GMI Asks: Keep Impala FWD, Take RWD, Kill?

**nsap** · 10-04-2008, 03:05 PM

GMI Asks: Keep Impala FWD, Take RWD, Kill?

This week GMI broke news that due to the purposed $25 Billion bailout of the U.S. auto industry, they are now pondering taking the Impala to rear-wheel drive (yet again). The car would be a rebadged Holden Commodore (next-generation) much like our current Pontiac G8. This would spell the end of the G8 however.

So should GM keep on that track; giving us a Commodore-rebadge Impala (killing the G8), keep the Impala front-wheel drive on Epsilon II, or just kill it and let the Malibu handle it all.

We should note that at last check the G8 did not have a future past the current generation regardless of what GM decides with the Impala.

supraracer · 10-04-2008, 03:56 PM

Why does the G8 need to be discontiued to do the RWD Impala? Resources?

mbukukanyau · 10-04-2008, 04:10 PM

Why does the G8 need to die?

RamJet502 · 10-04-2008, 04:17 PM

Its amazing to me that those are the only three options.

**ChevyRules** · 10-04-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by supraracer

Why does the G8 need to be discontiued to do the RWD Impala? Resources?

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

Why does the G8 need to die?

Seeing that Pontiac's future isn't too bright at the moment, the G8 would die anyway eventually.

The enthusiast that I am says RWD or nothing.

jkennedy293 · 10-04-2008, 05:33 PM

GM should only make the Impala RWD if it can build it in mass quantities. It should size in between the CTS and the upcoming Cadillac Alpha.

**ChevyRules** · 10-04-2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkennedy293

GM should only make the Impala RWD if it can build it in mass quantities. It should size in between the CTS and the upcoming Cadillac Alpha.

That would be Cobalt to Malibu size. Impala should be bigger then the Malibu.

EldoFan · 10-04-2008, 05:44 PM

The Cruze & Malibu should be holding the FWD line quite well for Chevy. The Impala should go RWD and while they're at it, bring the Statesman up and slap a Caprice badge on it.....that's one nameplate I'd like to see revived

A.J. · 10-04-2008, 07:34 PM

Can there be a fourth option?

I'd rather see a FWD and a RWD larger sedan from Chevrolet - like how my Lumina and Impala drawings compare to each other.

Whoo. 400th post. I feel good.

LAChevy24 · 10-04-2008, 07:57 PM

i say go rwd. i know they are selling well at fwd, but the malibu looks way better, seems to be better, and arent they about the same size? i hate to see pontiac go, but if this makes chevys better, then why not.

and ChevyRules, is that from Gundam 00? havent seen it yet, but looks cool

LeSabre · 10-04-2008, 07:57 PM

I get the impression that the 1st option(Rebadge the next-gen Commodore as Impala) on the poll makes it sound like it would be basically a blatant rebadge(just like the Pontiac G8) should the next gen. Impala be moved to RWD on the same platform as the Holden Commodore. This is a bad idea to blatant rebadge the Impala w/just changing the front/rear fascias as GM did w/the G8.

I have yet to vote. I would vote to change the Impala back to RWD. but I can not vote that way w/how it is written in the poll for this option as it gives me the above impression. GM plainly blatant rebadges there cars from one division to another too much & too cheaply. GM cutting corners like this is just bad overall & bad for the other brands identities that get these blatant rebadges. Not just nationally, but on a global scale as well.

schmallz · 10-04-2008, 09:03 PM

GM would be nuts to abandon the FWD Full Size Market. Avalon and Taurus ain't going anywhere. I say keep Impala FWD, and all other chevys(Except Camaro and Corvette of course)

Can Lambda be used for this? If so i would put the Impala on it and give Buick a version of the platform, not the car, for the next Lucerne. Then allow Pontiac and Cadillac to share a Zeta Platform for a Full Size RWD car. But Cadillac has the premium version. With a line up like that GM could have 4 Full Size models that do not step on each others shoes.

jmlee0695 · 10-04-2008, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by schmallz

GM would be nuts to abandon the FWD Full Size Market. Avalon and Taurus ain't going anywhere. I say keep Impala FWD, and all other chevys(Except Camaro and Corvette of course)

Can Lambda be used for this? If so i would put the Impala on it and give Buick a version of the platform, not the car, for the next Lucerne. Then allow Pontiac and Cadillac to share a Zeta Platform for a Full Size RWD car. But Cadillac has the premium version. With a line up like that GM could have 4 Full Size models that do not step on each others shoes.

i was wondering the same thing about lambda, but i dont think so. i know gm was working on a platform named "chi" that was lambda but for car applications to replace g-body but i beilive it was cancelled as buick was supposed to get zeta,but then cafe came along and cadillac is getting zeta so...

**GMCSonoma** · 10-04-2008, 10:29 PM

If Pontiac fades away as planned, Chevy should have BOTH...Impala FWD, revive the Caprice as RWD...solved.

Our sales people state many potential customers come in all excited over the new "Grand Prix replacement", as they relate the G8 despite sales telling them it is all new, people love the car & the until they find out it's RWD...then they look at a LaCrosse or Impala, or they leave for a Camry!

EldoFan · 10-04-2008, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMCSonoma

If Pontiac fades away as planned, Chevy should have BOTH...Impala FWD, revive the Caprice as RWD...solved.

Our sales people state many potential customers come in all excited over the new "Grand Prix replacement", as they relate the G8 despite sales telling them it is all new, people love the car & the until they find out it's RWD...then they look at a LaCrosse or Impala, or they leave for a Camry!

That works too

View Poll Results: What Should GM Do With Impala?
Rebadge the next-gen Commodore as Impala	131	59.01%
Keep it FWD on Epsilon II	71	31.98%
Kill it!	20	9.01%
Voters: 222. You may not vote on this poll

10-04-2008, 03:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
nsap Administrator Join Date: Jan 2003 Drives: 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP 2009 Ford Focus SEL Posts: 15,020	GMI Asks: Keep Impala FWD, Take RWD, Kill? GMI Asks: Keep Impala FWD, Take RWD, Kill? This week GMI broke news that due to the purposed $25 Billion bailout of the U.S. auto industry, they are now pondering taking the Impala to rear-wheel drive (yet again). The car would be a rebadged Holden Commodore (next-generation) much like our current Pontiac G8. This would spell the end of the G8 however. So should GM keep on that track; giving us a Commodore-rebadge Impala (killing the G8), keep the Impala front-wheel drive on Epsilon II, or just kill it and let the Malibu handle it all. We should note that at last check the G8 did not have a future past the current generation regardless of what GM decides with the Impala. __________________ E-Mail Me Engine Guide Updated!! -- Revised layout, more info., up-to-date Last edited by nsap : 10-04-2008 at 03:08 PM.

10-04-2008, 03:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
supraracer 3.8 Liter V6 Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Tha D.M.V. Drives: 1992 Supra Turbo Posts: 357	Re: GMI Asks: Keep Impala FWD, Take RWD, Kill? Why does the G8 need to be discontiued to do the RWD Impala? Resources?

10-04-2008, 04:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
mbukukanyau 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: In front of my computer Drives: 2006 HHR 2002 Corolla-Before I saw the light Posts: 8,051	Re: GMI Asks: Keep Impala FWD, Take RWD, Kill? Why does the G8 need to die? __________________ Before Understanding comes Faith "Legislatures represent people, not acres or trees"-Earl Warren

10-04-2008, 04:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
RamJet502 5.3 Liter LS4 V8 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Las Vegas, NV Drives: 2001 Chevy Silverado Posts: 3,094	Re: GMI Asks: Keep Impala FWD, Take RWD, Kill? Its amazing to me that those are the only three options. __________________

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10-04-2008, 05:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
jkennedy293 5.3 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Holly Springs, NC Drives: '03 Cavalier Posts: 1,293	Re: GMI Asks: Keep Impala FWD, Take RWD, Kill? GM should only make the Impala RWD if it can build it in mass quantities. It should size in between the CTS and the upcoming Cadillac Alpha.

10-04-2008, 05:44 PM	#8 (permalink)
EldoFan 6.0 Liter LS2 V8 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Omaha Nebraska, USA Drives: '08 Malibu LT '94 Plymouth Voyager Posts: 4,887	Re: GMI Asks: Keep Impala FWD, Take RWD, Kill? The Cruze & Malibu should be holding the FWD line quite well for Chevy. The Impala should go RWD and while they're at it, bring the Statesman up and slap a Caprice badge on it.....that's one nameplate I'd like to see revived __________________ When you turn your car on....does it return the favor? Past Rides: '90 Lincoln Mark VII '93 Ford Taurus GL

10-04-2008, 07:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
A.J. GMI Design Contest Official Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 504	Re: GMI Asks: Keep Impala FWD, Take RWD, Kill? Can there be a fourth option? I'd rather see a FWD and a RWD larger sedan from Chevrolet - like how my Lumina and Impala drawings compare to each other. Whoo. 400th post. I feel good. __________________ A.J. Product Placement #1 - The Buick Lineup in the US #2 - The Opel Lineup in the US Last edited by A.J. : 10-04-2008 at 07:53 PM.

10-04-2008, 07:57 PM	#10 (permalink)
LAChevy24 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: West Hills, CA Drives: Toyota Corolla Posts: 2,499	Re: GMI Asks: Keep Impala FWD, Take RWD, Kill? i say go rwd. i know they are selling well at fwd, but the malibu looks way better, seems to be better, and arent they about the same size? i hate to see pontiac go, but if this makes chevys better, then why not. and ChevyRules, is that from Gundam 00? havent seen it yet, but looks cool __________________ 2005 Corolla LE 1994 Accord EX (now my brother's) http://www.myspace.com/jsilbo

10-04-2008, 07:57 PM	#11 (permalink)
LeSabre 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Dec 2005 Drives: 1988 Buick LeSabre(4dr) Goes by the name Katherine Posts: 2,283	Re: GMI Asks: Keep Impala FWD, Take RWD, Kill? I get the impression that the 1st option(Rebadge the next-gen Commodore as Impala) on the poll makes it sound like it would be basically a blatant rebadge(just like the Pontiac G8) should the next gen. Impala be moved to RWD on the same platform as the Holden Commodore. This is a bad idea to blatant rebadge the Impala w/just changing the front/rear fascias as GM did w/the G8. I have yet to vote. I would vote to change the Impala back to RWD. but I can not vote that way w/how it is written in the poll for this option as it gives me the above impression. GM plainly blatant rebadges there cars from one division to another too much & too cheaply. GM cutting corners like this is just bad overall & bad for the other brands identities that get these blatant rebadges. Not just nationally, but on a global scale as well. __________________ It is time for Rick Wagoner to get his ridiculously outrageous severance package & hit the door! Also take that no good Board of Directors w/you! ....& good riddance!!!

10-04-2008, 09:03 PM	#12 (permalink)
schmallz 3.9 Liter V6 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Del Mar/Rancho Santa Fe(San Diego),CA Drives: 2000 Mustang GT Posts: 776	Re: GMI Asks: Keep Impala FWD, Take RWD, Kill? GM would be nuts to abandon the FWD Full Size Market. Avalon and Taurus ain't going anywhere. I say keep Impala FWD, and all other chevys(Except Camaro and Corvette of course) Can Lambda be used for this? If so i would put the Impala on it and give Buick a version of the platform, not the car, for the next Lucerne. Then allow Pontiac and Cadillac to share a Zeta Platform for a Full Size RWD car. But Cadillac has the premium version. With a line up like that GM could have 4 Full Size models that do not step on each others shoes. __________________ The best thing to do in a car, short of sex, is to go faster then everyone else on the road. Myspace... http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...endid=18815067 Last edited by schmallz : 10-04-2008 at 09:07 PM.

10-04-2008, 10:29 PM	#14 (permalink)
GMCSonoma GMI Fixed Ops Contributor Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 8,939	Re: GMI Asks: Keep Impala FWD, Take RWD, Kill? If Pontiac fades away as planned, Chevy should have BOTH...Impala FWD, revive the Caprice as RWD...solved. Our sales people state many potential customers come in all excited over the new "Grand Prix replacement", as they relate the G8 despite sales telling them it is all new, people love the car & the until they find out it's RWD...then they look at a LaCrosse or Impala, or they leave for a Camry! __________________ certified GM Dealer Parts Manager since 1994 GM Dealer Parts employee since 1987 AMC-Jeep-Renault Dealer Parts employee 1987-90 holder of many GM accredations, too numerous to list and not giving a damn!

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