Rumors of next gen Impala, Silverado upgrades

[chevydlrmn]

I had the opportunity to get some details about the rumors of the next gen Impala. I was informed that the rwd plan IS the way they will go. I asked about the fwd stretched ep2, and he said look for the G8 platform. Then I asked about the 6 speeds in the 1500's. Sounds like some type of MCE will add them for 2009 (pretty expected). The next topic was the 6.2L in the Chevy's. It is very likely that this beast will appear soon, since it has entered the Chevrolet family with Corvette. It was also suggested that the 6.2 will power a performance version of Camaro (since the 6.0 will be replaced not really a shocker.

Also, I was out driving a Goldmist Malibu LTZ yesterday. I managed 2nd gear rubber in tapshift mode. Then, cruising along the Mississippi river had a guy in a brand new Lexus ES350 speed up to catch me. Still had the dealer tags and I had my dealer plate. He was staring me down and kept trying to get in front of me so I would let him and pass im. A little cat and mouse is always fun.

[chad4835]

Thanks for the update. I am sure there is some sweating going on over at GM when they are about to mess with the formula for their best selling car. Hopefully the Malibu does well and replaces lost Impala sales for those who do not want RWD. I would think they plan to replace all fleet Impala sales with the Malibu if they use the G8 platform as mentioned for the Impala. I currently have an 08' Impala as a rental and can see why it is popular. It was just over 19K, has enough room, and is comfortable. At the same time it is a little dated and uses some cheap interior materials and I can see where the price point and size will over lap the Malibu. Earlier posts talked about a stretched Epsilon for the next Impala and a "halo" G8 platform RWD Chevrolet. I like that idea best to protect current sales and also give Chevrolet direct competitors for the Camry (Malibu) and Avalon (Impala).

[Evo69]

Originally Posted by chevydlrmn

I had the opportunity to get some details about the rumors of the next gen Impala. I was informed that the rwd plan IS the way they will go. I asked about the fwd stretched ep2, and he said look for the G8 platform. Then I asked about the 6 speeds in the 1500's. Sounds like some type of MCE will add them for 2009 (pretty expected). The next topic was the 6.2L in the Chevy's. It is very likely that this beast will appear soon, since it has entered the Chevrolet family with Corvette. It was also suggested that the 6.2 will power a performance version of Camaro (since the 6.0 will be replaced not really a shocker.

Also, I was out driving a Goldmist Malibu LTZ yesterday. I managed 2nd gear rubber in tapshift mode. Then, cruising along the Mississippi river had a guy in a brand new Lexus ES350 speed up to catch me. Still had the dealer tags and I had my dealer plate. He was staring me down and kept trying to get in front of me so I would let him and pass im. A little cat and mouse is always fun.

Nice news there Chevydlrmn. Glad they are keeping the RWD Zeta platform for Impala, but I wouldnt be suprised if they pulled off a FWD stretched EP2. A refresh for the GMT900 trucks in 2009? No suprise there and good news too.

LOL I liked that second paragraph where you eased off that Lexus ES350 driver in your 2008 Malibu LTZ, you made him look at the Malibu's ass hahaha. A very nice touch and a sign of things to come.

[jkr2106]

Originally Posted by chad4835

Thanks for the update. I am sure there is some sweating going on over at GM when they are about to mess with the formula for their best selling car. Hopefully the Malibu does well and replaces lost Impala sales for those who do not want RWD. I would think they plan to replace all fleet Impala sales with the Malibu if they use the G8 platform as mentioned for the Impala. I currently have an 08' Impala as a rental and can see why it is popular. It was just over 19K, has enough room, and is comfortable. At the same time it is a little dated and uses some cheap interior materials and I can see where the price point and size will over lap the Malibu. Earlier posts talked about a stretched Epsilon for the next Impala and a "halo" G8 platform RWD Chevrolet. I like that idea best to protect current sales and also give Chevrolet direct competitors for the Camry (Malibu) and Avalon (Impala).

Yes!!! A lot of people want the Impala to be RWD, but what's really in a name? Chevy should have a fullsize RWD, but keep Impala owners loyal. Chevy has no competitor to the Avalon. Bring back the Caprice name for RWD.

[rueben44]

This is what bothers me...right now Holden is giving huge rebates on variants of the Commodore right...something like 4K. Well instead of taking a hit like that just slap on a Chevy face and send us a few as Impalas. Instead of giving the 4K away you could get more respect for the Impala name plate this way until the factory is tooled up here.

Same thing Saturn is doing with the Astra right now and when they have a new version they will have a whole list of new fans for that new product.

[AMcA]

Originally Posted by rueben44

This is what bothers me...right now Holden is giving huge rebates on variants of the Commodore right...something like 4K. Well instead of taking a hit like that just slap on a Chevy face and send us a few as Impalas. Instead of giving the 4K away you could get more respect for the Impala name plate this way until the factory is tooled up here.

Same thing Saturn is doing with the Astra right now and when they have a new version they will have a whole list of new fans for that new product.

So right. So simple. So, you lose some money on the proposition for a while, but you get a product established (hey, maybe even restrict the supply a bit - build a little reputation that way!), and you can be sure of what you're doing before you tool up in the states.

Maybe not a no-brainer. More of a little brainer.

[AMcA]

Originally Posted by jkr2106

Yes!!! A lot of people want the Impala to be RWD, but what's really in a name? Chevy should have a fullsize RWD, but keep Impala owners loyal. Chevy has no competitor to the Avalon. Bring back the Caprice name for RWD.

Sorry. No. The Caprice name has none of the umpf of Impala name. None. It was a trim package, that devolved down in GM fashion into a taxi cab. There was never a great Caprice. There were many great Impalas. (Indeed, the only notable Caprice was re-named Impala.)

[chevydlrmn]

If a Zeta Chevy was named Caprice, they would be using a global name, as we know is the idea. An ep2 Impala would continue the name recognition. When the current Impala was launched, we learned that the plan was to eliminate models from having their own emblems. Malibu lost its, and Monte Carlo lost its in 06. Impala kept its. The reason; Impala's emblem was more recognized than the Corvette's. I think a Malibu EL (extended length) could be interesting too. However, Impala has more volume potential as does fwd. My source avoided talking about the stretched ep2. With the desire GM has to get back in the car game, I doubt they will leave a gap for Toyota to eat large fwd sales, i.e. from LeSabre, Lucerne, Bonneville owners.

[DuSpinnst]

The EPII Extended Sedan is going to replace the Signum (look at the Vectra versus the Signum in Europe). Only this version of the "Signum" will have a Malibu Maxx type rear end on the Wagon/Hatch instead of a typical one.

EPII Extended Notchback will probably be global as well.

RWD Zeta Chevy is also a go.

The only thing that is up in the air right now is which one will carry the Impala name.

[jkr2106]

@chevydlrmn--Exactly. GENERAL motors to me means a car for everybody. If you can't find what you want at GM, you won't find it anywhere. Chevy HAS to fight Toyota on every front, and although the Avalon is not a top 10 bestseller, it still has decent volume.

@AMcA--There have been some substandard Impalas over the years, so let's not pretend only the Caprice name was dragged through the mud. But also, yes the Caprice started out as a trim level. But IIRC, it was the premium/luxury trim level, so better than the base Impala. Also, many names (like Malibu) started as trim levels.

[I-Love-Pontiac]

It had better be RWD. We already have a great FWD sedan. We don't need another!

[Smoothcat]

Originally Posted by jkr2106

Yes!!! A lot of people want the Impala to be RWD, but what's really in a name? Chevy should have a fullsize RWD, but keep Impala owners loyal. Chevy has no competitor to the Avalon. Bring back the Caprice name for RWD.

See, I don't think Chevy needs a competitor for the Avalon. Yes the Avalon is big, but the other half of its purpose is to be a "luxury" Toyota. Chevrolet does not need a faux-luxury car at its top end - that's what Buick is for. The RWD Chevy needs to be an Impala, but it needs to exemplify what the Chevy brand is supposed to be: value. In this case, a large, powerful RWD car for a good price (i.e., do what the Charger has failed to do). There doesn't need to be any other car above the Malibu.

[chevydlrmn]

Originally Posted by Smoothcat

See, I don't think Chevy needs a competitor for the Avalon. Yes the Avalon is big, but the other half of its purpose is to be a "luxury" Toyota. Chevrolet does not need a faux-luxury car at its top end - that's what Buick is for. The RWD Chevy needs to be an Impala, but it needs to exemplify what the Chevy brand is supposed to be: value. In this case, a large, powerful RWD car for a good price (i.e., do what the Charger has failed to do). There doesn't need to be any other car above the Malibu.

If Buick is to be geared towards Lexus, although it will take great patience, an Avalon competitor makes more sense as a Chevy. Like jkr2106 said.

[Phoenix]

Originally Posted by DuSpinnst

The EPII Extended Sedan is going to replace the Signum (look at the Vectra versus the Signum in Europe). Only this version of the "Signum" will have a Malibu Maxx type rear end on the Wagon/Hatch instead of a typical one.

EPII Extended Notchback will probably be global as well.

RWD Zeta Chevy is also a go.

The only thing that is up in the air right now is which one will carry the Impala name.

Let me see if I understand this. Chevy will have a version of the EPII extended notchback, which could be called Impala?

[chevydlrmn]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

Let me see if I understand this. Chevy will have a version of the EPII extended notchback, which could be called Impala?

not without a sedan too, atleast in the U.S. Malibu Maxx was a little cramped in cargo capacity with the seats up. An Impala version with more space should do better.