Automotive Showcase
2006 Impala: A classic look without feeling too gaudy
Fri Mar 3 2006
By Michael Clark
The Winnipeg Free Press www.winnipegfreepress.com
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UH-oh. I think I might be turning into my Dad.
It starts as small things. Facial expressions, mimicking body language, even how we fall asleep in front of the TV. I wonder if my daughter is doing the old mirror-under-the-nose check that her Uncle Chris and I would perform on Papa Larry.
What I'm a little concerned about is whether or not my Larry-isms will lead to similar transportation decisions. Case in point; Larry traded in the ultra-cool '65 Ford Galaxie 500 XL two-door hardtop in '76 for a '74 Pontiac Catalina. A sensible family decision, considering that the Ford didn't have rear seat belts. (Wow! They did love us after all!)
Fast forward to 2006. While I'm not signing lease papers on this week's press car, I can't help but notice the parallels. In my garage sits my beloved Supra, with a rear seat best reserved for empty fast food bags. In the driveway is a 2006 Chevy Impala LS. The next logical progression. Excuse me, I think there's something in my eye. For many, the next logical progression for the family truckster has two sliding doors and a cornucopia of cup holders. The full-size four-door sedan has become more of a study in driving history, evidenced by the historical vintage of those who drive them. And yet, that old Catalina could swallow a week's worth of supplies for Bird Lake, even accommodating a full-size cooler that acted as a buffer zone between the siblings. The new Impala could bring back the four door to the suburban driveway, and not just for grandparental visits. The current boom is a car with room, as evidenced by such new-age behemoths as the Chrysler 300 and Toyota Avalon.
The LS trim level is the bargain basement for Impalas, with an MSRP just under 25K. Creature comforts are in ample supply. Full power group, cruise control, CD stereo with auxiliary input, and A/C are all standard equipment. The driver's seat has a manual lumbar support in addition to eight-way power articulation. It's downright refreshing to have a column-mounted lever to tilt the wheel, as opposed to fumbling underneath for some form of clamp. The only weirdness in the cabin is the lack of a standard 60/40 folding rear seat, and the placement of the e-brake pedal. It looks destined to snag the pants and shoelaces of unsuspecting drivers. Even without a pass-through, the trunk is cavernous.
While I'm still not enthralled with GM's interior plastics, there are genuine improvements to fit and finish. Previous products seemed to have built-in wiggles and gaps.
Controls are well-placed and easy to actuate, however the HVAC knobs need more of a tactile "you are here" feel. The woodgrain touches give a classic look without feeling too gaudy. Not that there's anything gaudy in 2006 about naming a car after a lion's Serengeti snack pack. The exterior refresh has dispensed with the retro look, and not a moment too soon. Leave that challenge for the likes of the Camaro concept. Besides, any bowtie fan knows that Impalas had three tail lights a side, not two. GM's venerable 60 degree pushrod V6 has been running longer than the original Law and Order series. The original 2.8-litre displacement has grown to 3.5. Horsepower is up to 211, while torque output sits at 214 ft-lbs. This isn't another revamped plastic engine cover; the only part that is shared with previous generations are the valve lifters. The block casting and cylinder heads are completely new. An electronically controlled 4-speed automatic handles the shift requests.
Review Continues Here: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/autos/story/3358737p-3887141c.html
![Image]()
2006 Impala: A classic look without feeling too gaudy
Fri Mar 3 2006
By Michael Clark
The Winnipeg Free Press www.winnipegfreepress.com
UH-oh. I think I might be turning into my Dad.
It starts as small things. Facial expressions, mimicking body language, even how we fall asleep in front of the TV. I wonder if my daughter is doing the old mirror-under-the-nose check that her Uncle Chris and I would perform on Papa Larry.
What I'm a little concerned about is whether or not my Larry-isms will lead to similar transportation decisions. Case in point; Larry traded in the ultra-cool '65 Ford Galaxie 500 XL two-door hardtop in '76 for a '74 Pontiac Catalina. A sensible family decision, considering that the Ford didn't have rear seat belts. (Wow! They did love us after all!)
Fast forward to 2006. While I'm not signing lease papers on this week's press car, I can't help but notice the parallels. In my garage sits my beloved Supra, with a rear seat best reserved for empty fast food bags. In the driveway is a 2006 Chevy Impala LS. The next logical progression. Excuse me, I think there's something in my eye. For many, the next logical progression for the family truckster has two sliding doors and a cornucopia of cup holders. The full-size four-door sedan has become more of a study in driving history, evidenced by the historical vintage of those who drive them. And yet, that old Catalina could swallow a week's worth of supplies for Bird Lake, even accommodating a full-size cooler that acted as a buffer zone between the siblings. The new Impala could bring back the four door to the suburban driveway, and not just for grandparental visits. The current boom is a car with room, as evidenced by such new-age behemoths as the Chrysler 300 and Toyota Avalon.
The LS trim level is the bargain basement for Impalas, with an MSRP just under 25K. Creature comforts are in ample supply. Full power group, cruise control, CD stereo with auxiliary input, and A/C are all standard equipment. The driver's seat has a manual lumbar support in addition to eight-way power articulation. It's downright refreshing to have a column-mounted lever to tilt the wheel, as opposed to fumbling underneath for some form of clamp. The only weirdness in the cabin is the lack of a standard 60/40 folding rear seat, and the placement of the e-brake pedal. It looks destined to snag the pants and shoelaces of unsuspecting drivers. Even without a pass-through, the trunk is cavernous.
While I'm still not enthralled with GM's interior plastics, there are genuine improvements to fit and finish. Previous products seemed to have built-in wiggles and gaps.
Controls are well-placed and easy to actuate, however the HVAC knobs need more of a tactile "you are here" feel. The woodgrain touches give a classic look without feeling too gaudy. Not that there's anything gaudy in 2006 about naming a car after a lion's Serengeti snack pack. The exterior refresh has dispensed with the retro look, and not a moment too soon. Leave that challenge for the likes of the Camaro concept. Besides, any bowtie fan knows that Impalas had three tail lights a side, not two. GM's venerable 60 degree pushrod V6 has been running longer than the original Law and Order series. The original 2.8-litre displacement has grown to 3.5. Horsepower is up to 211, while torque output sits at 214 ft-lbs. This isn't another revamped plastic engine cover; the only part that is shared with previous generations are the valve lifters. The block casting and cylinder heads are completely new. An electronically controlled 4-speed automatic handles the shift requests.
Review Continues Here: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/autos/story/3358737p-3887141c.html
