This article is part of the GM Authority Mailbag series, where the GM Authority Crew features and replies to your questions, comments, and observations. Write in to the Mailbag here for a chance to have your letter published.
This one comes to us from C. Sinz:
I have owned several Chevrolet Impalas in my life time including high end sedans and sports cars. Currently driving an 06 Impala LTZ (love the torque curve) I am 70 years old working full time and at my age I am not looking forward to having my butt 4 inches off the ground while feeling every pebble on the road. We old farts like comfort, that does not mean we like slugs or land “yachts” trust me, I am not just speaking for myself. Here’s the tip GM, how about an optional supercharged 3.6 Impala with a bit tighter suspension. Just a thought for your productions staff! I wonder how many “baby boomers” are having the same thought. After all, we where raised on Chevies!
For starters, it’s cool to hear that C is 70 and doesn’t want a slug “or land ‘yacht'”. Very cool, indeed.
But on the one hand, C doesn’t want to be 4 inches off the ground… and on the other, he wants performance (supercharged 3.6L and all). It seems that what C really wants is a good, comfortable car that also is a good performer. Enter the all-new 2014 Chevy Impala.
Before going forward, let’s take a step back and look at the numbers. The 2006 Impala was available with three engine choices, including:
- 3.5 LZ4/LZE: 211 hp, 214 lb.-ft. torque
- 3.9 liter LZ9: 240 hp, 240 lb.-ft. torque
- 5.3 liter LS4: 303hp, 232 lb.-ft. torque
So even if C’s ’06 Impala is cradling the top-of-the-line 5.3 LS4, the 2014 Impala will offer slightly more power (305 horse, to be exact) out of a lighter, more compact, and more efficient 3.6 liter V6. So not only will the (excellent) 3.6 liter LFX be more powerful, but it will also allow the vehicle to be more agile and more responsive, whether during acceleration, cornering, or braking — thanks to the lighter and smaller powerplant (3.6 vs. 5.3 liters). And that’s not even taking into account the possibility of the upcoming 3.6 liter twin turbo V6 making its way into the car at some point in the future. But even without the boosted six, the 2014 Impala’s modern and naturally-aspirated V6 makes plenty of power — enough, in fact, that we don’t see a reason to even bother with forced induction, unless it’s for a high-performance variant.
Now to the “butt 4 inches off the ground” and “feeling every pebble on the road” portions of C’s letter. To us, it appears that C is saying that he doesn’t want a souped-up ride that has its tires rubbing on its wheel wells. Luckily, the new Impala is anything but that. It’s more modern and efficient, sleeker, and full of amenities that the last-gen model couldn’t even begin to dream about.
To that end, the new Impala will also be comfortable. Perhaps it won’t be as “floaty” as the outgoing model… but who ever said that supercharging the last-gen W-body-based Impala would be a good idea, when the car wouldn’t be able to handle the resulting power that well in the first place?
And so it seems that the new 2014 Impala will do its job quite well for C: not only will it feature a comfortable ride, but it will also offer a spirited driving experience thanks to the available 3.6 liter LFX V6 making 305 ponies — more than any last-gen model Impala. Let’s leave the turbocharging, supercharging, and forced induction up to the high-performance Impala variant… if the Chevy SS doesn’t steal that market, that is.
Comments
wait isn’t the old impala have the 5.3 instead of 5.4?
My typo; fixed.
Is that a typo on the torque for the 5.3? Even though the 3.6 has similar HP, I gotta believe the V8 has a lot more torque…
but then wouldn’t this 10 gen be a little heavier than the 9th gen?
Yes, the 10th generation might be heavier as a whole… are you implying that the 9th gen was/is in some way a better vehicle than the 10th?
no…. I’m just saying like because 10th generation does have a lot of power but along with the weight too… and the same thing goes for the 9th gen too. We also don’t know what is the 0-60 times for the 10th gen so it’s hard to tell. Most likely 10th gen is the better vehicle. I guess what that guy meant is that he hates to go for a Taurus SHO but Chevy isn’t offering one
exception of the SS
I like the way you think C.Sinz. If GM would let you have a Caprice with its V8, would that work?
Rocky that is what the Chevy SS will be. It is based of a varient of the current holden/caprice police car/ G8 platform.
More precisely, the SS will be based on the Holden Commodore/G8. The Holden Caprice and the Chevy Caprice Police Car utilize a larger (stretched) variant of the same architecture.
Maybe a Turbo, but I kind of think the Supercharger would put this car out of place. It’s supposed to be a refined, comfortable car. Turn it into a muscle car and you have a whole new animal.
If he wants a more comfortable car he should buy a Buick if he can afford it.
Impala RS maybe?
Good looking vehicle. Probably even nicer in person. Unfortunately a little out of my price range. Will have to pick up a used one in a couple years.
When I get old, I want to be like this guy. With a supercharged car, scaring the crap out of my grand kids seeing their grand father ripping around like he was 20. LOL
I understand why he doesn’t want his butt at only 4 inches from the ground. Remember, guys, that the older we get, the harder it will be to climb in and out of a low vehicle. He want a good sporty car that has enough ground clearance and floor height to get in and out easily. My wife loves our Equinox because it is higher, and she can get in and out with less back bending.
GM, remember that older drivers buy bigger cars (bigger profits). Don’t forget us!
Wow the New Impala looks great but I is so similar to my 2011 Ford Taurus SEL.
I hope GM has some reliability for this Model.I had a 2009 Malibu that gave me plenty of
electronic problems.
Now On the positive side I am seriously thinking about purchasing a Chevy Traverse to replace my old Honda Odyssey.Is this a reliable vehicle.
Dear MTP
You will love the Traverse. I put 5000 miles on one this summer hauled up too 8 people. Drove from Seattle to Minneapolis and back, got 22.9 mpg, loaded with people and stuff. Hit 100 mph in one of the states, faster then my 07 Silverado with the 5.3. And much quitter then a Odyssey. My sister has one and I have driven it on the freeway, lots of road noise.
The 5.3L developed 323 lbs/ ft of tire smoke’n torque, not 232. This is the big difference. I own a 2006 SS and I’ve also driven a 2012 3.6. The 3.6 is quick, but not as fast as the 5.3, that’s for sure. It may have the HP, but not the twist for the weight of the car. I agree that the extra weight of a V8 in the front end does not do the car any favors in the handling department, but I’m more interested in straight line performance anyway. Turbo charge the 3.6 to get the torque numbers up and then we’ll talk.
great idea but wrong car a super charged impala would hurt the up coming S.S. sedan . may that reader have many miles a head of him merry Christmas to all G.M. authority readers.
Well thanks for the information about the Traverse Peter.23MPG on the highway that is good Mileage.I think I will be purchasing this vehicle.It has a lot of space compared to other SUV s this size.I will however be going with an AWD model as I pull a 1500 lb boat and a 3000lb tent trailer.I also had a 2006 Malibu with the 3.5 lots of power and amazing gas mileage it actually was better on gas than my 2009 4 cylinder malibu on the Highway.Anyhoo back to a GM for 2013
He said his car was a 2006 Impala LTZ. And yes, those were the 3 engine choices.
the 3.5L was standard in the LS and base LT. the 3.9L was optional in the LT, and standard on the LTZ. The top of the line 5.3L was reserved for the performance SS trim level.
Therefore, C’s Impala has the 3.9L V6 with 240 HP and 240 ft-lbs. The 3.6, regardless, is a definite upgrade, so I don’t see what the old fart is bitching about. The 3.6 was stated by GM themselves to be the official replacement for the supercharged 3.8L 3800 to start with. The 3800 needed that blower due to it’s 1960’s era pushrod design. The 3.6 is thoroughly modern and doesn’t need a blower to make more power.
I own a new 2014 Impala with the 3.6l. All I can say is OMG hold on to the steering wheel with both hands when you nail it!! Love the car but needs to be RWD or AWD!