2004 Chevrolet Impala Review

Specifications

Memory-Fueled Muscle Tone

At first blush, the 2004 Chevy Impala SS looks like a Big Three sedan on steroids, which in essence, it is.

But beneath that monochromatic body beats the heart of the American muscle car and a rightful claim to direct descendancy to the muscle car that started it all more than 40 years ago.

In 1961, the Impala lost its tail fins and gained an SS option. And what an option. Featuring a 409 cubic inch V8 engine, the SS model featured upgraded tires on station wagon wheels, power brakes and steering, springs, shocks and special sintered metallic brake linings.

What was under the hood, however, mattered most, and the 61 SSs 360 horsepower mill not only launched the big machine in short order, but literally launched the muscle car revolution.

It was immortalized forever in popular culture (The Beach Boys had a hit called 409, based on the engine block size: “When I take her to the track she really shines (Giddyup, giddyup, 4-0-9); She always turns in the fastest time (Giddyup, giddyup, 4-0-9); My four-speed, dual-quad, posi-traction 4-0-9 (4-0-9, 4-0-9)Giddyup, giddyup, giddyup, 4-0-9.”).

While its unlikely the 2004 Impala SS will be immortalized in song, the brawny sedan will rekindle muscular memories for those who came of age in the 1960s.

No doubt the GM Performance Division, the team responsible for developing the new Impala SS (as well as the supercharged Monte Carlo SS) is filled with muscle car dreaming baby boomers.

True to its heritage, the Impala SS has a muscular engine under the hood, though at 240 horses the supercharged 3.8-litre V6 is much more refined than the legendary 409 ever was. It is in the torque department, however, that the 3.8-litre begins to bark. With a 280 lb-ft rating, the torque going through the Hydra-Matic four-speed automatic transmission produces drag-strip ready off-the-line acceleration. The whine of the supercharger doesnt hurt either, with a nice retro touch being the boost gauge in the six-dial cluster.

The cars ride and handling is solid, though I did find the front end a little too stiff over some bumps. Unlike the seat-of-your-pants driving characteristics of 60s muscle cars, this 21st century version has all the high-tech wizardry designed to make driving a much more civilized experience. Electronic traction control, power-assisted braking with ABS, and beefy suspension components add to SS handling package, as do the 17-inch Goodyear W-rated tires mounted on diamond-cut cast aluminum rims.

Inside, the SS theme is carried over with door-panel and floor mat badging, a racing-inspired gauge cluster and big bucket seats. And the great thing about this sportster, unlike say a Porsche Boxster, is there is plenty of room for your golfing buddies and their clubs. The back seat bench offers more than enough legroom, and three adults can fit comfortably side-by-side.

In addition to being very spacious the SS has all the features youd expect to find in a high-end sedan, including heated seats, steering wheel-mounted cruise and audio controls and a very good CD stereo system. Interior noise is kept to a minimum, pretty impressive considering the 90-inch supercharger is mounted just a few feet away.

All in all, the 2004 Impala SS does an admirable job of keeping up the SS familys muscle car rep.