2013 Impala Testing

[King T]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

It's Epsilon II. Cadillac XTS platform.

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

Also, pray that I'm wrong, but the next-gen Impala is supposed to be a 2014 model.

That's correct Fen
2014 Chevrolet Impala to move upmarket, share platform with Cadillac XTS

The aging Chevrolet Impala is finally getting a major overhaul for the 2014 model year, and General Motors has just shoveled $69 million into its Detroit-Hamtramck plant to support production of the next-generation sedan. According to Automotive News, GM will work on repositioning the Impala within Chevrolet's lineup. Currently, the automaker feels that there is too much price overlap between the Impala and smaller Malibu.

Automotive News reports that the 2014 Impala will be built on the longer version of GM's Epsilon platform, destined for use under the new Cadillac XTS flagship. The new, larger Impala will offer more standard equipment than the smaller Malibu, and the two cars will be positioned similar to how the Taurus and Fusion are within Ford's lineup.

In an effort to keep the Impala fresh until its overhaul, GM has fitted the car with the 3.6-liter direct-injected V6 found elsewhere in the automaker's portfolio, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The first sales of the 2014 Impala are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2013.

[King T]

Originally Posted by DaBears

FWD is ok, as long as there is an AWD option. Hell, id even say that FWD is ok if the car looks cool enough and has good engine options. Otherwise its just a new version of a boring car using the wrong name, just like the past 10 years of Impala

True. I don't mind the new Impala being FWD, but it would be great if it was one of the best handling FWD cars in its class. Kinda follow in a Maxima-like advertising about performance.

And if they ever make an SS version, make sure its AWD like how the Taurus SHO is AWD

[King T]

Originally Posted by Rock36

I think I could settle for this too, but I really which it was still RWD.

We ALL do my friend! I would still love to find a nice, sorta low mileage, unmolested '96 SS (year with the floor mounted shifter). The prices on them have gone down a little the last couple of years, which is good for hopeful buyers




For now, we got to "work with what we got", and hope that turns out great. And to be fair, a 2006-2009 FWD Impala SS was faster with more power and less torque (303hp/323 lb-ft.) than a 1994-1996 RWD Impala (260 hp/330 lb-ft.) The FWD Impala SS weighed 3,764 lbs, did 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds, the 1/4 in 14.2@101 mph, and had a top speed of 154 mph. The RWD Impala weighed 4,221 lbs, did 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds, the 1/4 in 15.0@92 mph, and had a top speed of 145 mph.

The biggest knock against the FWD Impala SS was that the traction control system couldn't regulate the torque going to the front wheels correctly. With this Impala being on an all-new platform and with the advancement in traction control over the years this should be more controllable.

[King T]

The question now is "How does the Impala fit into the scheme of things"?

It has to be bigger and distinct enough to set itself apart from the new Malibu, but at the same time stay below the Buick LaCrosse. Of course this would have been easy to do if it was RWD, but as it is now it has a bit of tight-roping to do between the two models or risk cannibalizing or being cannibalized by the two.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by King T

The biggest knock against the FWD Impala SS was that the traction control system couldn't regulate the torque going to the front wheels correctly. With this Impala being on an all-new platform and with the advancement in traction control over the years this should be more controllable.

And the fact that it grenaded transmissions on a regular basis. A lot of the LS4-powered W-bodies did.

[King T]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

And the fact that it grenaded transmissions on a regular basis. A lot of the LS4-powered W-bodies did.

Oh yeah, forgot about that!

The good ole 4-speed would give up the ghost very frequently in those.

The 3.6L LFX V-6 makes 323 hp/278 lb-ft. tq(20 hp more & 45 lb-ft. less than the LS4). The 6 speed auto should be able to handle it now don't you think?

[H3LL1ON]

The aging Chevrolet Impala is finally getting a major overhaul for the 2014 model year, and General Motors has just shoveled $69 million into its Detroit-Hamtramck plant to support production of the next-generation sedan. According to Automotive News, GM will work on repositioning the Impala within Chevrolet's lineup. Currently, the automaker feels that there is too much price overlap between the Impala and smaller Malibu.

Was under the impression from a newscast i watched yesterday that the Impala will be built in Oshawa not Detroit.

http://m.ctv.ca/topstories/20111216/...nt-111216.html

GM said the Impala will also be built at its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant in Michigan, however how the production will be split between the two plants was not immediately know.
Canadian Auto Workers president Ken Lewenza said that will be a key issue for the union during bargaining in 2012.

Ah so both plants will be building it.

[FenwickHockey65]

Originally Posted by King T

Oh yeah, forgot about that!

The good ole 4-speed would give up the ghost very frequently in those.

The 3.6L LFX V-6 makes 323 hp/278 lb-ft. tq(20 hp more & 45 lb-ft. less than the LS4). The 6 speed auto should be able to handle it now don't you think?

The 2012 Impala has a 302 HP LFX and a 6-speed automatic. The 9C1 version supposedly moves pretty well.

[DaBears]

Bottom line is that it needs to be a drastic departure from the boring car that it has been the last decade.

[IBM]

At least that's not the '12 camaro steering wheel

It looks a lot like a Ford inside to me.. But also resembles the Volt in the way that the dash wraps around in front of the windshield to the doors. I like it.

[King T]

Originally Posted by FenwickHockey65

The 2012 Impala has a 302 HP LFX and a 6-speed automatic. The 9C1 version supposedly moves pretty well.

Correct. The 2012 Buick LaCrosse got the same 302hp V-6.

[Kyle2k]

Originally Posted by IBM

It looks a lot like a Ford inside to me.

Huh? What Ford do you speak of?

[jasonsk287]

That interior looks great! Interesting to see an update to the so-called "corporate steering wheel".

[myold88]

Originally Posted by DaBears

Bottom line is that it needs to be a drastic departure from the boring car that it has been the last decade.

I have an '06 Impala I bought new in 2005. It's been a good car. IMO Like any other 4 door sedan it's for nothing but going from point A to point B.
Now it's my daily driver to keep the Camaro out of bad weather and parking lots.