GMI Exclusive: Impala, Commodore Going to RWD Alpha Platform?

[nsap]

GMI Exclusive: Impala, Commodore Going to RWD Alpha Platform?
Will GM fans get the RWD Impala they dream of...maybe.
www.gminsidenews.com
March 30, 2009
By: Nsap

Pictured: Current Commodore-based Chevrolet Lumina for Middle Eastern markets.

As promised over the weekend, GMInsidenews is launching news of new developments around the future of the Chevrolet Impala. The Impala has been the source of much confusion with the public and GM internally. Several different avenues have been suggested for the future of the car, but nothing has yet been set in stone. The only constant that we have been hearing regarding the car is that the current W-Body Impala will stay in production through 2013; making it a staggering seven year life cycle. Now to the new stuff.

Last week GMI sources tipped us off of news that the future of the Impala was yet again being discussed internally within the GM ranks. The most recent news to that point was that the car would likely migrate to a long-wheel base Epsilon II platform; which is front-wheel drive and the eventual underpinnings of the next-generation Chevrolet Malibu. Our sources, however, had much more encouraging news for us regarding the Impala this time. Apparently there is still a chance we’re going to get our rear-wheel drive Impala yet!

According to our sources, GM’s product board is currently looking into merging the Holden Commodore and the next-generation Impala as one car that would be sold globally. Initially the Impala was going to be built upon the Zeta rear-wheel drive platform, which currently holds up the Holden Commodore. Zeta, sadly, has been killed almost entirely, so said plans for the Impala were axed. In 2011 Holden is going to get a new Commodore based on the Camaro’s variant of the Zeta architecture, this is dubbed the “VF” Commodore. All the while, those of us in North America will continue to be stuck with current Impala.

After the VF Commodore lives its life cycle, the replacement that is currently on the consideration list is a long-wheel base version of the upcoming Alpha rear-wheel drive platform. This is where the Impala comes in. If the plan is approved, the VG Commodore would spawn a new Impala for North America. Think of the relationship as similar to what we have with the Pontiac G8 and Holden Commodore today; they would mostly be the same car. We’re told GM’s plans include building the Impala in North America and selling it in several of the global markets that Chevrolet is now sold in.

The downside to this plan: it would cause a 2-3 year hiatus for the Impala after the current model’s product run is finished. That would mean a new Impala would not come out until 2015 or so, which would be the Commodore-based one. We’re told this plan has not been given the green-light, but is under a serious consideration by the ranks within GM. Stay tuned, we’ll keep you posted on the Impala’s future.

CLICK HERE FOR GMI's ALL-NEW FUTURE PRODUCT GUIDE

[mucker15]

That would be great if the alpha platform is the lighter platform I heard it was. There are rumors out there that the next Camaro might be alpha based lighter car after the current run ends. If they could achieve the mpg with it. I think it would be a great family car. right now though they need to get the current Camaro out,, I have heard they are starting to be shipped. I cant wait to get mine. Now I just hope GM weathers the storm and makes it.

[yamahr1]

If they divest Pontiac of the G8, it makes sense to change it a bit and rechristen it the Impala. Put the power of Chevrolet behind such an excellent product, and that should turn into a hit. Whereas the G8 is just a mild success.

[bmwboy2007]

Impala needs to be reconverted to RWD as soon as reasonably possible. Perhaps this could work.

[OutBurst]

Um 2015? Will I still be alive? Why not have the Impala AWD on the Epsilon II?

[tripowergto]

Sounds like wishful thinking to me.

[WishIhadatruck]

This makes sense since Buick can cover the large FWD market. However, it is really going to hurt them to eliminate the nameplate for 2 years. Can't they figure out how to fill the gap with the VF Commodore?

I assume this means the G8 is dead eventually as well? Is Pontiac all done?

[fastball]

With all the shakeup going on from Washington, there's no way to tell what GM's product portfolio will look like beyond the current run of vehicles.

With Obama's handy work, we might see the Camaro turn into a FWD 4 cylinder and the Impala turn into a tricycle.

[mucker15]

This makes sense since Buick can cover the large FWD market. However, it is really going to hurt them to eliminate the nameplate for 2 years. Can't they figure out how to fill the gap with the VF Commodore?

I assume this means the G8 is dead eventually as well? Is Pontiac all done?

It could be a casualty of the restructuring I suppose,

[mucker15]

With all the shakeup going on from Washington, there's no way to tell what GM's product portfolio will look like beyond the current run of vehicles.

With Obama's handy work, we might see the Camaro turn into a FWD 4 cylinder and the Impala turn into a tricycle.

yikes!!! I think we will see the next generation Camaro on a lighter smalled platform. On some of the Camaro boards its been stated that the Camaro will stay on its current platform and should not be effected until 2016. Then the platform will most likely be the smalled lighter alpha derivitive, meaning better MPG but lighter can also mean better performance, gulp ihope

[saturnista]

I think Buick is getting something new in early '10.

[Hurricane]

If they divest Pontiac of the G8, it makes sense to change it a bit and rechristen it the Impala. Put the power of Chevrolet behind such an excellent product, and that should turn into a hit. Whereas the G8 is just a mild success.

I would agree with this...plus a more modern Impala (with a better interior) could be a huge hit!

[SNO]

undecided maybe could might 'looking into' 'giving consideration'

This is why GM is in such a mess. They couldn't make a decision if their life depended on it... and it does!

I know they don't have the money to do this now, but they should at least have a plan so that when/if they have the funds, they can start building the product.

[wescoent]

And GM's accounting department wins again!

It all sounds fine and good until you remember a little tidbit from our local Cadillac insider...

The CTS is going on LWB Alpha too.

Thus is the final nail in Cadillac's coffin.

[MonaroSS]

Just as I thought, the current Impala isn't going anywhere soon....

........'till 2013


......from 2015?