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Looking good on paper: the next Chevy Impala?
We've featured Chris Pauwels' outstanding work on Autoblog before, and he's at it again, having sketched out what he believes the upcoming Impala will look like when all is said and done. Based on rumors and inside information he and the good folks at TheGMSource.com were able to dig up, Pauwels' sketch shows a lot of new Camaro in the front end, and a rear that features three stacked taillights on each side, à la the '67 model, albeit with a modern twist.
We can also report that Pauwels' sketch is in keeping with information Autoblog has heard from its own sources. Incidentally, we've also heard that there are supposedly two other designs floating around, including one a that depicts more a "straight retro" '67 homage.
If the final car looks anything like Pauwels' sketch, we'll be pleased. A modern sedan with a few retro touches and a Camaro-esque face is something we'd take in a heartbeat.
Head over to TheGMSource.com to see Pauwels' second sketch, which gives his prediction of the view from behind. You can also check out a larger view of the one above.
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[Source: TheGMSource.com]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Bobby Acrylic 10:25AM (10/01/2006)
Nice sketch. Where did he get information about design?
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djbango 10:25AM (10/01/2006)
Chevy's answer to being competive in the mid size car market is not a 4 door Camaro
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sQoolboy 10:54AM (10/01/2006)
If its true, it would have to win back a couple Camry buyers off the design alone, but most of those people still buy the Japanese cars for their all around goodness. Since the reliability is new and improved, the last thing they need to fix is their playground material like interiors. After that, I can't see what excuse anyone would have to not return to GM.
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djbango 11:02AM (10/01/2006)
nothing puts me to sleep more than a Camry, and I don't understand why americans don't even give the current Impala consideration....the impala looks better, has a high performance option, flexible fuel option. The only chink in it's armor is no navigation feature. Now if Holden can make a sexy mid size family car, I know Chevy can as well, and I don't mean by importing a Holden as a Chevy
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Tal D 11:11AM (10/01/2006)
At this point who knows if and when this may be on the road. At least it does not look like other cookie cutter varieties now seen. Other manufacturers have a larger/smaller look alike of the same brand. Dodge Charger/Dodge Avenger for a most recent example. I do wonder how a Sporty Camaro/4 door Camaro-Impala would be accepted ? The 4 door Peugeot being introduced at the Paris Auto Show( it was black) ,in my opinion, is one stunningly georgeous automobile(sorry,don't remember the model name). I would really like to see an American manufactured 4 door sedan with a sporty design in the same catagory; but not a cookie cutter design.It may not be GMs savaltion but I believe one step at a time is better than no steps...quick steps but sure,quality quick steps. A 4 door Camaro-Impala(Campala) could be very interesting as long as the sketch offered in this story it is not smoothed with a heavy dose of vanilla.
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pd 11:23AM (10/01/2006)
The 67 Impala didn't look anything like the Camaro, so this isn't even close.
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Stillapourman 11:26AM (10/01/2006)
I am looking for something to replace my 96 Imp. SS Nice looking car.
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Richard Warren 11:39AM (10/01/2006)
#4 You're right the current Impala SS is an underated vehicle. It's a much nicer looking car than a Camry. A friend let me take his out and thrash it pretty hard. Nice car.
I like the new design here with a little cleanup it might be great.
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Markus 11:30AM (10/01/2006)
A 4 door Camero. Please give me a break. The reason I do not give the big three another chance is that I have given them repeated chances. Everytime to be burned badly. Every Japanese car I have owned has been problem free for over 200 thousand miles. The company I work for buys GM cars. They all are pretty much rattle trap junk. When GM, Ford and DCX have a solid reputation for building cars that go 300 thousand miles trouble free then I will look at one again.
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mr.ed 11:45AM (10/01/2006)
A study hall sketch, completely out of proportion. If translated to full size with a real passenger cabin, it would be over 20' long, with 22" or larger wheels. Also terrible aerodynamics with that huge grille. Uncle Larry the sales manager would not want to park or feed this barge.
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Franco 11:47AM (10/01/2006)
A little facelift:
http://www.cwwcardesign.com/cars/chevrolet_impala.html
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Michael Karesh 11:47AM (10/01/2006)
This is simply a four-door Camaro. I'd say that a RWD Impala is almost certain to happen, but it won't look like this. Totally infeasible roofline for a high-volume sedan. Motor Trend has a much more likely design in the latest issue, though I suspect the actual car will be tamer.
As for the current Impala SS, it's much less fun-to-drive than it should be. The related Grand Prix GXP isn't as practical, but drives considerably better.
A link to my review of the current SS is on this page:
http://www.truedelta.com/models/Impala.php
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farris 11:58AM (10/01/2006)
number 4.... um, maybe when talking about asian cars, the word "chink" is not the best word to use.
as for the car, of course its out of proportion. its a freakin' artist's sketch, not a finalized model.
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Brandon 12:22PM (10/01/2006)
I would find it offensive if I bought a 5th gen Camaro and Chevy came out with anything that looked remotely similar. Chevy should know that those of us that buy Camaros buy them for the exclusive appearance of them. Don't do the Aston Martin everything-looks-the-same thing to us GM... we won't appreciate it.
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That One Person 12:26PM (10/01/2006)
As much as I dislike the Camry, this wont steal their customers. Maybe 300 owners...but not the Camry owners. And it sure as hell wont steal Honda owners. Try and convince them that American is better and they go ballistic lol. But I wont get into the argument of who is better...the playing field is pretty much level right now...
I have no problem with FWD vehicles but I think the Impala should go back to RWD. Make it the 300 competitor and make the Malibu the Camry competitor. But I dont think the Impala should just be a four door Camaro...it seems like a lazy effort.
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LaserBeams 12:26PM (10/01/2006)
Re: 10, mr.ed
I agree with you completely... concept sketches are cool looking, but it *seems* the designers often know very little about engineering (not saying they don't always), and just want to make something look neat.
I'd much rather see concepts that were both cool and realistic, so we don't end up with realistically toned down concepts as a final product, which far too often end up looking bad or silly.
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djbango 12:58PM (10/01/2006)
13. number 4.... um, maybe when talking about asian cars, the word "chink" is not the best word to use.
as for the car, of course its out of proportion. its a freakin' artist's sketch, not a finalized model.
farris
There was absolutely no racial overtone in my statement, that's a phrase that's is used to magnify a weakness in an otherwise faultless product or idea.
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andybee 1:28PM (10/01/2006)
nice sketch, but thats just a 4 door Camaro - you should checkout GM Inside News, they always do things like that in competitions, and when they had Impala/Caprice comp a few months ago, half were 4 door Camaros!
Pure speculation IMHO
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farris 1:40PM (10/01/2006)
djbango, I was just messing around, dont worry about it.
:)
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Stphane Dumas 1:38PM (10/01/2006)
it could be interested to compare this sketch with the Chevrolet SS concept http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_SS
I like it but I begin to ponder if this design was "sticked" as a Toyota or Honda? I guess the critics will be less hardful....
#4 a navigation feature is useful, the only thing that worry is will it turn into an object of inattention like keeping the eye more on the navigation screen then the road?
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