GMX 211 2006 Chevrolet Impala

[thegriffon]

Mentioned yesterday in Chevy's "An American Revolution" press conference, the new (fwd) Impala will arrive in 2005. While the G6 will debut the new 3900 V6 earlier in the year, the Impala and Monte Carlo will feature the new engine with its first DOD application for improved economy in these larger vehicles.

[thegriffon]

The impending arrival of the 2006 Impala is heralded by the presence of a heavily-disguised performance model captured by Chris Doane for Brenda Priddy. Although most details are well-hidden the new Impala clearly adopts styling cues from the new Malibu and Cobalt sedans.

Go to spy shots at The Car Connection
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[thegriffon]

More photos of the GMX 211 '06 Impala prototypes (yes at least two different cars including the SS) sent in to GMI:

GMInsidenews.com -> Exclusive: 2006 Impala Spy Shots

You can also see the '05 1/2 Grand Prix GXP seen previously in Detroit and behind one of the Impalas a glimpse of what seems to be a Malibu, apparently testing a new powertrain.
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[Trimnell1]

I think it's looking pretty good from what can be seen. I know that the MS2000 platform isn't very flexible, so I hope nobody is expecting anything radical like what a brand-new platform could provide. Those dual exhausts indicate the SS model, but Automotive News is reporting that a V-8 may not make it because of CAFE concerns. The Pontiac Grand Prix GXP is getting the 5.3 liter GEN IV V-8, but I guess we'll have to wait and see what the Impala SS recieves.

[thegriffon]

Los Angeles … Competition in the large family sedan market is et to intensify even further with four new models introduced during 2005. First of the new large sedans to debut, the 2006 Chevrolet Impala was unveiled at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show last week. Although sharing the same basic architecture as the earlier GMX 210 model, the GMX 211 Impala has been extensively re-engineered inside and out, sharing little more than the basic floorpan with the previous generation. …

Go to full article from AutoReport
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[thegriffon]

GM had planned to introduce Displacement on Demand to the LZ8 3900 V6 with the 2006 Impala and Monte Carlo. Instead the Impala and MonteCarlo will initially recieve the same [LZ9 version], without DOD, as the Pontiac G6. According to a GM spokesperson:

"We have elected to wait until 2007 MY to introduce displacement on demand in the 3900 V-6. This decision was based on a noise that was discovered in the valve train during testing. While performance was not impacted, we are going to wait a year to introduce the technology to ensure that it meets 100 percent of customer's expectations."
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[Uncle Dave]

Its a nice car, but its not at all groundbreaking-in other words, overall still the same GM fare. That's okay with me and some other GM people, but not a lot of others. And the 3900 V-6 should be standard on all non-SS (shouldn't even exist) models, or at least optional on LS/LT.

[thegriffon]

As previously advised by GM, the LZ8 3.9 L V6 with VVT replaces the LZ9 on the Impala for the 2007 MY. Equipped with AFM to shut off cylinders to save fuel, the LZ8 produces a certified 233 hp at 5600 rpm, compared to 240 hp at up to 6000 rpm for the LZ9 still available in sport versions of the Malibu and G6. The LZ4 3.5 L V6 gasoline engine previously available in Canada now joins the LZE Flex-Fuel version in the US.
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