The Impala label was revived not too long ago, and now Chevrolet attempts to whisk some freshness into their family full-sizer with a few improvements
Published: Fri 1 Apr 2016, 12:00 AM
Last updated: Fri 1 Apr 2016, 9:35 AM
The Impala first rolled off the production lines in 1958, but your first memory maybe of one which was a highly sought-after performance version of the Caprice in the 90s.
Through the ages, the Impalas remained impressionable cars, but they went MIA for a while, up until Chevy relaunched the once decorative tail-fin wearing car in 2014. Ever since then, it has been battling it out with the muscle-infused Dodge Charger, the elitist Chrysler 300 C, the popular Ford Taurus, and the remarkable Toyota Avalon for crowning glory in the affordable full-size segment.
The 2016 Impala is pretty much the same car with a few enhancements. In this week's one-way banter, we talk about the Impala LTZ - the boss-badge of the range.
DESIGN & AESTHETICS
The Impala is Chevy's interpretation of the full-size sedan. It is 5113mm long and 1854mm wide, meaning if you've got a family of five seeking the luxury of space, this may be the one to seek out.
From an aesthetic standpoint. just as Ford Taurus and the new Mustang share similarities, the Impala too has acquired some fashion quotient from Chevy's pony-car, the Camaro; and there are reminders of the mid-size Malibu as well. At the front are slim headlamp clusters with projector beam headlights, a black-painted 2-slat chrome grille with the traditional bow-tie emblem pasted to the centre, and a sculpted hood with multiple creases. The Impala surely, but subtly, has the face of sporty intent.
Unlike many a large sedan, the sides of the Impala are not just some flat door panels bolted together; there is noticeable character induced by the three deep-denting creases - one of which accentuates the wide haunches. And the ultra-long and gradually receding roofline that terminates with a short deck lid gives this mammoth machine some fluidity.
That simple rear end has been gingered up with an unusually tall boot, bumper-integrated tail pipes and a chrome tipped trunk lid. We also not-iced that when the sun is up, the red tail lamp fixtures look unremarkable, but after dusk, when the lamps turn on, they disclosed some of that cool Camaro identity. Our LTZ test car wore powerful, but elegant looking 19" machined-face aluminium wheels that could have suited a Camaro with ease.
As large as the Impala may be, it manages to maintain a low profile in the shimmering city of Dubai. But there is something stately about it that cannot be ignored. Don't be surprised to see this car carrying a dignitary or even a President of a country.
Whether you like to click unlock or simply open the Impala's door via the button on the door handles, it's all good, thanks to smart key technology. Step inside, and thankfully, you'll find yourself seated amidst new cabin architecture. Unlike what many manufacturers do, the Impala's very cohesive interior isn't a retread of any of their other models. It definitely has some fresh appeal.
For instance, the ice blue lighting that shines through the chrome trims on the dash and the doors light up the cabin without any glare. and that's something you see only on Chevy's flagship! Then you have the very uncommon 4-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel that has a Mercedes-Benz S-Class look and feel about it. The wheel rim itself, and the seamlessly merged multi-function buttons, are easy to grip and grasp. Even the instrument panel has the blue-lit dials which come with a nice 4" changeable infotainment screen placed between the very legible analogue speedo and tachometers.
In terms of materials used, all elements were good to the touch; they also feel substantial, rendering a quality cabin, and this includes the "plasto-wood" elements. As for ergonomics, Chevy leads the way, keeping all the buttons and knobs within reach and the lettering legible; except for the hazard button which, instead of being big, is annoyingly small.
On the centre stack, there is a retractable 8" MyLink infotainment screen and a secret compartment behind it that allows one to stow personals. And inside it is a USB port to sync or charge your portable music players.
As for seat structure, which is all-important in a full-size family car, we found it flat and accommodating, surfaced with smooth leather. However, the cushioning was a bit tough for our liking. But 8-way power adjustability, including lumbar for the driver and front passenger seat, makes it easy to get comfortable.
As for seat upholstery, Chevy has fitted the seats in the base LS model with high quality fabrics, some ultra-suede material in the LT, while the top-spec LTZ gets three varieties of leather.
The truth is, the Impala is roomier than most sedans and three adults in the rear are an easy fit, but, like the Ford
Taurus, the cabin space does not equate to the sheer size of the vehicle. We were expecting a little more!
POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE
In other markets, specifically in the US, the Impala comes with a choice of powertrains, including a 3.6L V6, a 2.5L straight-4 and a 2.4L straight-4 e-Assist - the mild hybrid version. But in the Middle East, we're limited to the 3.6L V6with direct injection technology. This motor has been shared across platforms and brands under GM, including the CTS, ATS, SRX, etc. And for matters of people portability, the Impala is all good news!
The remainder of the powertrain is a 6-speed automatic transmission and a front-wheel drive layout. In comparison, cars like the Chrysler 300S comes equipped with an 8-speed automatic that drives the rear wheels - something purists would revel in. That said, there is no dearth of driving dynamics here!
Your travel begins with the press of the start/stop button. There is no rumble out the exhaust tips; instead, the 6-cylinder just quietly settles into idle. As you get going, you won't notice the shifts, they are creamy smooth in auto-mode and if you desire some spirited driving, there is also a manual shift mode managed by a plus/minus rocker switch on the gear lever. Unfortunately, paddle shifters are missing. Chevy should get someone to sort this out.
From a numerical perspective, the Impala motor is 305 horses strong, all of which comes on at 6,800rpm; and it generates a very-efficient 356Nm at the top of the torque scale.
Off the line, with your foot planted firmly, you get plenty of wheel spin which diffuses as you surge ahead, and in only 6.8 seconds, the Impala eclipses the 100km/h mark.
Highway travel is even more impressive. power delivery is unquestionably responsive, with plenty of propulsion from a hint of the throttle, making overtaking manoeuvres easy-peasy.
Chevy has managed to instil an ambience of serenity in the cabin, regardless of the travel speeds and street-side hustle thanks to active noise cancellation, acoustically treated windshield and triple door seals, all of which help keep noise levels to a minimum. And, like the impala animal itself, Chevy's Impala floats over road undulations with smooth and even composure.
We wish the Mercedes E-Class would drive this good for half its money!
With the new generation, Chevy has abandoned the wallowing driving nature of the older Impalas. The electric power steering, which is capable of correcting deviations from crosswinds, is an easy steer especially in the city, where it is appropriately light, and on the highways, it provides decent feedback and heft. All those wallowing suspension bits have been replaced with more balanced dynamics. It is no sports sedan, but it's pretty darn close.
In terms of drivability, we are all for the Chevy, but this is still a gargantuan boulevard cruiser at the end of the day, and it would be good to see it hit the claimed 10.69L/100km fuel economy but it probably won't - realistically, expect to be averaging somewhere around 13L/ 100km.
FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY
It's no doubt that the Impala is going to make good friends with the traveller in you. In terms of road safety, the Chevy will safely get you from point A to B largely due to its size - and size does give you a sense of safety. But there are plenty of practical reasons to feel safe too, starting with the 10 airbags that
can adapt during inflation to the kind of impact, and seat belt pretensioners that tighten the straps and keep you firmly in place. You also have more advanced, or should I say, fancier technology, like lane departure warning to keep you within the stripes, blind spot warning that alerts you when you are encroaching on another car's road space (or they yours), and crash avoidance that beeps when it senses an imminent collision. You also get adaptive cruise control and a rear camera to help maintain distance from the car ahead and put eyes in the back of your head, respectively.
Ironically, the back of the Impala ,which is least pleasing to the eye, is also its best in terms of practicality, serving up a 532L of cargo space - enough to stow two suitcases and more. Cabin comfort is also addressed by the dual-zone climate control system, which provides a powerful throw of chilled air and keeps the cabin uniformly cool. The rear cabin air-vents are a big help too.
Standard equipment on the base LS model gives you a 6-speaker audio system with AUX-in, USB port and a CD player that plays mp3s. But LTZ owners can enjoy the well-balanced sounds coming off the optional 11-speaker Bose centerpoint surround system.
All controls are connected on-screen through Chevy's commendable MyLink system, which is a league ahead of Ford's MyTouch and Cadillac's CUE thanks to quick responsive times that don't try your patience.
New to the Impala is wireless charging for smartphones - now all you need to do is get a compatible phone. Place the phone on a charging pad in front of the shifter, and at the end of the drive, the juice is full. How convenient!
Also new in LTZ models is the phone projection technology that displays content from Apple iPhone 5 or later models on the multicolour screen - through the Apple CarPlay feature - with voice-activated technology for radio and phone. This allows drivers to make calls, send and receive messages and listen to music right from the touchscreen, or by voice via Siri.
VERDICT
The Impala was once described as a "prestige car within the reach of the average American citizen" and the 2016 Chevrolet Impala LTZ is just that - call it a discount Cadillac if you may.
It is the quintessential big American full-size sedan that successfully impersonates a sports sedan and is suited for the modern audience. If you have "visibility" issues and like to be seen, try offerings from Dodge and Chrysler.
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