I also was looking at the Chevy lineup and they really are doing their thing. This new Imapla looks quite impressive coming from GM!

2006 Chevrolet Impala

Base engine: 3.5-liter V-6
Horsepower: 210
Height: 58.7 inches
Width: 72.9 inches
Length: 200.4 inches
Curb weight: not determined
What the automaker says:"The '06 Impala and Monte Carlo wear a new look, both inside and out, that conveys sophistication and exudes big-car roominess."
What you should know: Chevy woos fans of big power with an optional 303-hp, 5.3-liter V-8 in it's mid-sized cars.
Production possibility: Production starts next summer

os Angeles, California - The 2006 Impala sedan and Monte Carlo coupe unveiled today feature revised styling inside and out, but the big news is what's under the hood: Impala SS and Monte Carlo SS receive the new LS4 5.3 litre V-8 with Displacement On Demand (DOD) technology to regulate between eight-cylinder and four-cylinder operation - providing up to 12 percent improved fuel economy in certain light-load driving conditions. The 5.3 litre V-8 produces 303 horsepower and 323 lb.-ft. of torque.



A new family of high-tech V-6 engines, which features cam phasing to optimize performance and economy, is standard in both vehicles, with the base models receiving a new 3.5 litre V-6 that produces 210 horsepower and 220 lb.-ft. of torque. Uplevel models are available with a 240-horsepower 3.9 litre V-6 built on the same architecture as the 3.5 litre engine.

"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," said Brent Dewar, Chevrolet general manager. "Mid-car represents the largest segment of the industry, and the '06 Impala and Monte Carlo will continue Chevy's leadership there."

The Impala SS and Monte Carlo SS models receive distinct front-end appearances separate from other models, including dual-split grilles that have a black-diamond crosshatch pattern. Monte Carlo models feature a rear decklid spoiler, with the Monte Carlo SS featuring a separate design suggestive of NASCAR-style spoilers. Impala SS and Monte Carlo SS models feature Corvette-inspired bright exhaust outlets. Impala LTZ and SS have a standard rear spoiler. A spoiler is available on the LT.



The Impala features a unique flip-and-fold rear seat. The forward-flip rear seat cushions create a covered storage area beneath the seat with cushions down and offers convenient grocery bag hooks when the cushions are flipped forward. The seat back also folds down to create a generous pass-through from the trunk when seat backs are folded flat - an exclusive feature in its segment.

The Impala also offers standard side-curtain air bags, which provide optimum head protection for outboard passengers. The side curtain air bags are mounted in the side roof rails and deploy down to the lower edge of the windows from the A-pillar to the C-pillar. The Monte Carlo offers new optional side seat-mounted air bags, which help optimize head and torso protection for the driver and front passenger.

Other new features for 2006 include:

Retuned suspensions with wider track, providing sporty, more comfortable ride
New family of 16-inch, 17-inch and 18-inch wheels and tires
Enhanced ABS and traction control
Comfortable interiors with improved seat upholstery stitching, low-gloss IP components
an all-new instrument panel design that wraps around into the door panels and has a double-hump design that is reminiscent of early Corvettes.
Nuance Sandstone leather seating (available)
New family of audio systems
Remote start optional
OnStar Gen 6 standard
Production of the 2006 Chevrolet Impala and Monte Carlo will take place at General Motors' Oshawa No. 1 plant in Ontario.

 

FWD still...?

The SS badge is getting more understandable with the V8 but 323 lb ft of torque to the front wheels? Hold on for the ride of your life.

James

 

you beat me to it, i was about to say still FWD sucks.

 

Yeah...........hit the gas and just TRY to keep it moving straight.

 

. Its FWD? That is a shame. Take off the Impala badges then. The Boneville and Grand Prix GXP have the Northstar detuned V-8 but are FWD as well. Hell the FWD TL and Maxima and ALtima have hella Torque Steer and they have V-6s. What is GM thinking?

 

The 94-96 Pala SS was perfect. Wide, low, fast, mean. Now the current one is a FWD family car and they tried to make it an SS with a blown 3,8L V6, did the same on the Monte. However, since they were FWD and the MC had NASCAR graphics I think GM realized something and made this Impala more like their SS concept car. It's really not bad looking IMO but the FWD has got to go. Do a Caddy and start it all with this Impala!

James

 

 

OOOOOOoooohhh, much better on the Monte Carlo. Nice front end.

*golf clap*

James

 

Is this thing a 4 speed? If it is its a loser.

The FWD and that 303HP will be real scary in the rain! Can we say mega-torque steer?

 

So is this confirmed FWD? What a ****ing tragedy. Guess the haven't heard of the Chrysler 300?

 

Lexus built the 1uz with only four speeds for close to a decade and the motor made less power than this one. I guess this is just GM shooting themselves in the foot as usual and trying to impress buyers with half assed attempts at new cars. The people who buy these cars can probably care less what wheel their power comes from.

 

Honestly I feel like these would have a very welcome place in the Chevrolet lineup with a V6 standard and an SS model with the 300hp V8. What they did for the Cobalt coming from the Cavalier (well what I've read, haven't ever seen one) as well as the Caddies just couldn't find its way over here? Both of these started out as great RWD, powerful cars and then they have to basterdize them to FWDers.

Thinking about it further it would probably just end up being too little too late and Chrysler has cleaned up in this segment. Screw it, why do I even expect anything to change from Chevrolet regarding cars.

James

 

Put a GTO engine in it and keep it FWD!

Jon

 

You can thank the truck and SUV craze for the demise of all of the big GM rear-drive cars, not just the Impala SS. In 1996 GM management converted the Arlington, TX plant where all of the cars were produced (Chevy, Buick, and Cadillac versions) into a truck and SUV plant to try and keep up with demand. In doing so, they not only lost the Impala SS crowd but much of the Police, limo, taxi, and some of senior citizen markets as well. The police and taxi markets bought Crown Vics, the limo firms bought Town Cars, and some of the RWD senior citizen market converted to the Grand Marquis and Town Car. Some of the former Impala SS crowd bought Marauders (a sharp-looking car), but that car never was a popular as the RWD SS. It has since also been dropped.

 

(very sad) (well, it's GM we're talking about here ...) (I guess the interior is better?)

Alright - so that's basically the range of emotions about Chevy being so retarded.

This redesign could have (and should have) been so much more.

The fact that this is not RWD or even AWD optional is just a slap in the face ... and to continue to use SS nomenclature ... sinful.

M.