By Viknesh Vijayenthiran | HighGearMedia.com, Published: April 5
Chevrolet has introduced a brand new Impala at the 2012 New York Auto Show, further advancing the total transformation of the automaker’s passenger car lineup with technologically advanced and fuel efficient models.
In fact, with the introduction of the new Impala, which comes on the market next year as a 2014 model, Chevrolet has revamped nearly every passenger car in its lineup over the past two years.
The car adopts Chevy’s new styling language, which also appears on the 2013 Traverse and will soon feature on more models wearing the bowtie.
Under the rather pretty sheet metal is a stretched Epsilon II platform, the same front-wheel drive platform underpinning the 2013 Cadillac XTS and in shorter form resides under the Buick Regal and LaCrosse as well as the latest Chevy Malibu.
The use of the flexible platform means designers were able to fit a variety of engines to the Impala, including a range-topping 3.6-liter V-6 with 303 horsepower, a base 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 195 horsepower, and a mid-spec 2.4-liter unit matched with GM’s eAssist supplementary electric motor and rated at 182 horsepower.
All engines feature direct-injection technology and come matched with a six-speed automatic transmission. The most fuel-efficient is expected to be the eAssist model, which Chevy claims will net up to 35 mpg on the highway.
The Impala nameplate was introduced in 1958 and has been one of Chevy’s best-selling passenger cars for decades. The new 2014 model is the 10th generation of the Impala and should continue to build on the nameplate’s strong heritage. It goes on sale early next year, and unlike the current model this one will be built alongside the Volt and Malibu at GM’s Detroit-Hamtramck manufacturing plant.
(c) 2012, High Gear Media.
