| Chevy's flagship car, the Impala, finally has the | | | | bit of a pedestrian look to them. In the highly |
| power to match its heralded name. Ever since the | | | | competitive large sedan category, this can easily |
| car was redesigned in the late 1990s, the Impala | | | | mean lost sales as the choices for similarly priced, |
| has been more of a pretender than a performer. | | | | but more aggressive looking cars is strong. All |
| Now with an optional small block 5.3L V8 added to | | | | new sheetmetal, a more assertive nose - similar |
| the mix, the 2006 Chevrolet Impala can go toe to | | | | to the Cobalt's - and updated headlights and tail |
| toe with the Chrysler 300 and the Dodge Charger. | | | | lights gives the Impala a fresh and assertive look. |
| The changes for the Impala are not all under the | | | | More Models - 6 in fact. The return of the "SS" as |
| hood, Chevy took the time to redo the entire car | | | | the signature model should help sales. SS, or |
| and they did it with care. Let's look at some of | | | | "Super Sport" is a term that was originally used |
| the changes for 2006. | | | | for the 1961 Impala and by the mid 60s came to |
| More Power - A V6 is a great engine, especially in | | | | represent each of the performance models in the |
| these times of high gas prices. Still, if you opt for | | | | fleet. The Chevelle, Nova, and Camaro all had that |
| a car of the Impala's size, at least having the | | | | designation then while the Impala, Cobalt, Malibu, |
| option of purchasing a V8 makes sense, doesn't | | | | and TrailBlazer wear it today. |
| it? You better believe it. GM has sweetened the | | | | Improved Interior - If you are going to change |
| deal by plunking in a V8 that incorporates | | | | the skin and what is found under the hood, you |
| Corvette technology as the engine heads with | | | | might as well dress up the interior, right? The LTZ |
| "their pent-roof combustion chambers and flat-top | | | | model - who the heck knows what that stands |
| pistons deliver high horsepower", this according to | | | | for - has heated front bucket seats trimmed in |
| Chevrolet's promotional material. In addition, GM's | | | | leather. Throw in 8 way power and lumbar |
| "displacement on demand" technology allows the | | | | support for the driver and you are talking top of |
| V8 to squeeze out a miserly 28 mpg on the | | | | the line comfort. On select models new "flip and |
| highway [18 mpg city] with computer equipment | | | | fold" rear seating is available; side curtain air bags |
| that shuts down unneeded cylinders at the | | | | for the front seat is standard on all Impalas; and |
| appropriate time. Cadillac tried this in the early | | | | keyless entry, power windows, tilt wheel, OnStar, |
| 1980s with its V8-6-4 engine that failed to live up | | | | cruise control, and a host of other features all |
| to the job as computing technology then wasn't | | | | come standard on the Impala. |
| what it is today. Fortunately, current GM | | | | Prices start in the low 20s {US} and climb to |
| technology makes this a reality for current | | | | nearly 30K {US} for fully loaded SS models. How |
| models. | | | | the SS sells remains to be seen, but its bold, |
| Better Looks - When it comes to "looks" beauty | | | | fresh look will certainly appeal to those who |
| is subjective. Yet, previous Impala models had a | | | | previously dismissed the Impala. |