2006 Chevrolet Impala Review

Specifications

Cleaned Up and Ready for Duty

Despite being popular among police fleet buyers and NASCAR aficionados respectively, the current Chevrolet Impala is overwhelmed by much of its competition.

GM expects its new 2006 Impala, introduced next to a revised Monte Carlo on January 5th at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, will find a much broader spectrum of buyers due to improved performance, an all-new interior and updated styling.

“The 06 Impala and Monte Carlo deliver more of what customers want from a large sedan or coupe - uncompromising roominess, but with the performance and styling of a sports car,” commented Chevrolet general manager Brent Dewar.

Chevy has cleaned up the look of both cars, with each appearing nearly identical to one another from the front. A thin, horizontal grille opening is understated, yet adds a sporty touch to what is otherwise a fairly conservative design. SS models get a racier lower valance that integrates a second horizontal grille opening, filled with a black-diamond crosshatch pattern - a treatment that mirrors that in the upper SS grille.

Both cars feature large, wrap-around headlight clusters integrating three independent lighting units each, creased to conform to the sculpted lines of the hood and front fenders. And thats about where the similarities end, with the 4-door Impala featuring more conservative sheetmetal from front to back, not unlike a cleaner looking Honda Accord.

That is especially true of the Impalas rear three-quarter view, where its triangular taillights feature a thin horizontal clear lens strip that flow towards the center to meet a classy chrome accent in LTZ trim - a really nice touch. A subtle decklid spoiler is also added in this trim level, as well as with the top-line SS. It is available with the LT.

The greenhouse features the BMW-like Hofmeister kink at the rear quarter window, first introduced on a Chevy product with the performance-oriented black-on-black 94 to 96 Impala SS.

Like the Japanese, GM has made sure its new Impala delivers extremely tight panel gap tolerances of 0.14 inches or less, adding to the feeling of quality. Its grab-style door handles offer a substantial feel, an important human-machine interface that many automakers, such as Jaguar with its loose, cheap feeling door handles, forget about.

What the new Impala will have over its Japanese rivals is engine power. While base cars will feature a new standard 3.5L V6, more powerful than the base engines from most competitors at 210-horsepower and 220 lb-ft of torque, top-line SS models will feature a V8.

The new LS4 5.3L V8, developing 303-horsepower and 323 lb-ft of torque, features GMs Displacement On Demand (DOD) technology to save on fuel. When the vehicle is under light loads, meaning it isnt coaxing a trailer or fully loaded cabin and trunk up a steep hill or isnt at full throttle, four of the engines eight cylinders go into hibernation. The system allows up to 12 percent savings in fuel, which should make a difference in the pocketbook considering todays exorbitant gasoline prices. The transition from eight to four and then four to eight cylinders is virtually seamless, and full power is available at the touch of the throttle, so its one of those rare “have your cake and eat it too” benefits.

Splitting the base and top engine choices is a 240-horsepower 3.9L V6 with 245 lb-ft of torque, based on the same architecture as the 3.5L V6.

GM combines all engines with its well-proven Hydra-Matic 4T65-E electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission, for smooth shifts and durable performance. Just the same, most rivals offer either 5- or 6-speed automatics, which have the ability to offer greater performance from less powerful engines, and improvements in fuel economy.

Power without control would be utterly wasted, so therefore GM has upgraded the Impalas suspension system to allow what the automaker refers to as “more confident ride and handling characteristics.”

Of course, the new model will ride quiet and smooth too, paramount for any large, midsize car. It gets a heavier duty front-end structure, reducing noise vibration and harshness (NVH) levels and enhancing control through corners or during emergency evasive maneuvers.

The same can be said about the results of its fully boxed upper frame rail assemblies, with a wider, deeper and structurally stronger upper front tie bar. Also, the engineers have included stronger ties between the upper and lower rails to stiffen the front structure, improving both ride and handling, while the large, lower front-of-dash panel is now stronger. It is constructed from Quiet Steel laminated steel, made by bonding sound deadening material between sheets of steel to lower resonant sound “from a clanging to a muted thud”, or so says GMs literature on the subject. The Impala gets a more rigid extruded aluminum engine cradle as well, making the cars ride smoother with less vibration.

All models receive a power rack-and-pinion steering system as standard equipment, with the base version getting a 13.3:1 steering ratio. Other upgrades include a quieter power steering pump and fluid reservoir that is said to improve performance by optimizing the hydraulic steering fluids internal flow.

The suspension is made up of a McPherson strut coil-over-spring independent front setup with gas-charged 4-valve struts and a stabilizer bar. Aiding stability are taller jounce bumpers in the front suspension. In the rear, a trailing arm, tri-link setup is used with gas-charged, 4-valve struts and coil springs. A rear stabilizer bar is standard across the line.

Over and above the two models basic suspension architecture are three separate suspension settings, each tuned specifically to match respective performance levels. Entry-level models get an FE1 suspension designation, with either 16- or 17-inch wheels on P225/60R16 Goodyear Integrity or P225/55R17 AL2 Goodyear Eagle LS2 tires, depending on whether the 3.5 or 3.9L engine is chosen.

An FE3 suspension is standard on Impala SS models, and features specially tuned struts, 34-mm hollow front and 18-mm solid rear stabilizer bars, and standard 18-inch wheels wrapped with W-rated P235/50R18 AL3 Goodyear Eagle RS-A performance tires.

On the safety front, side-curtain roof rail airbags join twin frontal dual-stage airbags as standard equipment on the Impala. The new car also features optional ABS with electronic brake force distribution to enhance the much improved standard 4-wheel disc brake system. Also available is an engine- and brake-managed full-function traction control system, especially good for colder climates.

Other safety features include front seatbelt pretentioners, a stronger front seat structure, higher intensity headlights for
greater forward visibility, a tire pressure monitoring system, standard with 17- and 18-inch wheel and tire packages, and an upgraded standard remote keyless entry fob with a new red panic button. The new fob can also include remote start with a 197 foot range, allowing the car to be started from inside your home, and heat or air conditioning actuated depending on how you left it when parked.

GM also includes OnStar Gen 6 as standard equipment, although theyd be crazy not to, as once the initial free service is discontinued it requires a small, monthly residual that can really add up to the automakers benefit. That aside, its an extremely useful service that is well worth the pocket change needed to keep it active, enhancing both vehicle safety and convenience.

Like many other new GM vehicles, the new Impala receives the automakers much improved interior quality treatment, with higher grade materials than most of its competitors, and much better fit and finish. GM has quickly moved from the back of the pack to the front in this regard.

Like many of its other sedans, the new sedan features a flexible interior too, with split-folding rear seatbacks and a truly useful flat-folding front passenger seatback, allowing long and otherwise awkward items to be stowed aboard.

Those seats, more sophisticated in design and featuring firmer cushions with increased lumbar support, come standard in a high-quality cloth or can be surfaced in top-grade Nuance Sandstone leather.

In front is an all-new instrument panel design, a far cry more attractive than the current version. The new one, which wraps
around to each front door panel, integrates a double-hump layout that Chevy says is “reminiscent of early Corvettes”. It shades the jewel-like instruments on the left side of the cabin and adds a nice styling detail in front of the front passenger, complementing the “technical-pattern” metal or wood trim, depending on whether SS or other models are chosen, that tastefully accents the lower portion of the dash and surrounding area.

Available features include dual-zone climate control, driver information center, steering wheel-mounted cruise control buttons, steering wheel radio controls, an 8-way, heated power driver seat and 6-way, heated front passenger seat available with leather trim, all adding to the upscale environment.

In addition to the many interior appointments, the Impala also receives upgraded audio systems. Three in total are available, with base models featuring a 6-speaker AM/FM/single-CD system. Moving up a notch gets the addition of an MP3 player, plus its configured for XM satellite radio. With this last feature comes a 2-line, 32-character reconfigurable display with the capability of selecting between AM, FM and XM stations without having to reset the frequency. A top-line ICDX radio is the third option, adding an in-dash 6CD changer. A premium Bose audio system is also available.

Reducing the annoyance of streaking, chatter and wind noise, new, flat-blade windshield wipers provide consistent pressure on the glass surface, which should add to the cabins improved ambiance.

So how will the new sedan fare? The Impala has always sold extremely well, especially on the fleet side of the market. Altogether, the 4-door sedan has achieved over 1 million sales since it debuted in 1999, with an increase in market share starting at 2 percent in 1999 to 8 percent in 2003.

Dewar is bullish about both the Impala and Monte Carlos sales potential, stating, “Mid-car represents the largest segment of the industry, and the 06 Impala and Monte Carlo will continue Chevys leadership there.”

Both will be built at GMs Oshawa, Ontario No. 1 plant, which has recently seen more than $350 million in upgrades. Oshawa No. 1 and No. 2 were recognized in J.D. Powers 2004 Initial Quality Survey for building two of the top five highest quality vehicles in the premium midsize segment, one of which was the Monte Carlo. This continues a yearly winning trend that started in 1999, when the new cars debuted.

In the end, the new Impala will no doubt yet again be fodder for police fleets around the country, but at least now well know our various cities finest will be safer and more comfortable as theyre using V8 power to catch us doing ten over on the expressway.

Now that it has been updated, there will be a greater number of regular folks stepping up to purchase the Chevy sedan too, each enjoying the power its un-intimidating grille incorporates in slowing surrounding traffic down to a grind as it passes by, a move that accompanies quick glances to the Impalas drivers seat from those getting passed, eyes straining to see an officers patch on the shoulder. In a sick and twisted way, it is kind of fun.