If you take a look at Chevrolet’s North American passenger car range, there’s one model that stands out like a sore thumb and that’s none other than the Impala.
The full-size sedan, which was presented in its current form in 2005 but has its roots in the 1999 model, may be a retiree’s rental delight, but General Motors seems to be past that phase and is finally readying a major overhaul for the series.
The new Impala, spied here in camouflage during testing, has nothing in common with the current Impala. Instead, it shares its lengthened Epsilon II platform and mechanical hardware with the soon to be released 2013 Cadillac XTS.
And like the XTS, the new Impala will be offered with both front- and all-wheel-drive, which will be a first for the Chevrolet sedan.
Engine options will surely include GM’s 3.6-liter V6 with direct-injection and close to 320-horsepower, while the newly revealed 2.0-liter turbocharged four with 270-horses on the Cadillac ATS is a likely candidate for a mid-trim model. We also expect to see a version of the Impala fitted with GM’s e-assist mild-hybrid technology.
GM’s engineers did a good job in covering the exterior of the Impala prototypes, but it’s obvious that the new model will have a far more distinct look and a much stronger road presence than today’s version.
Luckily, our spies were able to snag a picture of the Impala’s dashboard, which looks night-and-day different from that of the current model in terms of styling, technology and from what we can tell, perceived quality.
At least in this model, the upper sections of the dashboard were covered in stitched leather and the car was fitted with a large center screen for the infotainment system on the prominent center console.
GM has already announced that it will produce the new Impala at both its Oshawa Assembly Plant in Canada and the Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant, as it expects much higher volumes than the current model.
The new Impala will launch in North America next year as a 2014 model, which means that we could see it making its premiere at an upcoming event such as the LA Auto Show next fall or perhaps even earlier.
PHOTO GALLERY
