All engines are mated to a Hydra-Matic 4T65-E four-speed automatic transmission, which does a good job but is not on the cutting edge of trannies anymore, thanks to the arrival of five- and six-speed automatics from other companies. GM is working on such technology, however, so a new transmission should be available on Impala in a couple of years.
GM is considerably more au courant with its suspension and tire offerings.
''All Impalas are helped by a more robust front-end structure,'' explains Dewar, since it provides a firmer foundation for the suspension setup, which improves noise, vibration and harshness issues and delivers improved steering and handling performance.
At the front, Impala gets a McPherson strut coil-over-spring independent suspension with gas-charged four-valve struts and a stabilizer bar, with taller jounce bumpers ''helping to enhance stability and control.'' The rear suspension uses a trailing arm, tri-link setup with gas-charged, four-valve struts and coil springs, and a rear stabilizer bar.
From the basic suspension designs, says Dewar, Impala can be ordered with three distinct suspension settings, ''each tuned to match the power and expected performance level of its respective model.''
Base models with the 3.5-litre V-6 have an FE1 suspension package that Dewar says ''provides improved control over previous base models without compromising ride quality.'' The package includes 16-inch wheels and P225/60R16 ALS (all-season) Goodyear Integrity radials, which are ''specifically developed to provide a quieter ride and better fuel economy compared to previous base models.''
Dewar says the FE1 suspension package is also available with 17-inch wheels and tires for better high-speed control, including a 10-mm-wider track. P225/55R17 AL2 (touring) Goodyear Eagle LS2 radials are partnered with the 17-inch aluminum wheels, Dewar says, ''providing greater handling capability and more stability in tighter turns.''
Impala SS models comes with an FE3 suspension, which is ''designed to provide a sporty ride that complements the 5.3L V-8's performance through increased stiffness and ride control, with reduced body lean and greater high-speed stability.''
Prices will not be announced to closer to Impala's on-sale date, but it's not likely that they'll range too far from those of the 2005 model, which begin at $26,405 for a base model and go to $30,345 for an LS and then $37,175 for an SS.
photo:GM of Canada
GM is considerably more au courant with its suspension and tire offerings.
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| 2006 Chevrolet Impala (photo: General Motors) |
At the front, Impala gets a McPherson strut coil-over-spring independent suspension with gas-charged four-valve struts and a stabilizer bar, with taller jounce bumpers ''helping to enhance stability and control.'' The rear suspension uses a trailing arm, tri-link setup with gas-charged, four-valve struts and coil springs, and a rear stabilizer bar.
From the basic suspension designs, says Dewar, Impala can be ordered with three distinct suspension settings, ''each tuned to match the power and expected performance level of its respective model.''
Base models with the 3.5-litre V-6 have an FE1 suspension package that Dewar says ''provides improved control over previous base models without compromising ride quality.'' The package includes 16-inch wheels and P225/60R16 ALS (all-season) Goodyear Integrity radials, which are ''specifically developed to provide a quieter ride and better fuel economy compared to previous base models.''
 |
| 2006 Chevrolet Impala (photo: General Motors) |
Impala SS models comes with an FE3 suspension, which is ''designed to provide a sporty ride that complements the 5.3L V-8's performance through increased stiffness and ride control, with reduced body lean and greater high-speed stability.''
Prices will not be announced to closer to Impala's on-sale date, but it's not likely that they'll range too far from those of the 2005 model, which begin at $26,405 for a base model and go to $30,345 for an LS and then $37,175 for an SS.
photo:GM of Canada
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