mobile-menu-icon
GM Authority

2014 Impala With Unique Grille Is Not An Eco Model After All

Back in January, we showed you spy shots of a 2014 Chevy Impala with a grille that differed from the two-bar unit that debuted on the “regular” model. For a while, we thought the unique flat-looking and winged grille was part of the aerodynamics package for the Impala Eco mild hybrid model. But we were wrong.

Instead, it seems that the grille is added to the 2014 Impala only when the vehicle is equipped with the Full-Speed Range-Adaptive Cruise control, at least we’ve come to know that much in configuring the new Chevy full-size sedan online.

In addition, GM Authority reader Cameron told us that the grille has appeared in the GM Electronic Parts Catalog, and that it three RPO code identifiers associated with it, including:

  • LFX — the 3.6 liter V6 engine that is the range-topping powerplant in the 2014 Impala
  • KSG — Full-Speed Range-Adaptive cruise control
  • 9H8 — Auxiliary Daytime Running Lights

As such, it seems that the unique grille is only on those 2014 Impalas equipped with the adaptive cruise control (KSG), and isn’t part of the Eco hybrid model.

Update: GM just confirmed that the Impalas with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) utilize the black hourglass-shaped grille due to the radar technology in the vehicle. The radar for the ACC is located on the grille.

Of note is the fact that the Impala’s platform mate — the Cadillac XTS — does not utilize a different grille when equipped with ACC.

GM Authority Executive Editor with a passion for business strategy and fast cars.

Subscribe to GM Authority

For around-the-clock GM news coverage

We'll send you one email per day with the latest GM news. It's totally free.

Comments

  1. That grill doesnt look nearly as sexy as the normal grill… disapponted. I wonder why they needed to do that?

    Reply
  2. Looks yucky to me, why does this not keep its standard grille like the XTS? I think in that form it hides behind the Emblem in the grille so why not the same for the Bowtie?

    Its very disappointing, I’d opt not to have the adaptive cruise control just due to that being added.

    Reply
  3. What’s the RPO code for “ugly grill”?

    Reply
    1. @gdvalente could it be “UGG”? 😉

      Reply
    2. Yup, it’s fugly.

      Reply
  4. GM at its finest. I wonder what they can screw up with the new Impala that is almost flawless in terms of design. Why can BMW, AUDI, and other manufacturers fit their cars with adaptive cruise control systems without adding awful plastic stuff? C`mon Ed (Welburn), why didn`t you have the engineers come out with something contemporary?

    Reply
  5. That insert in the grill is the radar for the Adaptive Cruise. Instead of making a large round/square odd looking receiver, Gm went with this. Took training on the new Impala, must say this is the nicest Impala I have ever sat in. Very comfortable seats and tons of new features.

    Reply
  6. They need to do that because the sensors that are used for the adaptive cruise control need to be located in the very front of the vehicle. There use to be a Caddy years back that had a similar system and it basically had a big square panel in the front that protected the sensors. Other manufacturer’s, like Jeep for example, have a small round sensor located in the bottom of their bumper, and I think it looks better than that ugly grille. I viewed the 2014 Impala last month at a GM Product Plus meeting (I’m a sales consultant) and the LTZ model that they had there had the that grille. We asked all day why it was different, but they didn’t give us the answer until the end of the day. I have since asked my sales manager to try and order the majority of our 2014 Impala’s without adaptive cruise control so that we get the prettier grille that most people will be use to seeing,and I’m sure will prefer.

    Reply
    1. @GM Sales Consultant yupp, absolutely correct. We just confirmed this with Chevy directly.

      As I stated in the update to the original article, I wonder why the Cadillac XTS (the Impala’s platform-mate), doesn’t necessitate a different grille when equipped with the adaptive cruise control tech. Could it be that the radar is located in a different spot in the Cadillac (maybe, behind the rearview mirror?).

      Reply
      1. I think I have an idea on where the radar is on the XTS. Just like the Impala, its in the grill. If you notice, on certain models, the grill looks like any other grill found on other Cadillacs, but there are some models that have what looks like a plated covering over the grill. I would guess thats where it is.

        If thats the case, how could the designers of the Impala not integrate the system as well as they did with XTS?

        Reply
        1. I work at GM and work with the Emblem Group. In the XTS the ACC is able to be put behind a UNIQUE, Cadillac Emblem that is radar transparent, has a larger overall diameter (black area) and cost considerably more than the regular Cadillac Emblem.

          For the Impala, we could have developed a radar trasnparent bowtie but due to the smaller size, there still would not have been enough surface area to allow the complete range of the radar without some other kind of modification to the grille.

          I like the ACC grille. Looks like an accessory package. Would look nice in body color too.

          Reply
  7. Why don’t they just put it on the badge?

    Reply
  8. It looks Chevy enough but I’m not to fond of it. The RPO code comment is right on the mark Alex. It would make perfect sense.

    Reply
  9. Reply
  10. “9H8 — Ausiliary Daytime Running Lights”

    Is this “Ausiliary” something new or just bad spelling?

    Reply
  11. Interesting…I’m surprised at all the hate though. I’d hardly call it Ugly. Just different.

    Reply
  12. Looks like a Volt grille.

    Reply
  13. It would be interesting to hear if/how it effects engine temp –
    and how much it improves aerodynamic cd. and what the
    mileage bump is.

    Seems this shows us that new cars do not need a huge gaping
    grille, and that much of it must just be for appearance, and
    not actually engine cooling as we all have been lead to believe.

    Reply
  14. You have to see the grill in person to appreciate it, beautiful!

    Reply

Leave a comment

Cancel