GM was doing good...

[Corey Bit Spank]

And then they have to put out this crap.



Police departments and NASCAR fans everywhere are set for a 2006 refresher for their favorite two- and four-doors. This year, Chevy is revamping the front-drive Impala/Monte Carlo, outfitting them with a trio of powertrains that will include a small-block V-8.

The Impala is the more radically improved of the two. The four-door, last retouched in 2000, has been recast as a more sophisticated sedan with a neatly arched roofline and a familial resemblance borne through its grille. Inside the look is vastly more refined than the last-generation car, with a broad dash panel integrated with better-drawn instruments, higher-quality switchgear, even a line-in port for iPods to mate up to the new audio systems. The Impala’s seats have made their concession to the SUV era as well, with a flip-fold feature that opens a flat load floor from the trunk to the back of the front seats. The rear seats seem to have far more support than prior editions, too.

The Monte Carlo has been streamlined for a cleaner appearance. A distinctive front-end appearance and a new bumper cut its overall length by a little more than an inch, but the NASCAR silhouette remains largely the same. The interior gets new instruments and a new center stack as well, and a new spoiler rides on the decklid.

But it’s the powertrains that most readers and enthusiasts will scan for – and it’s the return of the small-block V-8 to the front-drivers that is most surprising. The base engine in both cars is a 3.5-liter V-6 with 210 hp and 220 lb-ft of torque; an uplevel 240-hp, 3.9-liter V-6 is a version of the smaller engine. The 303-hp V-8 is a newly engineered version of GM’s 5.3-liter, outfitted with Displacement on Demand technology that shuts off cylinders to increase fuel economy up to 12 percent, and designed for use in front-drive vehicles. It appears in SS models.

A four-speed automatic is standard on both cars on all trim levels. Revised suspension packages and new sets of 16-, 17-, and 18-inch wheels appear in various trim packages on both cars.

Other new features added to the cars includes an optional remote vehicle start system, steering wheel radio controls, and new audio systems that include XM radio, MP3 capability and in-dash CD changers. Side curtain airbags are available on the Impala, while seat-mounted side airbags can be had on the Monte Carlo.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=7920

The "Impala" is well...ok. The monte carlo is sad. The current one is ugly and this one has a good looking front end on the same ugly car.

I don't get the V8 stuff. I think it's just because Chrysler has the V8's in their large sedans so GM thinks they need them too.

[Setec Astronomy]

Yeah, I saw the Impala pics in a car mag the other day...I was...unimpressed. They have taken the (cough) wonderful look of the Malibu and impressed it onto these. Too bad, because the Impala was pretty good looking the way it was...although there wasn't much they could have done to the Monte to make it worse...

Part of this, of course, is just us being used to certain shapes, and not liking change. If I like a car, and they change it, I always hope the new shape will grow on me after a while. On the other hand, GM Styling is also responsible for the Pontiac Aztec...

[White95Max]

I don't mind that Impala design except for the front end. I don't like the rims on either car. They're too boring.

I also like the Displacement on Demand idea. I'm glad the car manufacturers are starting to realize that they need to do something about the consumption of limited resources.

[Setec Astronomy]

Originally posted by White95Max
I also like the Displacement on Demand idea. I'm glad the car manufacturers are starting to realize that they need to do something about the consumption of limited resources.

Now if we could only do something about the consumption of UPP... Just kidding Maxy...glad you only had one scratch on the trunk!

[lbls1]

Ohhh you've seen it too. I give up on them!!! Look at the new charger/magnum coming up! Its gonna come in a 2 door too!

The only reason I approve of the impala's styling is because it is different than the previous one. No originality whatsoever. It is a cross between an accord, a civic, and a maxima.

Worse still, they are mounting the v8 sideways. Very poor judgement IMO. The v8 will definitely be underutilized in this platform. Honestly, their current v6 platform was at home up front (It just could not live up to the 'SS legacy). FWD is ideal for compact engines bc the weight transfer and lower torque will distribute far better than a front heavy fwd with a v8. The v8 up front concept isn't new either. Olds was the pioneer with this concept, and cadillac has been soldiering this platform for years now. With the v8 up front, they will not have the handling prowess of a typical rwd 8 cylinder car. BMW, Infinity, and Mercedes have been handily outclassing the cadillac (despite its northstar) in almost every performance category, and this is not speaking of the M or AMG series.

Daimler Chrysler is eagerly playing with their newfound platform as GM is getting these poorly conceived designs ready for market. I can only be but so eager for GM; I cannot hide my displeasure or make more excuses for their anemic approach to design and execution as of late. Give me the Hemi!

EDIT: GM needs a clean break from the watered down legends that they are desperately clinging to. GM needs new ideas, newer designs, and more enthusiastic design output. Retire the 'SS legacy before it becomes an irreversible mockery!

[paco]

I actually quite like the Impala but I haven't seen it in person so it's a bit difficult to say. The Audi A4 type rims have to go though.

As for the Monte Carlo, can't say I've been a fan of the latest design of it anyway so the tweaked version doesn't make a difference for me.

Personally, I can't stand Chrysler's design direction so I'm somewhat happy to see GM stay conservative to a certain extent but at the end of the day, their entire product line (except Caddy and the Vette) need a serious looking at.

I use to a be a hardcore GM guy and now I can not even imagine buying a Big 3 car ever again.

[White95Max]

Originally posted by Setec Astronomy
Now if we could only do something about the consumption of UPP... Just kidding Maxy...glad you only had one scratch on the trunk!

I can't help you there. I'm a heavy consumer of UPP and I don't see a way to cut back.

I was quite glad to find only one scratch. It was on the spoiler not the trunk.
Unfortunately I went back out later with my huge spotlight and found many more...all on the spoiler. None on the trunklid.
Oh well... Can't keep the paint scratch-free forever.

[Setec Astronomy]

Originally posted by lbls1

The v8 up front concept isn't new either. Olds was the pioneer with this concept, and cadillac has been soldiering this platform for years now.

This isn't really correct. Olds may have pioneered the V8/FWD concept in the late 60's with the original Toronado, followed by a Caddy version (Eldorado), and in '79, the Buick Riviera joined as a platform member, but all of these were North/South engine configurations.

The first transverse V8/FWD application by GM was Cadillac in...the 80's (I'm sure someone will pin this down for me). As you noted Cadillac has had a monopoly at GM on the transverse V8/FWD until recently with the Bonneville GXP, forthcoming Grand Prix GXP(?), and now these Chevy's.

[lbls1]

You are right. I didn't necessarily pay attention to the engine configuration in my fury!

BTW it was Chevy Citation (1979 intro as an '80) that had the first GM transverse. The caddy's fwd came in 1980....................I think....

Citation...with an 8?? Did I say that?....skip it!

[wblynch]

New Impala looks like a Camry.

Did anyone notice that the new Chevrolet Equinox has an engine made in China?

I guess the American car / Foreign car thing has melted away to become meaningless now.

[Setec Astronomy]

Originally posted by White95Max

Unfortunately I went back out later with my huge spotlight and found many more...all on the spoiler. None on the trunklid.
Oh well... Can't keep the paint scratch-free forever.

Good attitude! I find the "they don't stay new forever" line works best when you're talking about someone else's car, so I'm impressed with your stoicism!

PS Corey/Mods...I promise not to take this thread off-topic any further

[White95Max]

Well it will be scratch-free again in a couple months.
Nobody is expected to have a perfect car during winter in the snowbelt.