Earlier this year, GM Authority reported that the final Chevy Impala produced had rolled off the line at the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly plant in Michigan. Not only was that particular vehicle the last unit of the tenth-generation model, but it as also possibly the last Impala ever made following the nameplate’s discontinuation in favor of more popular body styles like crossovers, pickup trucks, and SUVs. Now, we’re taking a look at this gorgeous Chevy Impala rendering, which shows the nameplate in jaw-dropping concept form.
Recently posted to social media by the official GM Design Instagram account, @generalmotorsdesign, the rendering was created by Geoffrey Richmond in 2013, and shows what appears to be the Chevy Impala concept that provided inspiration for the final tenth-generation vehicle. The rendering is stunning, offering a taut, futuristic look that simply demands attention.
The fascia gets a number of styling cues seen on modern production vehicles – for example, the sharp, angular headlamp housings draw back into the fenders on either side of the vehicle, while a multi-level grille treatment mixes chrome and black styling bits. The Chevy badge up front is done in blue, matching the headlamps and paint color.
The profile is dominated by enormous wheels riding on ultra-low-profile tires. The long hood line reaches rearwards towards a low, sloping roofline, with the ultra-thin sideview mirrors and the window trim done in polished metal. Lower on the fender, we also see a polished hash mark outlining a prominent styling indent, with the Impala nameplate proudly on display. The rear fenders are also generously proportioned, adding to the vehicle’s sporty silhouette.
The rear end is equally impressive, showing off with a rounded fastback design that incorporates a flat rear deck, angled taillamp housings, dual integrated exhaust pipes, and additional rear chrome accents.
Unfortunately, General Motors currently has no plans to reintroduce the Chevy Impala nameplate, but that doesn’t mean it’s gone forever. The Impala has been shelved twice before, and could come back sometime in the future. If it does, we certainly wouldn’t mind if it looked something like this gorgeous rendering.
Are you a fan of this Chevy Impala concept? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Impala news, Chevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Those are 2 different renderings.
The salmon colored one is way better than the blue one.
I’ll never understand why the production models can’t look more like the concepts.
People will say “production limitations”, but I don’t buy it.
Know how the Camaro is beautiful, but has the visibility of a World War II concrete pillbox?
This, times a thousand.
To make it visible you have to use mesh A-pillars and other stuff still 10-20 years off. Cybertruck has the right idea with camera side mirrors too, but feds have to sign on.
Because people need to fit into a car and most people don’t like a car that gets high centered on a speed bump…..
It looks like it can come back based on the ultium lyriq platform ! If you look at the renderings proportions !
The last generation of the Impala looks nice and dignified while these renderings look stylish, futuristic and sexy.
🤮🤮🤮 beyond fugly…
The reason production models differs is concept drawings don’t have to meet crash standard or roof crush standard or meet the limitations of a stamping machine.
In this case here getting in and out would be as difficult as a Corvette and buyers in this segment don’t lime hitting their heads.
Don’t forget that cars also have suspensions and the tires have to move up and down. What is shown here that would never happen.
Concepts are often the grand dream of a designer but often they are drawn not to the limitations of the real world.
Many concepts that went to production even with work face issues. The Camaro has poor sight lines, the SSR went with issues like to adjust the seats you had to open the doors. The Solstice has little room inside and no real trunk storage. The HHR has thick post for A pillars and it was hard to see a traffic light if you were close. Also don’t forget the stone chips on the quarter panels on the many Flared out quarters like the HHR, Camaro and SSR.
FYI if we are going to dream how about a drawing of a Bronco killer. That could be interesting.
If they make it it needs to be rwd to compete.
I’m a designer and artist. Not cars…I wish. I did that when I was a kid and it’s a passion I don’t have time for now.
You are (unfortunately) correct. A pretty and exhilarating design concept, at this point can not be duplicated to manufacture in present in real life.
I wish!!!
Someday soon, these concepts will lead the way to push engineers and the bean counters to figure out a way to get at least as close as possible.
Bob Lutz once said, and I quote, “ It doesn’t take any more money to design a good looking car.”
I’m sure most of you heard that quote before. And it was stated at a time when cars were fairly boring and ugly. Let’s be honest we have come a long way. We will get there, or at least closer.
I’ve personally noticed that over the years, the concept designs are starting to get there in real production.
I’m not an expert, but I feel, designers are starting to realize they can push the boundaries but only if they start with knowing the rules and regulations.
Peace out dude’s. I’ve got to make dinner for my daughter!
Well here is part of the problem. We got into a retro mode where companies played it safe with old designs made new again.
That was cutting risk.
But the big elephant in the room is regulations. Crash testing is regulating crumple zones and even hood lines as they have to have a specific space between the engine and hood. Hence the tall nose on the present Impala.
Aero is a problem as everything has to be optimized to get the drag down and mpg up. Even the EV models are hit hard here for range. That is why a Tesla models look like pods.
The final area is ergonomics. We see these sleek low sedans with tirescfilling every inch of the wheel wells and the problem comes in people don’t fit. It is ok if it is a $300k low production model that caters to sport but a family sedan needs to fit normal people in a normal life and normal bodies. Like this drawing tires would not work roof line would not work and that is why it is just a concept.
You are an Artist. What if they told you you has limits on a sculpture as to the shapes you could use. Then told you that the materials were linpmited to only a few things. Then you had to make it all fit a small space.. The sculpture would not be what you want even if you were given a budget that was more than you needed.
Concepts are like fairy tails. They are dreams that can not be fulfilled in real life. If they were they would either disappoint or under perform.
FYI the designers know the regulations better than anyone as they are the prison their dreams are held in. They never put pen to paper not knowing. But concept drawings are how they escape if only in a dream.
Enjoy dinner!
Love the look and design. Have owned several impalas starting in 58,60,63,switched to pickups for awhile then and other chevy cars now have a 2012 impala.next car will be a now defunct 2019 impala. Was so sad to see it go ,it was a beautiful car and loved the design. So if they ever bring it back looking like the rendering,ill definitely be buying one,always been a chevy guy always will.
It’s a great concept; but will never make it to production for one reason.. General Motors CEO Mary Barra will never allow the contract to begin or the fact that it could be built quickly by borrowing components from the Chevrolet Camaro or Cadillac CT5.
Got a 2016 ltz 20 inch wheels emblem delete a damn fine car, told it’s not a Chevy till I prove it ! Love the sculpted design!
I’m still waiting for the alpha based Impala while Cadillac moves to alpha 2. Use truck powertrains; 4.3 and 5.3 with the 6 speed, 6.2 with the 10 speed. Challenger/charger are eating Camaro’s lunch. Good looks, nice interior, adequate power. It’s so simple you’d think GM would have made it by now
You’ll be waiting a VERY lllllloooooonnnnnnggggg time. Never gunna happen. Alpha will likely die when Camaro, CT4 and CT5 do.
It’s not 1965 anymore.
I hope there is an option for a carburated 305 and a 3 speed auto too……
First thoughts are 6 gen camaro concept that had the Chevy Cruze front end. Idk if anyone seen that. My 2nd thoughts are this looks like an EV a bit. As many stated that much of this wouldn’t make production. But I think taking some inspiration from this using the omega platform rather then the alpha would be cool.
Looks like an older model Malibu that someone dropped something really heavy on it.
Stop with the butt ugly front end designs…please. You are known for that ‘classic jaw line’ of strength, not this low to the ground, scraping, horrible crap you have introduced lately. We were excited about new trucks and blazers until we saw them… looks like bad anime.
Impala is a family sedan. Families want Suvs and Cuvs. It’ll never happen. If they wanted Impalas they wouldn’t have cancelled them.
But Chevy does need to have some cars for us that don’t want crossovers or huge Suburbans.
GM has dropped so many divisions and cars that people have moved on to other manufacturers for their automotive needs. I now drive a BMW 3 series. I had Pontiacs, but as my income went up, I could either have Cadillac sedans which always seem to have name changes and terrible resale values or I could have gone to an import. The Detroit 3 are delusional to think everyone wants an SUV or pickup.
If they made the impala in AWD, it could have survived…
Once upon a time the average family drove a sedan. There are more single than married Americans anyway & the typical college educated family has at most two kids so they don’t need a crossover.
The Asian and German brands still sell sedans.
Awesome looking vehicle, I’d buy it no hesitation!
Do not like the new style it’s way off from classic designs. Sorry
I would love to see them bring the Impala back but also in a 2 door and convertible style then I definitely would buy one.
Not my cup of tea at all sorry. The rubber band massive tire fad needs to calm down as it just doesn’t work or is sustainable for everyday use on our terrible roads or Winter driving. Ditto the microscopic sized windows which are silly. And could someone explain to me why today’s sedans need to be slammed so close to the ground in a world obsessed with tall riding trucks, SUV’s and Crossovers? It makes no sense and is highly impractical. I attribute these items along with tiny mail slot trunk openings as to one of the reasons sedans have fallen out of favor.
It’s a typical loose rendering that looks like every other marker rendered concept over the past 30 years except this one has the Impala name on it….
Omgoodness. All the hate on the gorgeous impala. I would so buy it. Maybe because I’m a chick and love the color. Or perhaps because I’ve own a 2013 LT and have put 200,000ish miles traveling the united states. Now that our oldest is about to drive and they get to take over Virginia ,our impalas name….It is time for mommy to get an upgrade. Sure wish this was an option!
I like the look of the rendering the front Headlight need to change look like Chevy Cruz, the rear taillights should be 3 lens on each side a traditional Impala trade mark
I love this car. I have a 1967 Impala and I think it is the coolest/meanest Impala ever made. This design will most definitely be the second coolest Impala ever made.
like anything GM.
just postponement of their final death nail. YODA will buy vette and the rest will go to the scrap heap of history;(
If only GM would consider redesigning vehicles as this one they may have better sale numbers, sure names as Impala, Camaro, Chevelle to name a few about of manny GM production vehicles would keep the market interesting, but they have to take in consideration the need to satisfying todays market customers. A vehicle must be appealing and that would make sales thrive. GM should consider this if they want to compete and stay on the top with European and Asian designs that people are electing to drive.
I have stated many times that in my humble opinion the next Impala should be like a Five Door (Tesla Model S) EV.
GM can showcase top Tech for the Chevrolet Brand and bring the Impala into the New Age of the Auto Industry.
And this design is great by the way.
It would make a nice BEV Camaro, even as a 4 door. Chevy’s answer to the BEV Mustang?
Says a lot that they have time to waist on this stuff….
This is just a drawing from seven years ago. Probably long before they decided to shelve the Impala.
You have to start somewhere with a new design, and I bet this is as far as it got.
Once upon a time the average family drove a sedan. There are more single than married Americans anyway & the typical college educated family has at most two kids so they don’t need a crossover.
The Asian and German brands still sell sedans.
I have a 2006 Chevy Impala SS with very low miles and almost stock. I would not trade my Chevy Impala for nothing. The new look is great and hopefully Chevrolet brings back the Impala. The 60’s Impala are one of a kind and to all Chevy Impala owners we know what we have.
Yes, yes. Gorgeous drawing.
Is this to tease the Chinese market because I don’t expect any more sedans for the N. American market?
This car reminds me of the car you can design at Test Track at Walt Disney World
If the car is FWD, 2DR, Full electric, and over 4000lbs…throw it in the trash and fire the platform designers.
Yes they definitely should Never get rid of the chevy impala best ride of any car super smooth. Still Americans favorite car by far.
American’s favorite car? Strange that they weren’t actually buying their favorite car.
Nate, I don’t know how old you are but around 1968, the Chevrolet division was larger than the entire Ford Corporation. GM had about 44% of the entire USA market and the Impala Easily sold 500,000 units a year. I had a 1979 Impala wagon and it was built like a tank. Then the mini van came along and pick up trucks we’re getting more car like. The family four door sedan didn’t fit the life style as we baby boomers were having kids and a mortgage. Then the Asian vehicles were getting big time attention on quality and many boomers switched because of the reliability on many US manufactures vehicles.
The sedan started to died over 30 years ago and the Ford Explorer took hold during the 1990’s and the family SUV started to take over the market share. The last sedan in the USA that took the market by storm was the 1985 Ford Taurus. It’s been in decline ever since.
It doesn’t matter how old I am. The Impala didn’t sell well so they killed it off. 1968 was a long time ago.
At any given time imma choose the 64 chevy impala dawg! A couple of shocks and that lowrider is gon’ be fly as hell
I’ve driven an Impala 2019 i think for too many weeks to have count now, run a delivery program and Love love Love drivin.
I am on my fourth impala, my first was a 65 super sport. My current is a 2016 and the best by far. I think the pictures above are ridiculous and need to be more retro. I want three round small tail lights on each side, if I wanted a Tesla I’d buy a Tesla. An suv is not what I want and and electric driverless death trap car should be banned. The impala is an icon… let’s keep it.