That's a huge mistake...

 

All things being equal, I'd love to have AWD as an option, but I certainly don't think GM not offering it is a huge mistake. This car will not turn into a sales and financial failure just because it doesn't have AWD. Now, if it was RWD based, I could see AWD as being more important. (many, many people who live in the norther part of the country will not buy a RWD car but they will buy FWD or AWD.)

 

For once I would like for GM to do the right thing and not force the customer to compromise......at a reasonable price point.

Seriously GM: WTF is your problem? Kill another brand if you need to, it seems like you still have that problem.

 

Agreed. Living in a mostly non-snow country, I just cant understand how developed, snow covered nations go without an AWD option for a potentially popular car.

 

I think it is a major mistake to not offer awd in the Impala. Such a set-up would give the Impala the perceived ability to handle any type of weather and driving conditions and would go a long way to justify the likely high price.

 

Some what upset about no AWD option but on the other hand its better that way. This way the "higher priced" vehicles with the platform have the AWD option thus the Impala can be in a lower price bracket compared to them. Not saying bargin basement but they can go for different clientel. Personally i'd own any of the 3 sedans, in FWD only would be alright though AWD for PA would be nice.

hat i'm wondering is why is this going to be in the area of 35 mpg with the eassist system when the LaCrosse gets 36 and the Malibu (know diff chasis) gets 37? I've heard of differentiating but cars of similar size and probably weight with same power train all getting different mpg?

I'm going to assume LaCrosse is getting a refresh for 2014 or 15 so that it has this tech as well since all 3 sedans share the same chasis but now only 2 of them have al the latest tech.

 

I have gone through Rear, Front, and AWD vehicles. I can honestly say, I can't go back to non AWD. Its just too great here in the snow belt. If they truely want this car to be a winner, it should offer AWD, and just change that steering wheel.

Again, if they are used to the current gen FWD Impala selling so well and it doesn't have AWD, I guess they have no reason to offer AWD.

 

With all due respect, Queens, NY is not the snow belt!

I have owned, RWd, FWD and AWD. My current car is AWD (RWD chassis) and my wife's car is a FWD. The only time my car has a significant advantage over hers is:

1. When going uphill on ice

2. When parallel parking on a snow bank.

Problem 1 can be mitigated by snow tires, and depends largely on where you live.

Problem 2 can be avoided by not entering snow banks front first, and carrying a shovel in your car.

For the vast majority of people in the snow belt, FWD is enough. The only reason to get an AWD car is if the base car is RWD (i.e. the ATS or 3 series).

 

Chevrolet states that all-wheel drive is a very slim piece of the full-size sedan market, which is why they do not have plans to offer it in the Impala...

...Within the full-size sedan segment, the Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger and Ford Taurus all offer optional all-wheel drive. The Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon do not offer all-wheel drive.

Okay, half the full size sedan market is a very slim piece?

C'mon GM.

 

I have a different interpretation. While, half of the full size sedan models may offer AWD, only a small percentage actually order AWD. Maybe it's 10% or so. Likely less than 20%.

 

You know what it is? I feel like GM is trying to keep the LaCrosse justified right now.

 

Agree to an extent. Still holding out for an AWD Impala SS.

 

I am pretty let down by this. The front is terrible, weak and lazy!

 

It would almost appear that GM is purposely keeping AWD off of the option list, to distance it from the LaCrosse. In other words, want a large AWD GM car, pay more money for it.

Does GM have a price ceiling for Chevy??

If this is the case, how dumb. To dumb down your volume offering is incredibly short sighted. No AWD in Malibu and no AWD in Impala. Want an AWD Chevy car................. sorry, go elsewhere.

LOL, you guys posted while I was typing.

 

And once again, Buick holds down Chevrolet. Once again, General Motors penalizes the brand that IS the company solely to help rebuild a brand that should have been dead 10 years ago.

 

Well I certainly disagree that Buick should be dead, today or a decade ago. But GM badly needs to stop treating all cars from all brands as part of just one group.

 

What is the take-rate of AWD on the others in the segment that offer it?

 

The only thing I was able to find is 20% on Fusion. I couldn't find numbers on the Taurus, but every SHO is AWD. I did find that 50% of CTS's were AWD, and 72% of MKT's are.

Here in AZ, about half of the Audi's that you see are Quattro, but in CO, pretty much all are. I think GM is really limiting their market, especially since this car is going upmarket so much. The development costs have been covered by the LaCrosse and the XTS. Thus, it would cost next to nothing to offer it in the Impala.

This is why the Fusion and Taurus have it.................... because their platform mates already paid for the development costs.

 

Things like this make me worry more for what will happen with the Silverado. It is looking like Chevrolet will be GM's dumbed down brand.

If cars are differentiated enough, and are made to appeal to different types of folks, certain features should be available on all of them....................... especially a feature that could push a customer into a different brand, and we are not talking a GM one. While thinking you will just make your customer buy a Buick, there is nothing to keep them from buying a Ford or Chrysler.

 

I think you'll find they are referring to how many units are sold in the full size market equipped with AWD. It's great to have the option, but there are plenty of other AWD products available. The development cost (whilst shouldn't have been too substantial considering the stable mates), is still a penny earned by not having to spend it. That should ring true when the price comes out in comparison against the more expensive relatives. JMO

 

Old GM lives on

 

You don't get it. Chevrolet is the epitome of New GM. Chevrolet is Toyota, hitting right in the sweet spot of the bell curve where most consumers fall, not catering to every Tom, **** and Harry out there screaming about how their Impala needs AWD.

 

What is the percentage of vehicles in this segment that is AWD?

 

Holy cow. The Cruze is beautiful and a killer car. The Malibu for 2013 is like a Cruze with Muscles! The new Impala looks like the new VW. BORING. WTH?! Boy, they sure talked a lot of noise about how great it was going to be. FAIL.

 

I agree with some comments - it seems short sighted - the cost cannot be the barrier - they already offer the AWD chassis on other brands.

Make AWD a cost option (obviously), I mean load it & charge a premium price (for a Chev).

If it's not a huge seller no skin off the nose- low cost (comparatively with a shared platform) low risk.

Seems GM are still scared of failure.

 

Well if no AWD, I guess it's the Taurus for me.
GM come on, people in the snow belt want AWD.

 

GM offers the Buick LaCrosse in AWD.

 

If you were shopping for an AWD large sedan, would you consider the Impala if it had AWD?
If you were a loyal Impala customer, would you drop the impala from your list if you would be looking for a replacement of your 'old' Impala, if it's not offering AWD?

I don't think GM is making such a big mistake dropping the AWD option for the Impala.

BTW I didn't even know the Chrysler 300 had AWD as option...

 

GM makes dumb decision regarding Chevrolet or Cadillac...

Let's blame Buick!!!!!

Ya know Buick makes all the decisions at GM.

 

I laughed. Thank you!

Everyone crying about "not limiting brands" or using idiotic phrases like "dumbed down" seem to want Old GM product overlap. I don't get it.

The current Impala is the BEST-SELLING CAR IN ITS SEGMENT, BY FAR. Not only is it FWD-only, it's V6-only and on a 25 year-old W-body platform.

The new Impala gets a wide range of engines, a new platform, inspired styling, state-of-the-art technology, and best-ever fuel economy. The lack of AWD isn't going to hinder this car much, if at all.

If 90% of the large sedan market is not AWD, why does GM need to offer TWO options for the remaining 10%? Why isn't one enough? They aren't Chrysler. The alternative with the Impala isn't RWD, it's FWD.

Then again, let's all complain about vehicle complexity, weight, and cost while at the same time screaming and yelling that GM is stupid for not offering AWD - which adds weight, complexity, and cost.

It's also worth noting that an AWD Impala would require unique tooling at D-Ham, where it'll be built. It's not being built alongside the AWD XTS at Oshawa. It's not being built alongside the AWD LaCrosse at Fairfax, either.

GM probably sees the cost of the extra tooling at a FWD-only plant, the cost of keeping extra part stocks and introducing more production complexity at a plant that's already building 2 different platforms, and doesn't see the point in offering AWD. Especially since it'd be to the same 10% of the market that's reasonably covered by another GM brand offering a car on this same platform with AWD.

 

If I were GM and this far out from the Impala on sale, with the XTS on sale coming up, even if I planned to offer AWD in Impala I would lie and say I wasn't. This would help XTS initial sales. Also LaCrosse sales of AWD could be negatively impacted if people were waiting for an AWD Impala. Later the Updated LaCrosse can fend for itself with a fresh look and upgrades after GM miraculously changes it's mind about AWD for Impala....

 

If I were GM and this far out from the Impala on sale, with the XTS on sale coming up, even if I planned to offer AWD in Impala I would lie and say I wasn't. This would help XTS initial sales. Also LaCrosse sales of AWD could be negatively impacted if people were waiting for an AWD Impala. Later the Updated LaCrosse can fend for itself with a fresh look and upgrades after GM miraculously changes it's mind about AWD for Impala....

Agreed. AWD in this car not only hurts LaCrosse, it hurts XTS and CTS. People who look for AWD really don't care about FWD/RWD architecture in my experience. This interior is better than CTS. I would expect the materials to be better than CTS. Both CTS and LaCrosse interiors were designed pre-BK / in-BK and it shows (materials).

That is the problem for GM right now: you have pre-BK cars with nasty interiors (old Impala), new cars introduced at BK with good designs and mediocre materials (CTS, Camaro, GMT900), and then you have cars like this, which have better design and better materials than other, more expensive (profitable) cars GM will carry for another 2-3 years before their redesign.

I would like to see AWD in the Impala too, but if it happens, it won't until the CTS redesign comes out.

 

First it was the hideously repulsive steering wheel. Next was the cheap looking dashboard. Now it's no all wheel drive. UGH!!! Fine GM, I can take a hint... If you (GM) really want me to purchase an all wheel drive Ford Fusion, I guess I'll be happy to oblidge! Seriously though in regards to the awd, if they feel they won't sell enough of them to make economic sense, well, I can respect that. I just really want awd on my next car.

 

How about a CTS4?

 

I can see the logic of not offering a Super Sport option with the impending/rumored Commodore/Caprice/Chevelle coming, but no AWD option at all?

This is definitely a WTF moment.

 

That the Impala is going to be FWD only is really not much of a concern. Chevy has 2 AWD crossover platforms to address the needs of snowy winter driving, and both do it better than an AWD Impala would due to greater ground clearance. The Impala should however offer a "foul wrather package" which includes a Torsen type front diff which would provide about 75/80 percent of the AWD advantages at much lower cost, The idea of enhanced capability at lower cost is what "Chevy" is all about.
My problem with the decision not ot include AWD is the loss of space efficency and the cost associlted with a rear suspension that was designed for driven wheels. Since AWD was not intended they could have utilized a much more space efficent rear suspension, something like the Z link Cruze design saving money and adding trunk capacity.

 

I don't think this a big deal. AWd doesn't sell in big numbers.