Speculation: New Impala Coming in 2011?

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Speculation: New Impala Coming in 2011?
The Impala's future continues to evolve.
www.gminsidenews.com
August 24, 2009
By: Nick Saporito

The Chevrolet Impala has generated a whole lot of controversy in the last year. The current car was all-new in 2006, but based upon a chassis that dates back over 20 years ago and it is saddled with four-speed automatic transmissions and overhead-valve V6's. Needless to say, the car is not exactly the most competitive product within the GM stable today. With that said, the future of the Impala is almost constantly under discussion and there have been several stories of the possible replacements for the car. Even many insiders are left scratching their heads as to what will happen with the Impala.

Initially the current car was going to soldier on until about 2013. Even leaked UAW documents support that plan. That particular plan leaves most of us at GMI shuddering in the corner questioning the sanity of GM management. However, GMI is hearing tid-bits of a supposed new Impala coming sometime in the 2011 time frame. Rear-wheel drive fans will have to sit this one out, because the supposed new car will be front-wheel drive.

Yes, that is correct. GMI is hearing that the possible new Impala will be based on a variant of the Epsilon II platform; a similar variant that will underpin the new Cadillac XTS. We're told this variant of Epsilon II will be the largest variant of the platform, at least by current GM plans.

GM is wanting the Impala to compete with the all-new Ford Taurus head on. We've talked with people that have seen the supposed new Impala and they claim the car will compete with the Taurus easily.

Additionally, plans for another new Impala are slated in 2013-2014. Please be advised that the Impala has been consistent only in that the future has always been unconfirmed, so take any news about it with a grain of salt.

[kenman923]

I'll believe it when I see it. They promised a new Impala before only to delay it. I won't believe it until they introduce it at a future auto show. Enough said!

[member12]

Good. Taurus is a good car, it will sell well. It can't go unanswered.

Though I'd prefer rear wheel drive.....

[FenwickHockey65]

Yeesh. I don't even care what wheels drive the damn car anymore, just hurry up and do it. Until the new Impala hits the market, the Taurus is going to kick the W-body's butt all over the place.

[prowlerjc]

The current Impala is a thoroughly decent car and does its job well for 99% of the driving public (most of whom don't know or don't care which end drives the car or how many cams open the valves).

I wouldn't mind seeing a new one, but all the hate draped over the Impala is a bit over the top.

[BlackGTP]

Wouldn't it be great if GM actually does have hard plans for the next Impala and actually keeping it secret and possibly giving out false information?

Back to reality, who am I kidding. GM is worse with keeping things secret than a five year old....

[BlackGTP]

Originally Posted by prowlerjc

The current Impala is a thoroughly decent car and does its job well for 99% of the driving public (most of whom don't know or don't care which end drives the car or how many cams open the valves).

I wouldn't mind seeing a new one, but all the hate draped over the Impala is a bit over the top.

After living with my '08 Malibu for almost 1 year I was amazed at how old the Impala felt when I rented one a few weeks ago. In comparison to the Malibu it was loud with road/wind noise and an unenthusiastic engine (I have the 3.6) - not sure which engine was in the Impala. Though nice, the interior felt more old school GM than modern. Driving the Impala the car felt glued to the road by vast weight (my '02 Grand Prix felt the same, though the GP felt livlier) - felt safe but not fun. Overall an ok car, but I walked away saying it would have been a great car 10 years ago... I think these are all things the average buyer will feel as they compare to other vehicles. They may not care if is OHC or OHV, but they will feel it's GM-10 chassis age. The Impala only competes in the sense it is a good size car for the amount it costs.

In other words they need to redesign it now.

[chevyman1973]

wouldnt it be kool if the current impala out sells the in coming ford taurus!

[377Z]

So this will be the Chevy version of the XTS. Since the XTS is rumored to start at some $28K, what will this be priced like, a Cobalt?

[wescoent]

Technically, an EPII Impala shouldn't have any problems competing with the Taurus. AWD, 3.6L V6, and plenty of interior space.

Some questions:

1) Will truck space be addressed?

2) Given that the Taurus shamelessly loads up on available features, how will GM reconcile the Impala hitting the Lacrosse and XTS head on?

3) Can EPII handle a powertrain capable of hanging with the SHO?

[johnstarnes]

I hope that 2011 sees a stellar TRULY new Impala that looks bold and 21st century yet with the heritage design cue of six tail lamps. Give it a modern platform (I had no idea the current one is TWENTY years old! Would Toyota try to pull that off?), a great fuel efficient engine (maybe like the 30 mpg. one in the Camaro) and the choice of a manual or 6 speed transmission. When the 1965 Impala came out I was in 6th grade and it blew people away...I'd love to see a 21st century Impala with a similar impact. Make it look GOOD GM! Get design cues from the SS concept you foolishly never built!

[Danko]

Except for the stupid surfboards on the trunks of most Impalas except the LSs, the Impala has a simple yet appealing style on the outside. After buying two new Malibus, the Impala's interior looks worse than outdated. A new Impala is VERY overdue! Knowing now the "big" Caddy will not do the right thing by going RWD like all of its true competition, it is no surprise the Impala will suffer from the same mistake. Competing with the Taurus is not enough. CAFE strikes again and the new GM is doing the right political thing but the wrong carguy thing. Too bad............. Obama Motors is making a mistake. later - I like the above suggestion of 6 taillights but not the manual trans idea. Wrong market!

[chevyman1973]

Originally Posted by Danko

Except for the stupid surfboards on the trunks of most Impalas except the LSs, the Impala has a simple yet appealing style on the outside. After buying two new Malibus, the Impala's interior looks worse than outdated. A new Impala is VERY overdue! Knowing now the "big" Caddy will not do the right thing by going RWD like all of its true competition, it is no surprise the Impala will suffer from the same mistake. Competing with the Taurus is not enough. CAFE strikes again and the new GM is doing the right political thing but the wrong carguy thing. Too bad............. Obama Motors is making a mistake. later - I like the above suggestion of 6 taillights but not the manual trans idea. Wrong market!

i want a rwd car also, but what do you want gm to do, they have to play by the rules! and they need to fit all these cars under one roof! now what would you rather have a rwd impala or a camaro?

seems like a no brainer to me

[Byron]

The wife and I have a 2008 Impala and love it. However if you talk to the police that drive them, well thats another story. The car is just not big enough to haul around all the equipment they need. Most of my Police friends like the Tahoe and the rear wheel drive Dodge. There has to be a market for a larger rear wheel drive GM car out in the real world.

BUILD IT HERE , SELL IT HERE, PROFIT HERE.

[neshapop]

Originally Posted by prowlerjc

The current Impala is a thoroughly decent car and does its job well for 99% of the driving public (most of whom don't know or don't care which end drives the car or how many cams open the valves).

I wouldn't mind seeing a new one, but all the hate draped over the Impala is a bit over the top.

Impala should be out soon to prop up the sales of bread and butter sedans, aiming to niche features will prolong the launch and it won't bring market share to GM. Having Camaro and Corvette is more than enough for one brand to carry in performance division. Chevy needs Cruze/Malibu/Impala to be competitive volume sedans.

I don't mind platform sharing with Buick and Caddy if they are differentiated by options, design and price accordingly.