Performance and Refinement Upgrades Define 2006 Chevy Impala and Monte Carlo

Like many of its other sedans, the new sedan and coupe feature a flexible interior too, with split-folding rear seatbacks

New more sophisticated seats come standard in high-quality cloth or can be surfaced in top-grade Nuance Sandstone leather (Monte Carlo shown). (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

and a truly useful flat-folding front passenger seatback, allowing long and otherwise awkward items to be stowed aboard.

Those seats, more sophisticated in design and featuring firmer cushions with increased lumbar support, come standard in a high-quality cloth or can be surfaced in top-grade Nuance Sandstone leather.

In front of the Impala driver is an all-new instrument panel design, a far cry more attractive than the current version. The new one, the wraps around to each front door panel, integrates a double-hump layout that Chevy says is "reminiscent of early Corvettes". It shades the jewel-like instruments on the left side of the cabin and adds a nice styling detail in front of the front passenger, complementing the

The Impala's all-new instrument panel design is a far cry more attractive than the current version. (Photo: General Motors of Canada)

"technical-pattern" metal or wood trim, depending on whether SS or other models are chosen, that tastefully accents the lower portion of the dash and surrounding area.

The Monte Carlo gets an interior upgrade too, but its gauge clusters and center stack, which GM says are easier to read and more informative than in the previous model, are more driver-centric than the Impala, with all primary and ancillary controls canted toward the command seat. The design includes a sportier shift lever with chrome accents as well, and all surfaces are likewise upgraded to GM's new high standards.