Say it ain't so, Bob! Automotive News is reporting that since General Motors' plans for a rear-wheel-drive Impala replacement that's based on the Australian-sourced Zeta platform are up in the air (you can thank the U.S. government and its never ending debate on a CAFE increase for that), a backup plan for a front-wheel-drive is in place. The candidate platform would be the Epsilon II chassis set to underpin the next generation Opel Vectra and Saturn Aura, as well as the next Malibu (OMG, we're already talking about the next Malibu?). Though a higher CAFE standard could torpedo plans for a rear-wheel-drive Impala replacement, the case for another front-wheel-drive Imp isn't necessarily on solid ground either. With the Malibu having grown in size considerably, the current Impala and Malibu cast similarly sized shadows now, and to develop another FWD replacement would only further some confusion between the two models.
The Impala is currently GM's best-selling car across all brands with 270,504 units sold so far this year and 20,791 sold last month alone. The Malibu, meanwhile, only sold 5,975 units in October, but we expect its monthly sales to rise quickly once the new model hits dealer showrooms. There's little to celebrate, however, if the Malibu's new sales come from the Impala's column. Thus, it's imperative that GM find a way to differentiate the two models while maintaining the Impala's appeal. Switching the Impala to RWD and drawing on the car's heritage would be a perfect way to do that, but if the CAFE debate doesn't go the Impala's way, this new plan B appears the way to go.
[Source: Automotive News, sub. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Bozo @ Nov 5th 2007 1:35PM
Oh, nasty!, I just threw up a little in my mouth.
Russell @ Nov 5th 2007 1:44PM
@Bozo
Do you also throw up when you see Camry and Accord?
henrykrinkle @ Nov 5th 2007 2:14PM
Everytime someone types "I just threw up a little in my mouth", I throw up a little in my mouth.
gsolman6 @ Nov 5th 2007 1:37PM
Did you ever think that maybe it just isn't CAFE that is causing reconsideration but the fact that gas is nearly at $3.00/gallon nationwide? Or the fact that most consumers are less averse to FWD than to RWD?
It takes more than just a switch to RWD to make a proper sports sedan.
1337 @ Nov 5th 2007 7:13PM
However, it only takes a switch to FWD to ruin a sports sedan, at least one of this size.
Tool @ Nov 5th 2007 1:38PM
It's amazing that the Impala now looks ancient compared to the new Malibu.
Assuming GM can execute the new Impala as well as the new Malibu--whether it is FWD or RWD--it will be a hit.
Russell @ Nov 5th 2007 1:42PM
The FWD Impala should be erased from history, I choose to remember 96 ones as real Impalas.
So yes switch to RWD or be considered as a joke in my book.
spencer @ Nov 5th 2007 2:16PM
I choose to remember those Impalas as the real ones to. The real crappy ones. The ones that went through heater-cores (thanks Dex-Cool!) rear ends, ignitions and fuel pumps, the ones that had water leaks and a rear suspension design that put the wheels too far forward in the wheel well. My parents SS had all these problems. I will never buy a GM and they will never buy another one.
Russell @ Nov 5th 2007 3:07PM
The ones that went 500k miles as taxis don't count though.
Your parents must be proud of you spencer.
naggs @ Nov 5th 2007 3:26PM
yeah 96 ss was the last real impala
Carlos @ Nov 5th 2007 1:54PM
I don't see FWD as a problem for this kind of car. It's a good thing, if anything... no transmission hump, shorter engine bay. Isn't the whole point of the Impala to seat six people in wallowy comfort?
Leave the sportiness to Pontiac. They're dying because they don't have sportier cars than Chevy and that's their sole purpose to live.
naggs @ Nov 5th 2007 1:57PM
its gotta be rwd, there is no other way there can be 2 largish mid size sedans under the chevy brand
EnviroBob @ Nov 5th 2007 1:57PM
Actually, the Impala is a pretty good deal to purchase to new, especially compared to a Camry, seeing as the Impala has more room and has a lower cost to own over the first five years according to Edmunds. Don't go by resale prices based on MSRP, judge resale prices by original transaction price and you'll see that new Impala owners do just fine.
iQuack @ Nov 5th 2007 2:05PM
The current Impala is a good car for non-enthusiasts. It's spacious, comfortable and performs well.
GM doesn't need another badged-engineered Pontiac G8 with a Chevy label on it--one such "performance" sedan is enough and will satisfy the need for a RWD sedan to compete with the Chrysler 300 and others (GM also has the CTS in its mid-sized RWD lineup).
The FWD Impala makes much more sense, and people who buy Impalas don't care which wheels drive their cars. If/when they do, they can choose a G8 instead, and probably buy it from the same dealer.
In areas where it snows and traction on slippery streets matters, the FWD Impala is a better choice anyway.
GM needs a few good cars, not legions of badge-engineered, mediocre ones.
cowboy bob @ Nov 5th 2007 2:57PM
Ahhh, for the good old days. From the first time I rode in a new '60 Impala with a 348 and all that ROOM! What the fu** happened to "full size" with room for 6? Ever try putting 6 and six suitcases into the latest excuse for an Impala? Yes, yes, yes, I know ALL about gas prices. It is well worth considering that SUV's got to be a hit because they had ROOM! BIG CAR, GET IT? And, as far as gas milage, that '60 got 18 to 20 curz'in on the freeway at 65 mph. Bonus, rear wheel drive in a heavy, full size car was GREAT in snow! I know, because I HAD 'em and I live in the snow belt in upstate NY. With todays technology, a full size RWD Impala would be welcomed by many.
iQuack @ Nov 5th 2007 8:57PM
Well, Cowboy Bob, given the consolidation of GM dealers, the same guy who sells Chevys could probably put you into a Pontiac G8. You'd have essentially the same great type of car--just like that '60 Impala with the soaring fins (those nice fins were a bit flatter on top than the '59 with cat's eye tail lights, right?).
The only difference is that the name on your new car would say "Pontiac" instead of Chevy, so GM wouldn't have to spend money creating the illusion of a separate brand for the same car.
cowboy bob @ Nov 6th 2007 7:10AM
Of course you are quite right Quackers. I do, however, make the point that GM simply doesn't offer a large family sedan anymore. Ford has the antiquated Crown Vic, (which will only be offered to police agencys next year) but no large replacement car. Chrysler hasn't offered any since the Imperial of the late '70s. The "soccer mom mobiles" were a hit because of the room. They were the replacement for the old full size stationwagons of my time. The need was still there. The problem with GM and many other manufacturers is the huge rebadging of brands that increase costs, but give you the same car with different names on them. I always thought that GM should be just "GM". No more divisions, just a line of cars/trucks with the GM nameplate, and loose all the rebadged crap. That isn't to say the MODEL still could't carry the familar "Pontiac, Buick, Caddy" names. Ford/Mercury, same thing. Naturally, that'l never fly. All the manufacturers need to find ways to save money. The failure to offer a FULL line of vehicles, and all this rebadging is, I think, a problem.
srivendel @ Nov 5th 2007 2:05PM
With the introduction of the new Malibu, the current Impala is like the Nissan Maxima. It occupies an automotive no-man's land above mid-sixed entries but below the premium segment.
Give us a Chevy version of the Pontiac G8 and call it a day. No need to have the new Malibu and this on dealer lots at the same time.
iamhoff @ Nov 5th 2007 2:29PM
Exactly the right idea. RWD platform, good powertrains, amortized costs across several markets, should be different enough from the 'Bu to not directly compete, and it shouldn't be that difficult to graft a current corporate snout and tail onto the G8/Holden/Chevy Caprice body. Maybe they should be looking at adding the "Stop-Start" engine management system across the board, and have them pick up a few mpg here and there.
BrokenCaddillac...Again @ Nov 5th 2007 2:07PM
Meh, rental car. A proper rear-driver is the only way Chevy is going to snap out of being nothing but provider of fleet fodder. Impala, Malibu, Corsica, Lumina, it's all the same.