Chevrolet News:Will Chevrolet Revive the Impala SS? *UPDATE*

[Blake Noble]

G. Noble

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

April 16th, 2012

At the 2012 New York Auto Show, Chevrolet stripped the wrapper off of its upcoming 2014 Impala to a pleasingly surprised automotive world. While the current Impala has been called one of the least appealing cars in America, we know the new model will certainly work hard to change those perceptions and try to restore the image of Chevrolet’s flagship model. Other than that, we also know all about the technical details of the ‘14 Impala, as well as its options list that includes a host of four and six-cylinder engines and creature comforts like adaptive cruise control.

A lot of folks thought that would be the end of the “what-we-know” list, especially since we recently learned that Chevrolet isn’t going to offer all-wheel drive as an option. Some took that as an indication that there probably wouldn’t be a Ford Taurus SHO rival from Chevrolet in the form of a new Impala SS. Well, a spy photographer recently snapped a few photographs of an interesting Impala mule running around which could very well be proof another SS-badged Impala is in the works after all.

From the spy shots, we can see that this particular camo-clad Impala has some tweaks made to its front grille and fascia, as well as its headlights and taillights. Suffice to say, those simple changes alone suggests that Chevy could be working on something beyond the 3.6L V6-equipped LTZ model. According to the spy photographer’s sources, if the car pictured is in fact the new Impala SS, it could debut with a new twin-turbo 3.0L V6 engine good for a huge 380 horsepower. We know that we reported that all-wheel drive wouldn’t be offered on the Impala, but with that sort of horsepower rumored to be on tap it certainly makes you wonder.

If it's true a new Impala SS is coming down the pipeline along with the new Holden Commodore-based Chevy Sport Sedan, Chevrolet will certainly have a very exciting big sedan line-up in the near future.

Sources: KGP Photography via Autoblog

UPDATE 11:30PM 4/16/12: We've recently learned that the car in question is actually a mule testing the new Impala's adaptive cruise control. So, the answer is no, Chevrolet isn't preparing a new Impala SS. Don't despair, though. The rear-drive Chevy Sports Sedan should still be coming to fufill all of your Bowtie performance sedan needs.

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[Drew Dowdell]

I'm gonna go ahead and say no.

That has more of a Volt looking face to it dontcha think?

[Blake Noble]

That has more of a Volt looking face to it dontcha think?

Personally, that thought crossed my mind more than once while writing this article.

[Robert Hall]

Impala Hybrid or Eco model?

[Drew Dowdell]

Well to put another perspective on it, Mark Reuss was asked point blank if there would be an Impala SS variant. He replied that this new one already was being offered with a V6 with about the same horsepower as the old SS. I wasn't going to correct him about the torque deficit however.

I'm thinking this is your answer.

[Chris_Doane]

Definitely not an SS model. Probably Hybrid/Eco or foreign market.

[William Maley]

Yeah, I'm thinking Impala Eco model or like Chris said, an export model.

Also, I think it was reported earlier this year the 3.0L TT was canned, leaving the 3.6 TT as the sole engine.

[riviera74]

If there is to be a Chevy RWD Sport Sedan, let THAT be the SS car and allow the Impala to top out at LTZ. The need for a real Impala SS died in 1996. (Yes, I know that the last-gen Impala had an SS variant, but 303 HP on a FWD platform is NOT a good idea.)

[Chris_Doane]

Yeah, I'm thinking Impala Eco model or like Chris said, an export model.

Also, I think it was reported earlier this year the 3.0L TT was canned, leaving the 3.6 TT as the sole engine.

Well there is still a turbo 6 coming...whether it ends up as one or two turbos remains to be seen. Or maybe there will be both variants?

[Chris_Doane]

So I just found out the real story on that Impala test car. Fortunately, I know an engineer on the Impala program, and when I showed him the Autoblog link, his reply was:

"Hah, I was sitting in that car on Friday. That front fascia is to cover up the Long Range Radar module. Anyway, DEFINITELY NOT a SS car"

Then I asked if it was even an Eco model, and he said "Nope, just an adaptive cruise car."

[Blake Noble]

Thanks so much for the info, Chris. I've updated the article accordingly.

[daves87rs]

Cruise, nice...

[G. David Felt]

H'mmmmm Not a fan of nanny devices. Cruise control should be simple and basic and not have built in breaking, etc of taking over control of the car IMO.

In regards to Impala SS, I agree with Riviera, let the Impala top out at LTZ.

Create a Real RWD large sedan that is just labelled SS. That would be a hot ticket as a solid Full Size Halo car for Chevy. In fact you should have all Vehicles stop at LTZ and then if they want a performance version of that suv or car, they drop the name and add it to the SS family of performance.

[loki]

H'mmmmm Not a fan of nanny devices. Cruise control should be simple and basic and not have built in breaking, etc of taking over control of the car IMO.

In regards to Impala SS, I agree with Riviera, let the Impala top out at LTZ.

Create a Real RWD large sedan that is just labelled SS. That would be a hot ticket as a solid Full Size Halo car for Chevy. In fact you should have all Vehicles stop at LTZ and then if they want a performance version of that suv or car, they drop the name and add it to the SS family of performance.

sounds like the SRT brand over at "Dodge"

[hyperv6]

Thanks Chris!

I really did not think SS but I did wonder about an Eco version.

I still think we may see a V6 Turbo at some point but this car will not be an SS at least as long as the RWD Sports Sedan is offered.

SS anymore is what M is to BMW, AMG to Benz, SRT to Chrysler, SVO to Ford and V for Cadillac. They will stick to the formula that they aleady have in place that a car must Go, Turn and Stop to recieve the badge. The Guys who fixed the HHR and Cobalt in the real track cars are doing the suspensions from the start. This will give them better base suspension and will be much easier to tune into a upgraded suspenison. Today the Cruze rides as well as it does because of these guys.

In the future GM will have the suspension to where they can be easily tweeked and engine that they can plug in to make a real performance model very easily if the needs arises.

Edited April 18, 2012 by hyperv6

[smk4565]

300 hp in a front driver is already pushing it. So I would say in Impala SS doesn't make sense. if you want power and performance that is why rear drive cars exists. I just read in USA today that large cars are 3% of car sales and the average buyer of a large car is 65. So I can't see much volume on a high power Impala. It would be like a V8 Toyota Avalon, pointless.

[Guest Guest]

i own every style impala ss every made, to me love driving a family mans car. room for the family i love it. but when im alone or just need to feel a agressive take off the power is there. i think chevy should study what made the 94 95 96 model what it was. because after that model they dropped the ball. i like the 2014 but wheres the 5.7 the 6.3 6.0 wheres the RWD. but still gets upper 20 in mpg. think guys think. some real impala lovers are trying to keep hope alive................................