four with 270-horses on the Cadillac ATS is a likely candidate for a mid-trim model. We also expect to see a version of the Impala fitted with GM's e-assist mild-hybrid technology.
GM's engineers did a good job in covering the exterior of the Impala prototypes, but it's obvious that the new model will have a far more distinct look and a much stronger road presence than today's version.
Luckily, our spies were able to snag a picture of the Impala's dashboard, which looks night-and-day different from that of the current model in terms of styling, technology and from what we can tell, perceived quality.
At least in this model, the upper sections of the dashboard were covered in stitched leather and the car was fitted with a large center screen for the infotainment system on the prominent center console.
GM has already announced that it will produce the new Impala at both its Oshawa Assembly Plant in Canada and the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant, as it expects much higher volumes than the current model.
The new Impala will launch in North America next year as a 2014 model, which means that we could see it making its premiere at an upcoming event such as the LA Auto Show next fall or perhaps even earlier.
16 Comments:
I can't wait to see the finished product of this car. The interior looks great so far too. AWD and a lot of power is a bonus too. I just hope it's also good on gas.
It's about time! Way overdue.
The interior is really imressive!
I just hope the outside looks just as good, and doesn't follow the roots of the Sonic, Cruze, Camaro or all the other cookie cutter crap that GM is pumping out.
Wow! This is very promising! A far cry from the outgoing model. I like the Hyundai-esque interior and the Mercedes steering
Well The new Impala Looks like it is shaping up to be a nice replacement for the current Impala. I wish they would put the LS4 5.3 V8 back in it and keep it RWD..It would be a good Hyundai Genesis sedan fighter for Chevy..( not even sure if the LS4 is still in production) Maybe Chevy could make a lighter 5.0 form the 5.3 with a 8 or 9 speed auto for better MPG?
I would also love to see a true Impala SS with the LS3 6.0 V8 with a 8 or 9 speed auto and Manuel!
GM is on the right way...
Well it sure does seem to have some hints of the angry sonic headlights in those pics but its really hard to tell through the disguise. I would expect it though to have some sort of lineage with the other chevy's. It sorta makes sense to have some kind of family resemblance. Not sure what you mean by cookie cutter crap. There is no other GM models that look like the sonic, the cruze or the camaro in North America from what I can tell.
I like the sonics headlamp looks
I totaly agree !
Hyundai Genesis Sedan fighter?
They don't need to compete with the Genesis since the Impala outsells the Genesis likely 20,000:1
Don't get me wrong I am all about the Genesis, I think it was a great attempt on Hyundai to make it, however it wasn't meant to be mass produced to anywhere near the extent of the Impala.
The Impala if anything, needs to lose weight (like most Americans) and needs to improve mileage and reliability.
"I would also love to see a true Impala SS with the LS3 6.0 V8 with a 8 or 9 speed auto and Manuel! "
I cant wait till you have to pay for the off warranty replacement of that so called 9 speed auto.
It'll be worth lots more than you think! There is never going to be a true Impala SS, just like the Camaro SS isn't a "True" Camaro SS if you think about it.
I didnt mean a fighter in the way of sales rather to match the genesis for all it offer for the price. Maybe fighter si not the right word but none the less. As far as a 9 speed, why do you think such a thing is going to be bad? I think the new Camaro Z28 is a great modern take on a True Camaro SS imo so while yea the 2011 camaro SS is not i think the Z28 will be
I think they've missed the boat here. The new Impala should be based on an extended ATS platform so it can be rear wheel drive with an all wheel drive option.
Screw RWD. It doesn't make an Impala, and the boring FWD versions of this will sell just as well as the poorly built W-body Impala does now.
i seriously thought the Impala was heading for the car park in the sky... But now, its going to be another identical car in the already very similar line up of Chevy's.
I read in an interview somewhere that Chevy plans on reserving the SS label for vehicles meant with performance in mind to begin with, i.e. the Camaro and Corvette. They don't plan on throwing "SS" onto anything but the most deserving, to sustain its prestige. I want to find out if the new Impala will make the cut.
It looks alot like Buick Lacross in stance, sides and a little of the interior. I'm not sure if I like those taillamps from what I can see so far. But maybe they will look better once the entire car is unvailed.
Post a Comment