What do you get when you mate a Holden Commodore Chevy SS Performance Sedan, Chevy Impala and Malibu? Why, an Impalibu, of course. Look closely at the badge in the photo to see what we’re talking about.
We get it, Chevrolet SS owner. You’re probably tired of people mistaking your 415-horsepower family-sedan-with-a-pulse for the likes of a FWD Malibu, or an Impala. As to the untrained eye, the V8-powered, Australian-built full-size four-door’s subtle features don’t paint it as all that aggressive. Or athletic. Plus, with just “SS” for a name, folks probably just assume you de-badged your car.
But with the Impalibu name firmly and proudly placed on your Chevy’s rear fascia for them to see as you pull away from them on the highway, people will wonder no more.
Comments
In Australia,
Malibu is a medium sedan
Commodore is a large sedan
Caprice is a large sedan too (it’s just longer by a bit)
Impala would be large sedan too
Could separate Caprice and Impala into lion wheel base sedan. Either way Malibu is smaller than Commodore.
I bet it’s an illusion to how it seems that every review of the car has commentary how this car looks just like a Malibu or an Impala.
Every review.
As an SS owner, I know exactly why he did it. Not a week goes by that someone not only mistakes the SS or Impala or Malibu, but some will even go so far as to try and argue with you that it’s actually just a rebadged Impala or Malibu…thus the Impalibu. These days when I get asked “Is that the new Implala SS” or “Is that a Cruze SS” (Yes, the latter actually happened), I just nod and say “Yep!”. Best one of all is when the person at the parts counter at a Chevy Dealership argued with me that there was no such thing as Chevy SS…that had to be a “SS of something”…her exact words.
Danno — are you serious?! That parts rep really needs to do her training and brush up on the current Chevy lineup.
Dead serious. I finally told her to just put “Chevy” under make and “SS” under model, and see what comes up. She did, and then said “Huh, I’ve never seen one of those? Is it here, can I see it” In a feeble attempt to defend her…it was early ’14.
A Chevrolet employee in a dealership in my country (Algeria) told that the Cruze diesel was designed by Chevrolet with…BMW. I was shocked to hear such bullshit from a Chevrolet employee. When I explained that the Cruze platform was designed in by Opel and GM Daewoo which later became GM Korea. She didn’t accept my information and argued that Daewoo can’t design a premium car like the Cruze. Until i asked her to go on google to have information, than she was confused. It was a sad funny moment for me.
I own an SS.
The reason the owner did this is because he got tired of people asking him, “Is that a Malibu?” Or “Nice Impala”. I am only surprised that he did include some Camaro in the name. I can’t tell you how many times after some one asks what kind of car is that and I tell them “Its an SS”, they reply back “Oh, you mean a Camaro SS.”
Scott, you own the SS AND a “tweaked” HHR? Sounds like too much driving fun for one person! Sweet rides, no doubt.
Not the Same Scott
HHR SS is mine,
If I were spending enough for an SS it would be on a Camaro.
But I also have other toys just not an SS sedan. Note I am. scott3 not Scott.
Scott3 (and Scott)- Sorry about that!
What’s really funny is anybody that knows how to change oil, can see the obvious difference between the three cars. But it’s funny that people will argue with you about your own car.
As a SS owner, I get that same line all the time …. Once in awhile, you’ll get the nod of approval from someone that sees the car for what it is. I like the sleeper aspect, creeping up at a stop light only to leave most things well behind and wondering WTF just happened?!?
They probably did it bc it looks like a Malibu, kind of like a last gen Impala, and is almost the size of both of them.
Why not just say SS is a Silverado Sedan. Ha ha.
Here’s something strange ,,, the Lexus , BMWs , Audi , Mercedes , Porsche etc vehicles which outsell the American prestige vehicles , to a man , are basically bland with understated styling . But , how many owners or prospective ones here in North America , of these cars , have you ever heard of who complained about the styling ?? Anything at all ??
I’m sorry, but I have to disagree with you here. Yes, I love GM and the new Cadillac range. I also love the SS.
But to say that the German luxury cars are understated and bland is just not reality. Have you seen a 3 or a 5 series? A new Lexus IS? There is nothing “understated” about them. Their styling is refined and can be aggressive in their own right.
If I were GM, I’d challenge my Holden designers to keep the understated looks of the car but give it a few external styling tweeks to make it look more contemporary and distinctive, especially the front and back. I’d also drop the chrome since it “cheapens” the car. In person, this car has a subtle, sculpted shape, which doesn’t show up well in photos. It is close to becoming an legend with its unusual but successful combination of European, Australian and American influences, and GM badly needs a “legend” now.
This is why you simply say, “It’s a Holden Commodore.”
Revel in their confused face and if they have half a brain to ask, “What’s that?”, then explain the whole captive import thing.
I drive a Holden Monaro.
— “Huh?”
Nice!!! That’s exactly what I would do. Leave them in confused bewilderment. Ah. Ahahah. Ahahahaha.
/ maniacal laugh trails off in the background as I drive away in the SS /
Its design also aids in noise and vibration isolation, along with standard wheelhouse liners and 5mm thick glass. Hand-wrapped soft leather-appointed performance seats with firm bolsters and sueded microfiber inserts, lumbar support and twin needle and decorative stitching offer you stylish support.