[rusty_taco]

GM Builds The Last Chevrolet Impala, Exits The Large Sedan Segment In North America | Carscoops

The Impala's death will help to spawn the return of Hummer

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The last Chevy Impala has rolled down the production line at the factory in Detroit, Michigan. The former Impala production line is slated to produce the new GMC Hummer EV. General Motors is investing $2.2 billion to ready the plant for electric vehicle production.

 

[JimsH3]

I'm excited to see that the factory is getting prepared to make the Hummer, but I am sad that the Impala had to die for it to happen. An iconic name bites the dust.

 

[Oakwood]

Chevy ruined the Impala and made it such a bland car. It needs to go away for a bit so it can be revamped.

 

[JimsH3]

Chevy ruined the Impala and made it such a bland car. It needs to go away for a bit so it can be revamped.

It's true, once the shift happened towards crossovers and trucks, GM really stopped paying attention to the Impala.

 

[2007hummerowner]

The impala never seemed to regain strength since its glory days of the 60's and 70's. Now that GM is moving away from sedans it is not surprising its days are over. Who knows, give it a decade, maybe they'll resurrect it like they have down with Hummer and make an electric impala SS. Given the trend right now it can be an SUV.

 

[AllTerrain]

The impala never seemed to regain strength since its glory days of the 60's and 70's. Now that GM is moving away from sedans it is not surprising its days are over. Who knows, give it a decade, maybe they'll resurrect it like they have down with Hummer and make an electric impala SS. Given the trend right now it can be an SUV.

I have a feeling that won't happen. Closest they will get is with a Kia Stinger type of vehicle.

 

[2007hummerowner]

I sorry I would have to disagree. North American automakers seem to be dropping all of their sedan models. SUV seems to be the flavour of the month these days. But who knows what the future will bring.

 

[Eco_Turbo]

Chevy ruined the Impala and made it such a bland car. It needs to go away for a bit so it can be revamped.

So, Dodge Charger_like performance is bland? Rent a V6 Impala and fill it up with Premium or E85.

 

[Oakwood]

So, Dodge Charger_like performance is bland? Rent a V6 Impala and fill it up with Premium or E85.

Stylistically the Impala is way behind the Charger and Chevy never really turned it into a 4-door muscle car like Dodge did.

 

[StillHummer]

Stylistically the Impala is way behind the Charger and Chevy never really turned it into a 4-door muscle car like Dodge did.

I agree, @Oakwood. The perfect Impala successor was the Chevy SS...THAT was the car to take the hammer to the Charger. The last-gen Impala was a nice car, very solid quality too, but they really maimed the Impala heritage starting with the Lumina-to-Impala reboot of 2000 with all ther FWD vehicles. If they had redone the SS on the Omega platform as the next Impala, with a Kia Stinger and Audi A7-like sportback design for utility, it may have worked.

I'll be interested to see if they ever end up making a big, sporty sedan for Chevrolet again once they shift to electric. Since the Camaro is likely going electric, a RWD impala with big hp and torque would round out the range quite nicely.

 

[JimsH3]

I agree, @Oakwood. The perfect Impala successor was the Chevy SS...THAT was the car to take the hammer to the Charger. The last-gen Impala was a nice car, very solid quality too, but they really maimed the Impala heritage starting with the Lumina-to-Impala reboot of 2000 with all ther FWD vehicles. If they had redone the SS on the Omega platform as the next Impala, with a Kia Stinger and Audi A7-like sportback design for utility, it may have worked.

I'll be interested to see if they ever end up making a big, sporty sedan for Chevrolet again once they shift to electric. Since the Camaro is likely going electric, a RWD impala with big hp and torque would round out the range quite nicely.

Bringing back the Impala as an EV would be an interesting move. If they were to bring it back again, design has to be the top priority. They have to commit to it being entirely sporty or entirely luxurious.

 

[StillHummer]

Bringing back the Impala as an EV would be an interesting move. If they were to bring it back again, design has to be the top priority. They have to commit to it being entirely sporty or entirely luxurious.

Agreed, Jim. Especially as an EV, they would need to incorporate as many of the older Impala design cues as possible to make it worthy of the name. I think since Buick and Cadillac are going to be covering the "luxury" EV's, the Impala would do well as a big, sporty RWD sedan with a sharp, sportback design and lots of power, as opposed to a luxury sedan. Something big, yet FAST. Personally I'll always want a good old fashioned RWD, V8-powered Impala like the old days, but that, sadly, will never happen again.

 

[Oakwood]

Agreed, Jim. Especially as an EV, they would need to incorporate as many of the older Impala design cues as possible to make it worthy of the name. I think since Buick and Cadillac are going to be covering the "luxury" EV's, the Impala would do well as a big, sporty RWD sedan with a sharp, sportback design and lots of power, as opposed to a luxury sedan. Something big, yet FAST. Personally I'll always want a good old fashioned RWD, V8-powered Impala like the old days, but that, sadly, will never happen again.

I think an Impala should be a great cruising car like the ones from the 60's. Something that looks good going slow as well as going fast.

 

[JimsH3]

Agreed, Jim. Especially as an EV, they would need to incorporate as many of the older Impala design cues as possible to make it worthy of the name. I think since Buick and Cadillac are going to be covering the "luxury" EV's, the Impala would do well as a big, sporty RWD sedan with a sharp, sportback design and lots of power, as opposed to a luxury sedan. Something big, yet FAST. Personally I'll always want a good old fashioned RWD, V8-powered Impala like the old days, but that, sadly, will never happen again.

If they incorporate styling from the mid to late 60's I'd be over the moon! My favourite generation of Impalas.

 

[JimsH3]

GM Authority shared this Impala rendering and it certainly takes the sporty approach for the car.

 

[StillHummer]

GM Authority shared this Impala rendering and it certainly takes the sporty approach for the car.

Now THIS I like. Especially with the blackout design.

I wonder if GM would ever bring it back with a gas engine...or only an EV? My gut tells me the latter. If true, only a big, RWD full-sizer with lots of power would suffice. Modern, but with classic Impala design cues.

 

[JimsH3]

Now THIS I like. Especially with the blackout design.

I wonder if GM would ever bring it back with a gas engine...or only an EV? My gut tells me the latter. If true, only a big, RWD full-sizer with lots of power would suffice. Modern, but with classic Impala design cues.

If I were a betting I'd say if the Impala came back it'll be as an EV.

 

[AllTerrain]

GM Authority shared this Impala rendering and it certainly takes the sporty approach for the car.

View attachment 93

It comes off as a Japanese car to me. Nissan Altima?

Chevy should just make the Impala into a cool crossover.