Chevy Celebrates with Special Impala, Tahoe and Corvette

General Motors promises to have fireworks in store for the Detroit auto show with the launch of the new Corvette ZR-1 and Cadillac CTS-v, but that doesn’t mean it won’t have a few quieter introductions on hand as well.

The Chevrolet Impala is an institution of North American motoring. To this day, the Oshawa, Ontario-built midsize sedan sells well in its home market, racking up more than 170,000 units annually. Curiously, Chevrolet chose to ring in its 50th birthday with a celebratory model of this rather ubiquitous sedan. While some manufacturers might dress up a sportier model for such an occasion, the Impala chosen, trimmed out in fleet car guise, seems a little more like a Sunday morning parking lot special than something destined for a collector’s museum.

Power is not provided by the expected small-block-like 5.3-liter V8, but by the tested and true 3.5-liter pushrod V6 that makes 211 horsepower and 214 lb-ft of torque, an engine that can run on straight regular unleaded or E85. Next to the most basic Impala powertrain is a set of spangly new 18-inch alloy wheels plus an FE3 “sport” suspension package that’s normally found on the Impala SS. Appearance-wise, the Impala gets a rear spoiler, some special badging and a choice between metallic red or black paint. Inside, the celebration continues with two-tone leather-trimmed seats and color-coordinated carpeting.

Chevrolet will also be adding a few new upgrades to its full-size Tahoe sport utility vehicle. The big brute will now be available with the same 6.2-liter Vortec V8 as first seen in the Cadillac Escalade and the GMC Yukon Denali and Sierra Denali models. With this new engine comes a new six-speed automatic transmission, which receives two extra gears over the other automatics offered. This engine upgrade will give the Tahoe the ability to tow up to 7,900 pounds.

LTZ buyers can really be in the lap of luxury when such features as parking sensors with a rear parking camera, power folding running boards and a power fold and tumble rear seat are added. Chevrolet will also be offering a new appearance package that fits the Tahoe with 20-inch chrome-plated wheels. It’s essentially an Escalade without the Art and Science styling and the mega-dollar price tag.

And although it won’t be shown at Detroit, Chevrolet has also announced that it’ll be the brand to provide the official pace car for this year’s Indy 500 race and has conjured up a pair of Corvettes to celebrate the occasion. The pace car itself will be a Z06 Coupe that has been converted to run on E85 Ethanol. This one-off machine will feature unique paintwork, a checkered flag roof decal, and of course ethanol-capability badging. It will be driven by veteran race car driver Emerson Fittipaldi. While the public won’t be able to buy the E85-powered Z06, Chevrolet will be building 500 commemorative C6 Corvette Coupes and Roadsters with unique paintwork and celebratory badging, with each signed by Fittipaldi.