Register    
login  

Chevrolet Impala

 
 
 
 

The Chevrolet Impala has been around for many years, with the first generation sprouting as a 1958 model. After taking a couple of breaks here and there, Chevrolet’s full-size car is in its ninth generation and it’s beginning to show its age.

Nine generations breeds a variety of engine options, but the current Impala model is powered by a choice of two engines: a 3.5L V6 engine producing 211hp and 214 lb-ft of torque and a 3.9L V6 engine delivering 224hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The mid-level trim comes with Active Fuel Management which shuts off half of the engine’s cylinders in order to improve fuel efficiency. The Impala can now get 14-18mph city and 21-29mpg highway.

NASCAR Transformers spotted on Transformers 3 set


Every time a new Transformers movie is being made, we can pretty much expect director Michael Bay to have a couple of new toys added to the cast of robots already present in the movie.

For the third installment of the blockbuster franchise, Bay went out of his way to have a few stock cars in the flick, dressed in NASCAR livery and packing some serious ammunition. All in all, three NASCAR racers have been added to the movie, although there have been conflicting reports with regards to which side of the fence they belong on.

Some folks have been led to believe that the NASCAR-dressed Chevrolet Impalas would be on the Decepticon’s side playing the role of the Stunticons, three psychotic robots that form together to create the Menasor. On the flip side, recent rumors have surfaced that the three robots are Autobots and will be called the Wreckers.

Wherever their allegiances lie, we’re nevertheless excited to see some NASCAR representation in the movie. We’re not sure how the racing series is going to take it - especially if these three end up being Decepticons - but we’re pretty sure that they’re happy getting the free publicity.



GM Recalls Defective Impalas


The Detroit Automaker has announced today that they will be recalling a total of 322,409 2009 and 2010 model Chevy Impalas due to concerns regarding the safety belt.

GM will inspect a small group of vehicles whose front seat belt webbing may not have been properly secured to the pretensioners. This suspected defect will cause the seat belt anchor to fail during a crash – not good news to Impala owners at all. Dealers will be called upon to inspect both front seat belt mechanisms and, if necessary, re-install the defective parts. GM claim they know of no injuries or deaths relating to this condition – yet. Impala customers will be notified by October 25, 2010 to bring their cars in. Of course necessary repairs will be conducted free of charge.

This is the fourth installment of a major recall this year, following Toyota dropping bombshells regarding the Matrix and Corolla, Lexus LS, Prius, and, of course, BMW Motorcycles with faulty braking systems. Is it just us or are the world’s automakers playing corner-cutting Russian Roulette with their customers’ lives?



2011 Chevrolet Impala


Like in all of its previous years, the 2011 Impala continues to combine fuel efficiency and fuel options with roominess and popular standard features. For 2011, it will be offered in three trim levels: LS, LT and LTZ retail models.

Also for 2011, Chevrolet is offering a new Luxury Package that includes: front bucket seats with leather-appointments, front passenger six-way power seat adjuster, flip-and-fold-flat rear seat, bose premium eight-speaker audio system, one-year subscription of XM Radio, new inside auto-dimming rearview mirror, new Universal Home Remote, new outside heated power-adjustable mirrors and a rear spoiler. All models are available with 16-, 17- and 18-inch wheel designs.

The LS and LT models are powered by a 3.5 liter V6 engine that delivers 211 HP and 216 lb.-ft. of torque and also offers E85 FlexFuel capability. The LTZ models is powered by a 3.9 liter V6 engine that delivers 224 HP and 235 lb.-ft. of torque (319 Nm).

Press release after the jump.


Full story

  • Post a comment Post a comment

Video: For the love of God, please don’t launch your car over a toll booth


Who knew that toll gates could become instruments for flying cars. We didn’t think so, either.

But apparently, somebody does, and this video will show you how you can take a Chevy Impala and launch it without any Hollywood gimmickry. The only thing you need to do is be intoxicated, as this female driver clearly was at the time of her stunt-driving audition. After leaving the Dallas-Forth Worth International Airport, the driver decided that paying for the toll wasn’t something she was willing to do, so instead of having to scamper around her bag for loose change, she decided to just jump the damned thing. Unfortunately, the jump wasn’t all that high as the car clipped the booth instead. On the other hand, both the driver and the booth operator escaped the incident without any serious injuries.

We know the kind of behavior that people display while they are intoxicated and, while some of those behaviors are relatively harmless, launching your car over a toll booth isn’t one of them. So we strongly advise anybody to exercise caution, just roll your car through the toll, and pay the fee.



OnStar recovers State Senator’s Chevy Impala


This is actually a remarkable story. Last week (Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 1:27pm to be exact), State Senator Terry Burton realized that his 2009 Chevrolet Impala had been stolen. Yes, not only did a thug steal a Chevy Impala, but it just so happened to be one owned by a Senator. Not good for Mr. Crook. To make matters worse for Sir Steal-a-Lot, the Impala was armed with On-Star’s Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. Oh yeah. After Senator Burton saw that his car was stolen, he called OnStar and reported it. OnStar then contacted local police, found the vehicle, and, when the vehicle was in a safe position, armed the Stolen Vehicle Slowdown. This technology can be remotely activated by an OnStar advisor once the car has been located by their GPS system and when police can see the vehicle and advise the OnStar representative that the car is in a safe position. The only thing left to do is activate it and watch the car slow down.

We can only imagine the look on the thief’s face as he saw the police cruisers gaining on him in the rearview mirror and then feel as the car slowly died to an idle position. Now, sitting in a non-moving car with the officers happily walking over to detain him, the crook’s hopes of getting away come crashing down and evaporating into the air under the hot sun. Not a good day for him, but an excellent day for Mississippi police, OnStar, and Senator Burton.

This story is so perfect, so happily-ever-after, that one has to wonder if this was some sort of promotional setup by OnStar or Chevrolet. We are not saying it is, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it was.

Press release after the jump.


Full story

SpongeBob Squarepants makes an appearance at SEMA


Unlike other auto shows in the world, the SEMA auto show is one of the few that celebrates the art of car customizations and fine tuning. This year’s event has so far lived up to the hype with a number of specially-customized vehicles taking center stage.

Then again, SEMA wouldn’t be complete with some rather amusing cars that catch everyone’s attention for reasons that have nothing to do with vehicle itself. This year, a late 80’s Chevy Impala/Caprice was on display and it had a very unlikely - yet extremely amusing– paintjob: SpongeBob Squarepants and friends. The whole depiction of SpongeBob and gang was really intricately done and what’s even better is the fact that pretty the much the whole cast of characters could be found in the Caprice. Too match the SpongeBob’s yellow skin, the Caprice’s hardtop roof, as well as the front grilles, the linings on the front and rear of the bumper, and the wheels were all given the yellow treatment.

You can just imagine taking your kid in school with this car. You’ll become all of his friends’ hero.

Photos courtesy of Frank Filipponio



2009 Chevrolet Impala


Chevrolet has been using the Impala name for over 50 years. It has put it faith in that customers will recognize the name to be associated with dependable, usable family sedans. Because of this, Chevy launched the 2009 Impala with new standard safety features, including thorax side-impact air bags and safety belt pretensioners for the front-seat lap belts. Anti-lock brakes and traction control are now standard on all models. Available is new Bluetooth phone connectivity through the OnStar system. Bluetooth technology enables hands-free phone calling, with personal cell phone calls connected via the Impala’s audio system.

Impala is available in four trims: LS, LT, LTZ and the sporty SS.

Impala’s V6 engines are as fuel-efficient as they are sophisticated. A 3.5 liter V6 is standard in the Impala LS and LT, delivering 211 hp and 214 lb.-ft. of torque – more standard power as a base engine than some key competitors’ top (or only) offering.

Standard in LTZ and available in LT models is the 3.9L V-6 that features E85 FlexFuel capability. This engine offers more power and usable torque within its operating range, with 90 percent of peak torque available from 1,800 to 5,800 rpm. It is rated at 224 hp and 235 lb.-ft. of torque.

The 5.3L all-aluminum small-block V-8 powers the performance-oriented Impala SS. It features Active Fuel Management, which can provide up to 12 percent better fuel economy. Developed exclusively for front-drive applications, the SS’s 5.3L engine produces 303 hp and 323 lb.-ft. of torque.

Press release after jump.


Full story

2008 Chevrolet Impala 50th Anniversary Edition


An iconic brand of America’s automotive market for half a century, Chevrolet’s venerable Impala celebrates its golden anniversary in 2008. Chevy is recognizing the milestone with a commemorative model. Like the original 1958 edition, the 2008 Impala 50 th Anniversary Edition is distinguished with unique trim and amenities, giving customers a special product infused with the fun-to-drive spirit that has characterized the Impala for half a century.
Full story

Will the next Impala be Front Wheel Drive?


Maybe Lutz is bluffing. Though it is theoretically scheduled to be a 2010 model, the future of the new Chevrolet Impala is still in doubt, according to industry newspaper Automotive News. According to the report, Bob Lutz, GM’s product boss, says the new model is still up in the air, with the ultimate outcome depending on the fuel economy standards adopted by the current session of Congress. GM and other automakers have vigorously opposed a plan pushed by liberal Democrats to (...)
> Full story

1965 Chevrolet Impala pimped to 800 hp


MTV’s Pimp My Ride will unveil a modified 1965 Chevrolet Impala, nicknamed the "Bio Rocket," that has been transformed into a biodiesel-powered alt-fuel wonder. The Bio Rocke is powered by a new PPE supercharged GM Duramax diesel engine that runs on B-100 biodiesel. The original engine had an output of 350 hp, but with the new engine it goes up to 800 hp and 1400 lbs-ft. The Bio Rocket sprints from zero to 60 mph in about 3.5 seconds. "By installing a monster 800-horsepower diesel engine (...)
> Full story


1 2 3 next >





featured reviews: