STONE_COLD
21/06/2004, 09h05
The word Impala is synonymous with "Surprise Success" at General Motors. Many did not expect the Impala to rope in such sales success to Chevrolet. Sales of the Impala are strong and continue to gain momentum, however the time is approaching that Chevrolet has to update the Impala. The Next Impala will debut in 2006 as a 2006 model. The Impala will feature 3 new engine choices. The base engine will be the 3.5L 3500 V6 which is currently optional on the 2004 Chevrolet Malibu and standard on the Malibu Maxx. The 3500 delivers 200HP and 220lb/ft of torque, which we do not expect will change in the Impala. The next engine which will be optional on the LS and standard on the LT is the 3900 Series, 3.9L V6 engine. We estimate that this engine will produce near 260HP and 260lb/ft of torque, though numbers have not yet been released. The 3900, set to debut in 2006 will power the Pontiac G6 GTP and GXP. The Impala SS will be powered by a 5.3L Vortec V8 Engine. This engine will also power the 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP and is said to produce near 290HP and 300lb/ft of torque, though official numbers have not been released.
The interior will receive a complete redo and is said to look much more luxurious and richer than the drab interior of the current Impala. Rich materials and colors will be used. Wood trim is to be standard on the LT and Metallic trim on the SS. We expect the interior of the Impala to feature the "Waterfall" effect that Bob Lutz has prescribed to the 2005 Buick LaCrosse and the 2005 Cadillac STS.
Though many have thought that Chevrolet would wait until Zeta to redesign the Impala, it can be inferred that Chevrolet saw the success it was having with the FWD setup and decided to at least wait until later to develop a Zeta (RWD) Impala. This lends itself to several different scenarios:
1) Impala stays FWD until 2009, then turns RWD on the Zeta chassis. This would mean that the Impala would not be the first Zeta, because Zeta is said to be in production in 2007. Therefore, Buick will most likely receive the first Zeta vehicle, then Pontiac, then Chevrolet.
2) Impala stays FWD until 2007, then turns RWD on the Zeta chassis. This would mean that Chevrolet wasted development money on a new FWD Impala, which is definitely not likely.
3) Impala stays FWD for it's life-span, and the rumored return of the Caprice is true. The Caprice would be Zeta based and possibly debut in 2008 or 2009, along with a coupe, likely a Chevelle or Camaro replacement, due to the fact that the Monte Carlo is scheduled to die by the end of the decade.
Either way, the Impala will be here to stay and will likely be it's volume seller, unless for some reason, the Malibu starts to really take off. Here is to a better and brighter Chevrolet future, may it be filled with large RWD car and a Midsize RWD Coupe!
The interior will receive a complete redo and is said to look much more luxurious and richer than the drab interior of the current Impala. Rich materials and colors will be used. Wood trim is to be standard on the LT and Metallic trim on the SS. We expect the interior of the Impala to feature the "Waterfall" effect that Bob Lutz has prescribed to the 2005 Buick LaCrosse and the 2005 Cadillac STS.
Though many have thought that Chevrolet would wait until Zeta to redesign the Impala, it can be inferred that Chevrolet saw the success it was having with the FWD setup and decided to at least wait until later to develop a Zeta (RWD) Impala. This lends itself to several different scenarios:
1) Impala stays FWD until 2009, then turns RWD on the Zeta chassis. This would mean that the Impala would not be the first Zeta, because Zeta is said to be in production in 2007. Therefore, Buick will most likely receive the first Zeta vehicle, then Pontiac, then Chevrolet.
2) Impala stays FWD until 2007, then turns RWD on the Zeta chassis. This would mean that Chevrolet wasted development money on a new FWD Impala, which is definitely not likely.
3) Impala stays FWD for it's life-span, and the rumored return of the Caprice is true. The Caprice would be Zeta based and possibly debut in 2008 or 2009, along with a coupe, likely a Chevelle or Camaro replacement, due to the fact that the Monte Carlo is scheduled to die by the end of the decade.
Either way, the Impala will be here to stay and will likely be it's volume seller, unless for some reason, the Malibu starts to really take off. Here is to a better and brighter Chevrolet future, may it be filled with large RWD car and a Midsize RWD Coupe!