Chevrolet News:Impala Leaping Out of NASCAR, Unnamed Model Taking Its Place

[Blake Noble]

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G. Noble

Editor/Reporter

CheersandGears.com

March 14, 2012

Here’s a big chunk of unexpected news for you; the boys over at Chevrolet announced yesterday that the Impala will be bowing out of the grid for the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. That’s certainly interesting given that the Impala has earned Chevrolet 79 wins since 2007 after the Monte Carlo went out of production. As Jim Campbell, vice president of Chevrolet Performance Vehicles and Motorsports, said in Chevrolet’s press release yesterday, “The Impala has been a critical part of Chevrolet’s success in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.”

That’s only the tip of the iceberg, though. When Chevrolet returns to NASCAR next year it says it “will be racing a vehicle based on a new nameplate to the brand’s lineup.” And like the recently redesigned Ford Fusion and Dodge Charger stock cars, Chevy says the new racecar will “closely resemble the production version.”

Monte Doran, a Chevrolet spokesperson, also mentioned that the new vehicle would specifically debut at the 2013 Daytona 500 and would be in production sometime during next year.

Evaluating the news at face value, it means Chevrolet won’t be racing the new Malibu and it certainly isn’t considering entering the Cruze. That means that either the Cadillac XTS-based next-gen Impala, which is set to debut next year, may be renamed or — fingers and toes crossed — the current rear-drive, police duty-only Caprice PPV will be repurposed for civilian buyers.

Sources: Chevrolet, Motor Trend, The Detroit News

Hit page 2 for Chevrolet's press release.

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DETROIT – The countdown to the debut of Chevrolet’s next NASCAR Sprint Cup Series racecar is underway. Chevrolet announced today that for the 2013 season, Team Chevy will be racing a vehicle based on a new nameplate to the brand’s lineup.

Taking advantage of the new NASCAR rules, which allow manufacturers to display more of their brand identity in their racecars, the new Chevrolet racecar will closely resemble the production version. Both cars will be unveiled in the coming year.

“We are keeping the wraps on the new car for now and will continue to prepare for next season by testing camouflaged vehicles,” said Jim Campbell, vice president, Chevrolet Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “We know that Chevrolet fans are eager to see the new racecar and we hope that the prospect of being able to own one just like it will make the wait a little more bearable.”

The current Chevrolet racecar, the Impala, took three out of top five spots at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Sunday including the win by Tony Stewart. Since 2007, the Impala has dominated the series, taking the checkered flag 79 times. Chevrolet drivers have also won five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Manufacturers' Championships, and Jimmie Johnson (4) and Tony Stewart (1) have collected five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver's championships in the Impala.

“The Impala has been a critical part of Chevrolet’s success in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and we are confident the new racecar will allow us to remain the most successful name in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series history,” Campbell said.

A legacy of racing competition runs deep in Chevrolet’s 100-year history, dating to co-founder Louis Chevrolet’s passion for racing automobiles. Chevrolet has won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Manufacturers’ Championship 35 times. Chevrolet Corvette Racing has taken seven class trophies at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A Chevrolet-branded V-8 racing engine won the Indianapolis 500 seven times between 1988 and 2002.

As Chevrolet continues to define itself as a 21^st Century global automotive leader, motorsports remain integral to the plan. The racing version of the Chevrolet Cruze, which since its 2009 debut has become the bowtie brand’s best-selling car globally, claimed the World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) Cup in 2010 and 2011, and is the first ever General Motors-branded vehicle to win such honors in a FIA-organized series.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com

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[G. David Felt]

Love IT!!! About time they dumped these poser bodies and raced a body that is truly close to the real thing that the public can buy. Me likey this news

Edited March 14, 2012 by dfelt

[GMTruckGuy74]

I'm wondering how close of a prediction the Caprice PPV is? That would be pretty cool, especially if the Ute and Wagon were offered too

[Justin Bimmer]

Highly doubt wagon and ute would be part of the equation.

[Robert Hall]

Interesting to hear about it being based on a new nameplate...I had assumed it would be the '13 Malibu. The '13 Focus and Charger NASCAR prototypes that have been shown look pretty good, a big improvement over the current generic COT bodies...

[hyperv6]

While I am suprised buy the news of the Impala being replaced in NASCAR I am not supriced by the news of a new RWD Sports Sedan.

This is the car Al Oppenhiser spoke of a while back and said would arrive in 2013 as a 2014 model.

Based on past statments from Al and others at GM this is kind of what to expect.

Zeta based but updated and a little lighter.

DI V8 as this is why it has not already arrived as Chevy has been waiting for the new engine.

It will be the short wheel base car.

It will be more like the G8 GXP and be a V8 performance sedan with no V6 option.

I have heard all the names like Chevelle, Monte Carlo, Bel Air and others. Al said a while back the name was already chosen and ready to be used. I expect a traditional name and I hope it may be retro but I hope it is a suprise.

Some in GM have been calling this the 4 Door Camaro so that should give an idea of the performance. Imagine it with the magnetic shock!

Do not expect a Coupe, Wagon or Ute unless they have really changed their thinking here.

Also expect the production to be limited. I had heard at one point they only planed around 10,000 and no more than 20,000 units. This could be changed since that was stated a long time ago. Either way I don't see this selling in numbers larger than the G8 if gas remains high.

Now this is a guess on my part but if they are having issues getting the police package here and the poor exchange rate could this car finally be Canadian? The Camaro line is set up to where they can build more than one car. The only real issue is if the 2015 Camaro is on time where will that one be built? This sedan could take the old Camaro line and keep working too. THe police package also could be moved there.

As for Nascar this is no more production than the present car. While it will have a few features and decals to make it look closer they all will still be of similar profile and changes will be made to keep the aero numbers close. But they will look a lot better on the track than the present cars.

I am really shocked GM is going with a more performance like car of lower volume vs the high volume cars like they have been using. This car also may be part of the reason they kept the Camaro out of NASCAR. Just one look at the Nationwide Mustang tells me they made the right choice.

I am very happy to see that the car remained on track to make it to production. With GM going dark on the car made wonder if it had been killed or if they were just remaining quiet. It is hard to read GM's moves anymore.

[vonVeezelsnider]

My guess is that it's simply a high-spec NG Commodore being brought over as the Chevrolet Super Sport although Chevelle would also be conceivable as a name.

[smk4565]

I thought about Chevelle, but that would have to be a 2-door, and I can't see Chevy offering another 2 door when they have the Camaro and Corvette. I wonder if Caprice is back for public purchase not just police sale. I wondered too if the Epislon 2 sedan to replace the Impala may get a new name, because the Impala brand name is pretty shot at this point. They dumped Cobalt and Aveo pretty quick, I could see Impala going away and them calling the replacement something else, and that is what the NASCAR is.

[vonVeezelsnider]

A couple people close to the tooling and config at Oshawa confirmed to GMI that the Impala nameplate continues for the new Epsilon II Sedan. I don't think GM wants two cars in that big size class under Chevrolet even if one of them is niche which is why I would say Commodore instead of Caprice. It's more similar in size to a BMW 5-Series than a 7-Series and as such likely more easily marketable.

[hyperv6]

I really don't see a conflict with a Impala FWD V6 and a limited RWD sport sedan in a short Zeta platform. They are two different cars for two different kinds of buyers. It is a win win to me when offered like this.

As for the Chevelle name they made more 4 doors than two doors back in the day. You just see so few as no one restores the sedans. While it may have never been offered in a 4 door SS there is no reason it could not be today since 4 door sport sedans dominte the market. Besides do you really need another Zeta coupe at Chevy?

The extra bulk of a Caprice in a performance car that is already heavy would be a turn off to most enthusiast. God knows we hear it enough on the Camaro alone. The smaller platform would be the way to go and the G8 GXP is the pattern. Imagine a more powerful DI V8 with VVT and the magnetic shocks. Either way this will be a $38-50K car. Yes it will be expensive but it will come loaded and I suspect it to be a lot more car than the GXP was. Trust me it will be priced where no Impala will go. It will be between the Camaro SS and the ZL1 in price. Think of it as a CTSV at Chevy value.

[daves87rs]

Very interesting...

[smk4565]

I can't see Chevy offering a sedan at $38-50k, that is Cadillac CTS price, and above any Buick sedan. If the Epsilon 2 car remains Impala and the W-body one is killed, I am not use what this NASCAR vehicle is supposed to be. The G8 didn't sell very well, imagine the volume if it the V6 wasn't offered and it was only V8. I just can't see GM offering a V8 only Chevy sedan, they won't even make a V8 Cadillac sedan aside from the CTS-V. The next Impala and CTS will get 4-cyldiner power, GM is in engine downsize mode.

[Robert Hall]

I can't see Chevy offering a sedan at $38-50k, that is Cadillac CTS price, and above any Buick sedan.

Why not? The Dodge Charger R/T and SRT8 (which would be the target of a RWD V8 Chevy sedan) are in that price range more or less... Chevy sedans don't have be only cheap FWD volume appliances. Chevelle SS would be a good name for the model.

Edited March 15, 2012 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[cletus8269]

another thing about the chevelle nameplate not being 4dr sounding... ever see a 4dr charger before the '99 concept? there are few nameplates that are safe from being inappropriately attached to vehicles.

[Camino LS6]

Ugh. Not another damned sedan, please.

[Camino LS6]

I can't see Chevy offering a sedan at $38-50k, that is Cadillac CTS price, and above any Buick sedan. If the Epsilon 2 car remains Impala and the W-body one is killed, I am not use what this NASCAR vehicle is supposed to be. The G8 didn't sell very well, imagine the volume if it the V6 wasn't offered and it was only V8. I just can't see GM offering a V8 only Chevy sedan, they won't even make a V8 Cadillac sedan aside from the CTS-V. The next Impala and CTS will get 4-cyldiner power, GM is in engine downsize mode.

Boy, do you have that all wrong! The G8 actually sold quite well and it was the V6 cars that sat on lots.

[Drew Dowdell]

I can't see Chevy offering a sedan at $38-50k, that is Cadillac CTS price, and above any Buick sedan. If the Epsilon 2 car remains Impala and the W-body one is killed, I am not use what this NASCAR vehicle is supposed to be. The G8 didn't sell very well, imagine the volume if it the V6 wasn't offered and it was only V8. I just can't see GM offering a V8 only Chevy sedan, they won't even make a V8 Cadillac sedan aside from the CTS-V. The next Impala and CTS will get 4-cyldiner power, GM is in engine downsize mode.

Boy, do you have that all wrong! The G8 actually sold quite well and it was the V6 cars that sat on lots.

SMK getting facts and details wrong?

[G. David Felt]

I can't see Chevy offering a sedan at $38-50k, that is Cadillac CTS price, and above any Buick sedan. If the Epsilon 2 car remains Impala and the W-body one is killed, I am not use what this NASCAR vehicle is supposed to be. The G8 didn't sell very well, imagine the volume if it the V6 wasn't offered and it was only V8. I just can't see GM offering a V8 only Chevy sedan, they won't even make a V8 Cadillac sedan aside from the CTS-V. The next Impala and CTS will get 4-cyldiner power, GM is in engine downsize mode.

Boy, do you have that all wrong! The G8 actually sold quite well and it was the V6 cars that sat on lots.

SMK getting facts and details wrong?

Maybe it is part of the whole Aussie thing since it is a world away from us. Remember they are down under and upside down from the US.

Edited March 15, 2012 by dfelt

[GMTruckGuy74]

Highly doubt wagon and ute would be part of the equation.

Do not expect a Coupe, Wagon or Ute unless they have really changed their thinking here.

All I said was - That would be pretty cool, especially if the Ute and Wagon were offered too - I didn't say GM would be out of their mind if they didn't offer the wagon or ute, nor did I say GM sucks for not bringing over the wagon and ute too. I was having a moment of hope, especially for the ute (though I would dump the Envoy for a wagon in a heartbeat! ). I know and don't expect the wagon or ute to arrive on our shores any time in the near future

[G. David Felt]

Highly doubt wagon and ute would be part of the equation.

Do not expect a Coupe, Wagon or Ute unless they have really changed their thinking here.

All I said was - That would be pretty cool, especially if the Ute and Wagon were offered too - I didn't say GM would be out of their mind if they didn't offer the wagon or ute, nor did I say GM sucks for not bringing over the wagon and ute too. I was having a moment of hope, especially for the ute (though I would dump the Envoy for a wagon in a heartbeat! ). I know and don't expect the wagon or ute to arrive on our shores any time in the near future

How about if they do start selling the caprice, then pick up an Older station wagon you like the body of, cut off the body from behind the driver door back and graft it onto a modern suspension / drive train and nose and end up with your own custom one off modern wagon.

[Camino LS6]

Highly doubt wagon and ute would be part of the equation.

Do not expect a Coupe, Wagon or Ute unless they have really changed their thinking here.

All I said was - That would be pretty cool, especially if the Ute and Wagon were offered too - I didn't say GM would be out of their mind if they didn't offer the wagon or ute, nor did I say GM sucks for not bringing over the wagon and ute too. I was having a moment of hope, especially for the ute (though I would dump the Envoy for a wagon in a heartbeat! ). I know and don't expect the wagon or ute to arrive on our shores any time in the near future

OK, I'll say those things then.

They are out of their minds and they do suck!

[Robert Hall]

Highly doubt wagon and ute would be part of the equation.

Do not expect a Coupe, Wagon or Ute unless they have really changed their thinking here.

All I said was - That would be pretty cool, especially if the Ute and Wagon were offered too - I didn't say GM would be out of their mind if they didn't offer the wagon or ute, nor did I say GM sucks for not bringing over the wagon and ute too. I was having a moment of hope, especially for the ute (though I would dump the Envoy for a wagon in a heartbeat! ). I know and don't expect the wagon or ute to arrive on our shores any time in the near future

OK, I'll say those things then.

They are out of their minds and they do suck!

As a business case goes, GM probably figures it's not cost effective to bring the ute and wagon to the US if they are only likely to sell in the double or triple digits...

[Camino LS6]

GM has been mishandling the potential for these cars for at least a decade and a half, so I think "suck" is an apt description of their track record.

Maybe it is too late now to get it right, but that they blew some great opportunities is indisputable.

They've been screwing this up for so long that it is cliche.

[hyperv6]

Highly doubt wagon and ute would be part of the equation.

Do not expect a Coupe, Wagon or Ute unless they have really changed their thinking here.

All I said was - That would be pretty cool, especially if the Ute and Wagon were offered too - I didn't say GM would be out of their mind if they didn't offer the wagon or ute, nor did I say GM sucks for not bringing over the wagon and ute too. I was having a moment of hope, especially for the ute (though I would dump the Envoy for a wagon in a heartbeat! ). I know and don't expect the wagon or ute to arrive on our shores any time in the near future

I know what you ment my comment was for the less sane here.

I will be shocked if the CTS wagon makes it to the next gen. I read raves on them in the magazines but I see so few on the road.

The Chevelle was just as much a sedan or wagon as it was a coupe. The fact is they already have a Zeta coupe at Chevy so why duplicate the product again? If your have to do another coupe send it to Buick.

[walter36]

hmm, it could be a production version of the TRU 140 concept car. or they could be bringing back the Monte Carlo based on the Epsilion, or they might be bringing back the Pontiac G8 badged as a Chevy. probably one of the three.

[walter36]

I highly doubt this car would be assembled in austrailia. It will be built in an existing plant in the USA, Canada or Mexico. and I wouldnt doubt that production of the Caprice PPV will be shifted to the same assembly plant.

[hyperv6]

I highly doubt this car would be assembled in austrailia. It will be built in an existing plant in the USA, Canada or Mexico. and I wouldnt doubt that production of the Caprice PPV will be shifted to the same assembly plant.

With the import issues they have had the PPV could find its way to Canada very easy. It also would keep the volume up on the Camaro line since they could share lines.

[vonVeezelsnider]

hmm, it could be a production version of the TRU 140 concept car. or they could be bringing back the Monte Carlo based on the Epsilion, or they might be bringing back the Pontiac G8 badged as a Chevy. probably one of the three.

If they make one of those concepts they showed this year, it will be the Code 130R, not the warmed over Mitsu Eclipse methinks.

[hyperv6]

hmm, it could be a production version of the TRU 140 concept car. or they could be bringing back the Monte Carlo based on the Epsilion, or they might be bringing back the Pontiac G8 badged as a Chevy. probably one of the three.

If they make one of those concepts they showed this year, it will be the Code 130R, not the warmed over Mitsu Eclipse methinks.

I must say this is the most popular NASCAR thread I have ever seen here. Give em a shot a new RWD model and it brings in the comments. LOL!

Where is Blu? Someone mentioned the130 and he did not chime in how much he liked it. Is he sick or in jail? LOL!

Edited March 16, 2012 by hyperv6

[GMTruckGuy74]

Where is Blu? Someone mentioned the130 and he did not chime in how much he liked it. Is he sick or in jail? LOL!

I've wondered the same thing this week... maybe he's part of the focus group for this car, seeing as how he had an Impala demo recently

[hyperv6]

Where is Blu? Someone mentioned the130 and he did not chime in how much he liked it. Is he sick or in jail? LOL!

I've wondered the same thing this week... maybe he's part of the focus group for this car, seeing as how he had an Impala demo recently

I heard they are testing for three new colors as the major changes for next year. Also they are looking at choosing the correct "Classic" emblem to use.

Edited March 16, 2012 by hyperv6

[Drew Dowdell]

You guys really think it will be on Zeta and not Alpha? Zeta is not long for this world, it would be a short run car.

[knightfan26917]

Ahem ... who else actually read &/or noticed the wording in Ch#$r%*et's press release?

The press release states that it will be "a NEW NAMEPLATE to the BRAND'S LINEUP" ... which means ... it CANNOT be a Caprice, Chevelle, Monte Carlo or Camaro, since all of those are old heritage nameplates!

Warned ya'll my "big heart" is gone....

Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic

CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

* rNw-CC+event: http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=whatsgoingon *

"What is done in vain, truth is hard to swallow" __ Kevin Rudolf __ 'Let It Rock'

[G. David Felt]

Ahem ... who else actually read &/or noticed the wording in Ch#$r%*et's press release?

The press release states that it will be "a NEW NAMEPLATE to the BRAND'S LINEUP" ... which means ... it CANNOT be a Caprice, Chevelle, Monte Carlo or Camaro, since all of those are old heritage nameplates!

Warned ya'll my "big heart" is gone....

Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic

CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

* rNw-CC+event: http://rdwhl-caprice...rd=whatsgoingon *

"What is done in vain, truth is hard to swallow" __ Kevin Rudolf __ 'Let It Rock'

Boy fix that Heart andyou get Frisky! Go get em!!!

What ever it is, It will still be nice to have a nascar that actually is almost identical to a real thing being bought on the lot. The old Fiber glass shells are a pathetic joke.

[Robert Hall]

Ahem ... who else actually read &/or noticed the wording in Ch#$r%*et's press release?

The press release states that it will be "a NEW NAMEPLATE to the BRAND'S LINEUP" ... which means ... it CANNOT be a Caprice, Chevelle, Monte Carlo or Camaro, since all of those are old heritage nameplates!

Depends on how they are using 'new'.. I read it as a nameplate not in the current lineup, so Chevelle would fit.

[hyperv6]

Ahem ... who else actually read &/or noticed the wording in Ch#$r%*et's press release?

The press release states that it will be "a NEW NAMEPLATE to the BRAND'S LINEUP" ... which means ... it CANNOT be a Caprice, Chevelle, Monte Carlo or Camaro, since all of those are old heritage nameplates!

Warned ya'll my "big heart" is gone....

Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic

CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

* rNw-CC+event: http://rdwhl-caprice...rd=whatsgoingon *

"What is done in vain, truth is hard to swallow" __ Kevin Rudolf __ 'Let It Rock'

Boy fix that Heart andyou get Frisky! Go get em!!!

What ever it is, It will still be nice to have a nascar that actually is almost identical to a real thing being bought on the lot. The old Fiber glass shells are a pathetic joke.

Sorry they will look better but they will not be anything close to identical. They will all still be similar general shape and size. They will really just be sculpting the body to carry some of the lines of the real car to give them a more stock appearance and noting more.

It will be nice that they will look better is a fair statement.

The old cars were still steel too. The cars will still use the nose and tail from GM made of Carbon Fiber with decals for headlights and grilles.

As for the name I take the statment that it is going to be a new name not presently being used. That would still include the old names not in production to be in the running. The name has been picked for a good while per Al's statment a year so ago.

I expect Zeta as this will be a limited production car. If they hold to what was hinted to before it was to be a performance V8 sedan only. It was hinted to be a G8 GXP like package. With the pending future rules I don't see a performance V8 sedan being in GM's line up too long anyways. I could see an Alpha later on with a Tubo V6 replacing this later.

Time will tell.

[Robert Hall]

You guys really think it will be on Zeta and not Alpha? Zeta is not long for this world, it would be a short run car.

I wonder if Alpha is flexible enough to build something Fusion or Charger sized, though....the only Chevy Alpha concept shown so far is the tiny Code 130R...

[Drew Dowdell]

You guys really think it will be on Zeta and not Alpha? Zeta is not long for this world, it would be a short run car.

I wonder if Alpha is flexible enough to build something Fusion or Charger sized, though....the only Chevy Alpha concept shown so far is the tiny Code 130R...

Yep it is. Alpha is the platform for the next CTS

[G. David Felt]

The next CTS I am awaiting with EXCITEMENT!, I love my 2004 cts, but the back seat is a bit tight for big people.

Edited March 21, 2012 by dfelt

[Drew Dowdell]

The next CTS I am awaiting with EXCITEMENT!, I love my 2004 cts, but the back seat is a bit tight for big people.

Overall size is said to be the same on the exterior with better packaging (read: more room) on the interior.

[hyperv6]

I had heard the new CTS was to grow just a little in length.

The Alpha will underpin the Camaro that is already on the way. If it is on time we are looking at 2015-16. It will prove to be interesting with a coupe that could come in at 3200-3300 pounds. If they can do the Turbo ATS at 3300 a Camaro turbo coupe could see 3200? Even the V6 and V8 would come in way under the present car.

I just hope Buick gets an Alpha too. GM needs to make good use of this platform. I would be willing to give up an ATS coupe for a Buick coupe.

[Drew Dowdell]

Just minor amounts in length, within the margin of error that the 5 and E have grown.

[hyperv6]

Just minor amounts in length, within the margin of error that the 5 and E have grown.

That is what I have heard. The size was to match them and move it up a little fromt he ATS a little more.

[knightfan26917]

Boy fix that Heart andyou get Frisky! Go get em!!!

LOL! But, seriously, I've warned ya'll PLENTY of times that my "big heart" is GONE ... so no excuses to not believe me.

Depends on how they are using 'new'.. I read it as a nameplate not in the current lineup, so Chevelle would fit.

Well, luckily, Ch#$r%*et, in its INFINITE wisdom, did NOT clarify what EXACTLY they meant. So, it's their own fault if they are caught in a lie. PERIOD.

Cort | 38.m.IL | pigValve + paceMaker + cowValve | 5 MCs + 1 Caprice Classic

CHD.MCs.CC + RoadTrips.hobbies.RadioShows.us66 = http://www.chevyasylum.com/cort

* rNw-CC+event: http://rdwhl-capriceclassic.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=whatsgoingon *

"Believe half of what you see" __ Marvin Gaye __ 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine'

[G. David Felt]

The next CTS I am awaiting with EXCITEMENT!, I love my 2004 cts, but the back seat is a bit tight for big people.

Overall size is said to be the same on the exterior with better packaging (read: more room) on the interior.

I truly hope you are right, Sadly what has kept me from replacing my 2006 ESV Platinum with a new one is that they LOST interior room on the Escalade, even without a sun roof, I have to tilt the chair back as it does not have the ability to go as low as my current Escalade does and I have to bend my head, plus the leg room is terrible, that damn center stack between the front two seats is wider and eats up leg room for a big guy like me. The dealer where I have bought all my caddy's was shocked to see that I had to recline which I hate and bend my head down due to a lack of room. GM build a tighter quality product with the GMT900 platform, but they did this by giving up interior room. Who ever is using the measuring tape is lying about the interior room.

Edited March 26, 2012 by dfelt