crankandpiston.com welcomes a new addition to the Management Fleet, the tenth generation Chevrolet Impala
[Not a valid template]| Driver's Log | |
|---|---|
| Date acquired: | September 2014 |
| Total kilometres: | 12,686 |
| Kilometres this month: | N/A |
| Costs this month: | $0 |
| L/100km this month: | N/A |
Okay, after two months of Cadillac ATS action on crankandpiston’s Management Fleet, the addition of a Chevrolet Impala may seem an odd one. But if you’d like to take your seats and holster your flaming pitchforks for just a second, I’ll explain why having Chevy’s flagship saloon on fleet for an extended period is important.
For starters, a base level Impala costs $28,500, putting it right into Ford Taurus and Toyota Aurion territory, two of the most popular forerunners of the segment that GM will be looking to take down. Then there’s that all-important heritage. The tenth generation boasts not only a lineage that dates back to 1957 but also a pretty successful NASCAR career. Okay, so peel off the aerodynamic bodywork, regulation-spec suspension, transmission, engine and roll cage, and there’s little of the road-going Impala left save the name and leaping gazelle. Still, the SS chalking up NASCAR win number 600 for Chevy must count for something.
Hardly surprising that we were keen to take a closer look….
Safe to say we’re off to a good start on the outside, the new grungy look of the tenth gen model putting to bed the ‘cute’ curvaceous aestehtics of its predecessor. Add in a few leaping Impala badges and a dash of chrome, and our newboy is off to a good start.
First impressions on the interior though include the word ‘grey’ a lot. Yes we could focus on the curved dash, the masses of head and legroom, and the spanking new MyLink system, but…’grey’ does rather sum it up. Our test model though is the slightly more premium LTZ model, which brings with it a 3.6-litre V6 engine that kicks out 300hp and 264lb ft of torque. Hopefully two months should be enough time to see how the Impala feels at full steam.
Okay, context over. You may fire when ready…
MORE VEHICLE TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AVAILABLE HERE
| Chevrolet | Impala |
|---|---|
| Engine | V6 / 3564cc |
| Power | 296bhp @ 6800rpm |
| Torque | 264lb ft @ 5300rpm |
| Transmission | Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic / front-wheel drive |
| Front suspension | MacPherson strut twin-tube dampers with gas-charged valving / 28.5mm hollow direct-acting stabilizer bar / hydraulic ride bushing |
| Rear suspension | Multi-link with coil springs and stabilizer bar / gas-charged twin-tube dampers |
| Brakes | Split dual-circuit four-wheel-disc with power assist / 321 x 30mm vented (front) / 315 x 23mm solid (rear) |
| Wheels | 18-in front and rear (standard) |
| Tyres | P235/50R18 front and rear (standard) |
| Weight (kerb) | 1724kg |
| 0-100kph | N/A |
| Top speed: | N/A |
| Basic price: | $28,500 |
