The Chevrolet Impala is a full-size automobile built by the Chevrolet division of General Motors. The Impala became the best-selling automobile in the United States when full size models dominated the market and competed against the Ford Galaxie 500 and the Plymouth Fury. From 1958 until 1965, it was Chevrolet's most expensive passenger model. After reaching its sales peak, Chevrolet introduced the Caprice in 1965. The Impala was then positioned down one trim level but still above the economical models Bel Air and Biscayne, and remained the most popular full size Chevrolet model through the mid-eighties. The Impala, named after the southern African antelope, is most readily distinguished by having three sets of taillights featured for many years. The Impala SS nameplate was introduced in 1961 and continued through 1969; was revived in 1994 through 1996, and revived again for the 2004-2009 model years. The Impala nameplate is currently being used for the front-wheel-drive model since 2000.
The 2006 Impala was introduced at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show. Like the Buick LaCrosse, this model uses the updated GM W platform. The base engine is a 3.5 liter (214 cu in) V6 producing 211 horsepower (157 kW). The new Impala features new taillights, different from the four-circle style of the previous generation. The most notable news about the model, though, is the SS model's use of the Generation IV small-block V8 in a front-wheel drive Chevrolet for the first time, and the first V8 in a Chevrolet sedan since the 1996 Caprice: the new 5.3 liter (325 cu in) V8 (with Displacement on Demand, now called Active Fuel Management or AFM) produces 303 horsepower (226 kW).With the use of the 5.3 liter LS4 V8, the Impala SS is capable of a 5.6 second 0–60-mile-per-hour (0–97 km/h) time and a quarter-mile time of 14.2 seconds traveling at 101 miles per hour (163 km/h). The car is 200.4 inches (5,091 mm) long, 58.7 inches (1,491 mm) high, and 72.9 inches (1,851 mm) wide. Available trim levels are LS, LT, LTZ and the aforementioned SS. LS became the base model. 6-passenger seating was only available as an option on the LS and LT models. Leather upholstery was standard on LTZ models and optional on LT models. The interior has been completely redesigned. The 2006 Impala featured a wood trim center console with chrome accents on all major control buttons. The dashboard featured a chrome Impala logo embedded in the wood grain trim that runs across the front of the vehicle and onto the doors. The new control knobs found throughout the vehicle's cockpit are similar to those found in the new Buick models as well as the Cadillac DTS, all of which feature a similar center console. Another interior revision is the location of the cupholders, which are now concealed beneath the mid-section of the vehicle's center console. In 2007, the Impala received the FlexFuel 3.5-liter V-6 and Flex Fuel rear badge for the LS, LT, LTZ, 9C1 and 9C3 models. A new 3.9-liter V-6 with Active Fuel Management was available. The SS retained the same drivetrain and did not receive the FlexFuel feature due to the high performance nature of the powertrain. A tire-pressure-monitoring system, cruise control and a CD player were standard on all models, and a factory spoiler was an available option. The LT had 16-inch, 5-spoke alloy wheels. The generation-7 OnStar system with turn-by-turn navigation was included when the available directions & connections service was selected. The SS had standard leather-appointed seats and XM Satellite Radio, with XM being optional on LS, LT, and LTZ trims. There were four new exterior colors—Precisions Red, Imperial Blue Metallic, Bordeaux Red, and Red Jewel Tintcoat, as well as a Regency-outfitted "Impala RSS". The RSS included aggressive rims, front/rear bumper and rocker panel extensions, a BMW M-inspired spoiler and various interior upgrades. The police sedans received the FlexFuel feature to compete against the Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, which also received a similar feature allowing it to utilize E85. Also updated were the 9C1 & 9C3 trim levels for the Police Package models, which did not have the civilian SS's 303 horsepower (226 kW) V8 engine, but used the 3.9 liter (237 cu in) V6. The reason being the Police Sedans utilized the SS radiator and cooling system as an upgrade from the standard 3.9 liter engine (used in the Impala LTZ). GM did not wish to design a specific radiator and cooling system to equip a low-production V8 police vehicle. Also, the heavy-duty steel wheels were not redesigned, and as such, the Police Sedan used the original center caps or the older style wheel covers. The 9C1 and 9C3 were equipped with an external trunk lock tumbler. Neither feature was available for the civilian version of the car. The 9C1 and 9C3 police models had aluminized interior trim instead of the standard wood grain. For the 2009 model year, the Impala received three new exterior colors: Victory Red, Silver Ice Metallic, and Aqua Blue Metallic. The brushed aluminum dash applique was no longer available, and 9C1 and 9C3 police models switched to the metallic silver trim from the SS models. All models used the previous SS style spoiler (actually phased in for the late 2008 model year). Leather seating was no longer available in combination with the 40/20/40 split bench front seat. The Active Fuel Management feature remained on the 5.3L V8 for the SS model, but was no longer available on 3.9L V6 for the LT and LTZ models. A sun and wheel package was available on 1LT models included power sunroof, overhead console with Homelink and 17" aluminum wheels. Thorax side-impact air bags were standard.Ninth generation (2006–present)
Production 2005–present Model year(s) 2006–present Assembly Oshawa, Ontario, Canada Body style(s) 4-door sedan Layout FF layout Platform W-body 3rd Gen Engine(s) 3.5 L (214 cu in) LZE V6
5.3 L (325 cu in) LS4 V8Transmission(s) 4-speed 4T65E automatic Wheelbase 110.5 in (2,807 mm) Length 200.4 in (5,091 mm) Width 72.9 in (1,851 mm) Height 58.7 in (1,491 mm) Curb weight 3,764 lb (1,707 kg) Related Buick LaCrosse/Allure
Pontiac Grand Prix
To commemorate the Impala's 50th year, a 50th Anniversary Edition was introduced in Spring 2008. Based on the LT, it added: FE3 Sport Suspension (replacing the FE1 Touring Suspension), four-wheel ABS, eighteen-inch SS-style alloy wheels (replacing the 16-inch wheels), rear SS style spoiler , "50th Anniversary" Impala badges on the C-pillars, two-tone, leather-trimmed seats with "50th" logos embroidered on the front headrests, eight-way power-adjustable driver seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel with accent-color threading including audio controls, ebony carpet, ebony floor mats with accent threading, "50th" Anniversary emblems on the sill plates and a choice of two premium exterior colors: Black Granite Metallic and Red Jewel Tintcoat
For the 2010 model year, the Impala is the only GM W-body car in production. The eight-cylinder SS model has been discontinued. LT models now include fog lights. The 3.9L V6 is no longer available for the LT model. Three new exterior colors are available: Summit White, Cyber Gray Metallic, and Aqua Blue Metallic. Four exterior colors have been deleted. The (PDG) convenience package, AM/FM stereo with 6-disc in-dash CD changer, and trunk cargo net are no longer available. The Impala emblems on rear sail panels as well as the rear decklid badge on LS models have been deleted. Early '10 models had the lower front-side GM badges but were also later deleted.
