Performance and Refinement Upgrades Define 2006 Chevy Impala and Monte Carlo

All models of each car get a power rack-and-pinion steering system as standard equipment, with base models getting a 13.3:1

All models of each car get a power rack-and-pinion steering system as standard equipment. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

steering ratio. Other upgrades include a quieter power steering pump and fluid reservoir that is said to improve performance by optimizing the hydraulic steering fluid's internal flow.

The suspension is made up of a McPherson strut coil-over-spring independent front setup with gas-charged 4-valve struts and a stabilizer bar. Aiding stability are taller jounce bumpers in the front suspension. In the rear, a trailing arm, tri-link setup is used with gas-charged, 4-valve struts and coil springs. A rear stabilizer bar is standard across the line.

Over and above the two models' basic suspension architecture are three separate suspension settings, each tuned specifically to match respective performance levels. Entry-level

Eighteen-inch wheels wrapped with W-rated P235/50R18 AL3 Goodyear Eagle RS-A performance tires are standard on the Impala SS and Monte Carlo SS models. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

models get an FE1 (base Impala) and FE2 (Monte Carlo LS) suspension designation, with either 16- or 17-inch wheels on P225/60R16 Goodyear Integrity or P225/55R17 AL2 Goodyear Eagle LS2 tires, depending on whether the 3.5 or 3.9L engine is chosen.

FE3 and FE4 suspensions are standard on Impala SS and Monte Carlo SS models respectively, and feature specially tuned struts on each model, 34-mm hollow front and 18-mm solid rear stabilizer bars, and standard 18-inch wheels wrapped with W-rated P235/50R18 AL3 Goodyear Eagle RS-A performance tires.