The switchgear in my tester functioned smoothly and presented first-class tactility imparted by rubberized surfaces on the HVAC and
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| The switchgear in my tester functioned smoothly and presented first-class tactility imparted by rubberized surfaces on the HVAC and audio dials. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press) |
audio dials. Layout of the instrumentation and various controls and switches is logical and for the most part, straightforward. There isn't the sort of complexity in the Impala's business office that can cause angst and heart palpitation among the techno-challenged, such as in some vehicles choosing to needlessly "wow" us with buttons and LCD screens. Regrettably, a tiny LED position indicator on some of the controls undermines the Impala's elementary approach to switchgear by making it particularly difficult to decipher settings at a glance.
Worthy of acclaim both inside and outside the Impala, is its overall build quality. Body-panel gapping is slim and
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| The reworking Chevy gave the Impala for 2006 is much more than skin deep. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, American Auto Press) |
than skin deep. A new suspension design underpins the vehicle, which (231 cu in) V6. This new precise. Doors close easily and seal shut with a quality-like "whump", as does the trunk. The reworking Chevy gave the Impala for 2006 is much morereceives increased power and performance thanks to several new engine choices. The base powerplant is the venerable 3.5-liter (213 cu in) V6 that has kicked around GM for some time now, however its output has now been upped by 30 horses to 210. Next in the engine food chain is GM's recently introduced 240-horsepower, 3.9-liter recruit relies upon 2-valve per-cylinder technology rather than the 4-valve per-cylinder grouping utilized by many competitors. In spite of its twin-valve design, GM's larger V6 features variable valve timing to squeeze out up to 245 foot-pounds of torque. For those harking back to the days of the mighty V8, the Impala SS is motivated by a 303-horsepower 5.3-liter (325 cu in) V8.
