'06 Impala SS autocrossing pics.

http://impalassforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=8;t=014964;p=

That thing looks like it is quite the autocrossing machine.

:D That looks just like how the GrandPrix I saw at my local autocross was handling. You feel sorry for it and wish the driver would just put it down and walk away.

Holy body roll Batman! :shock: While I've no idea how fast the course was, that seems like an unholy amount of body roll, almost to the point of pour chassis dynamics.

I don't think this car would be great for autocrossing, big heavy engine up front coupled with FWD = :no:

The GP GXP with Bilstiens would do a bit better;)

Kind of hard to tell how fast he's going........

..........but I'd bet he'd go faster with less body roll.

The GP GXP with Bilstiens would do a bit better;)
I'm sure of it.

I have this strange sneaking suspicion that there won't be that many '06 Impala SS owners planning to AutoX.

Huge surprise the B Body folks hate it, I guess its probably what the reaction would be like around here if the Cobalt SS had been called "Camaro SS." Nonetheless, I think that the car will do pretty well.

It looks like an Accord.

I have this strange sneaking suspicion that there won't be that many '06 Impala SS owners planning to AutoX.

Huge surprise the B Body folks hate it, I guess its probably what the reaction would be like around here if the Cobalt SS had been called "Camaro SS." Nonetheless, I think that the car will do pretty well.

I agree.

The GP GXP with Bilstiens would do a bit better;)

Better yet, a 2 y/o Comp G is an AWESOME autocrosser on a good 40-50 second track. I've run against many that were very impressive.

Also, body-roll alone does not mean the car doesn't handle well, it just means the car's attitude is not good during the weight shift. If the tires are well-planted, it will still turn.
Now if the body roll is because of a weak unitized body instead of soft springs... well that's an ENTIRELY different issue. :o

:D That looks just like how the GrandPrix I saw at my local autocross was handling. You feel sorry for it and wish the driver would just put it down and walk away.

Be nice now, GP's may not be autocross champions but they are still pretty fun cars.

When did Impala EVER have good body-roll control?? Dont get me wrong, the current ones have a good balance feel but arent side stiffened. And they shouldnt be.

When the Comp G came out, Lutz was calling it the best handling front wheel drive car in the world...at the time. While I am not saying that may have been exagerating...my Comp G handles great....which it should since it has probaly the stiffest suspension you can buy on a car in it's class....brutal over a rough road.

That's just sad. Super Sport? Where's the Sport, much less the Super?

At least it looks like they may have taken the SS tidbit of info to heart with the TB SS.

I like how all the B-body guys are bashing it and making fun of it being FWD when stock for stock the new Impala would blow the ****ing doors off their old overweight Impala pigs. Wouldn't even be a contest - it would be a bitchslapping.

Well, it is the next generation and it kind of should out perform the previous versions.

But it's still sad. It's not how well it does against the out dated stuff, it's how well it does against its contemporaries. And (oddly) packing 300hp on what looks like a fairly sloppy FWD platform... I'd look elsewhere for a performance oriented sedan.

Those B-body guys sound like a bunch of snobs....don't they? Lots of trivial complaints...like not liking the floor shifter. Guess once you go column shift, you never want to go back. Another guy complains about it being too small....hmmm.

And I agree, stock for stock....I'm guessing the '05 Impala SS will completely outperform a B-bod Impala SS.

Good God! Is that thing going to fall over on it's side?! :eek:

Seeing those pictures makes me think the '06 Impala SS is going to be the next car to fall from grace if I drive one (last was that Bonneville).

Look at how that car leans! What's the suspension made of? Cool Whip?

It doesn't take much to add a set of REAL swaybars to a car like that. So why didn't Chevy take care of it already? A little more money for slightly bigger size but c'mon, this is an SS, not a base model.

It's an impala. What do you expect? Camaro-like performance? Jesus christ this thing will be in 30% of the soccer mom's driveways to get groceries (yes I'm still talking about the SS/LS4). If you want GM LS4 with alittle more performance buy the sportier GXP... I don't understand any of this really?

And the old B-Bodys IMO were UUGGGGGLLYYYYY. I would take this 2006 design hands down over the old one, FWD and all.

It's an impala. What do you expect? Camaro-like performance?

Maybe not, but it IS the SS model.... :confused:

Those B-body guys sound like a bunch of snobs....don't they? Lots of trivial complaints...like not liking the floor shifter. Guess once you go column shift, you never want to go back. Another guy complains about it being too small....hmmm.

And I agree, stock for stock....I'm guessing the '05 Impala SS will completely outperform a B-bod Impala SS.

I was thinking the exact same thing. There's one thing I've learned...in general, '94-'96 Impy SS owners truly do believe they have the best thing since sliced bread. Don't get me wrong, I like them myself. But the interiors are a laughing stock compared to anything GM puts out today, the car's space utilization is piss poor, it isn't even that quick, and the fact of the matter is that there are a ton of FWD cars out there that will completely annihilate their beloved RWD fetish-mobiles...see that car on the auto-x track? That's one of them.

The huge aftermarket for W Body parts will have those cars handling like champs in no time :) Sorry for the rant about Impy SS owners, but if people like that who own cars like those are ranting on a car like the '06, there heads are shoved way too far up their own a**.

Stepping off of soapbox now...

Holy lift kit batman, is that Gm's new crossover vehicle. So this car came from the same guys that made the colbalt SS?

I thought I read in car and driver or motor trend that the GXP GP had 67% of the weight over the front end. You just cant tune that out. The thing needs a 40mm bar upfront just to have a chance.

The V-8 power is fun and I am sure it will do well at the strip but it could be too much for FWD. The detroit paper said the car was way too darty under power and pulled in both directions under power. And they got 16mpg in the week or two with the car.

I dont think that these SS's, the Monte and Impy, were put together by GMPD, unlike Cobalt SS and TB SS. I think that the Monte and Impy got left over technology from Pontiac.

It's an impala. What do you expect? Camaro-like performance? Jesus christ this thing will be in 30% of the soccer mom's driveways to get groceries (yes I'm still talking about the SS/LS4). If you want GM LS4 with alittle more performance buy the sportier GXP... I don't understand any of this really?

And the old B-Bodys IMO were UUGGGGGLLYYYYY. I would take this 2006 design hands down over the old one, FWD and all.Sure, it is an Impala. And no, I wouldn't expect it to handle like a f body. What I would expect however, is if they're going to put the SS badge on there, it should mean something other than just slapping a V8 in it (fwd and all on top of that), maybe some different wheels, and calling it done. That's just not going to cut it these days.

As for the styling, it looks about as exciting as a glass of water to me. At least the LT1 version had some soul.

So...soul is a civilian-ized cop car version of a white-bread daily driver?

Just want to clear it up.

Sorry for the rant about Impy SS owners, but if people like that who own cars like those are ranting on a car like the '06, there heads are shoved way too far up their own a**.


A lot of that comes from frustration over the fact that GM was too f*cking stupid to continue improving the breed, and instead decided to go compete with every other FWD wuss-sedan on the planet. It's that whole abandonment thing. You'd think that F-body owners might understand that.

I'll be interested in knowing if anyone gives a rat's ass about the new Impala SS 10 years from now.

Sorry for ranting, but anyone who thinks that GM is great for shoving a V8 into an FWD jellybean also has their head pretty far up their a**.

So...soul is a civilian-ized cop car version of a white-bread daily driver?

Just want to clear it up.You ok there? If you disagree and don't like the LT1 version, why not just say that? Out of Midol or something?

And by the way - I never said the car was James Brown. I said it had some soul.

I've nothing against the LT1 B-Body. I almost bought a "Tri-9" 9C1 before I came across my Z. Just had some pent-up frustration to work out.

I'll try to say it differently (not being mean, just trying to get my point across).

Yes, the FWD SS probably isn't going to be worshipped in 10-20 years. But, I'll be willing to bet that when everyone bought their classic SSes, they weren't thinking "I'm going to keep this bone-stock, because in 30 years it'll be a collector's item." I'll bet the enthusiast's were going to strap every aftermarket part they could on it, just like today's enthusiasts. They're not going to think about collectability and wether or not it'll be worth something. They want bang-for-the-buck, and in the case of the Impy/Monte, practicality as well.

My view on the SS is that, yes, they were great vehicles stock, but were even better cars once you started strapping parts to it. Moral of the story is that I'm going to wait and see what the aftermarket can do with the '06 Impala SS before I call it a disgrace or not.

It's an impala. What do you expect? Camaro-like performance? Jesus christ this thing will be in 30% of the soccer mom's driveways to get groceries (yes I'm still talking about the SS/LS4). If you want GM LS4 with alittle more performance buy the sportier GXP... I don't understand any of this really?

And the old B-Bodys IMO were UUGGGGGLLYYYYY. I would take this 2006 design hands down over the old one, FWD and all.

Yeah I totally agree with this statement. I didn’t buy my GTP to perform like a Camaro or any other sports car.

I actually thought about this on the ride home from work yesterday.

My car covers a lot of segments of what I want in a car but nothing to the extreme.

It’s a fast car but not a tire shredder.

Its sporty but stylish at the same time.

It feels just as strong in a corner as my old Camaro, but the ride quality is so much smoother. Which just like the Impala needs to be. It’s my comfy Daily driver, NOT A RACE CAR!

Seriously why are we even having this covo? Take your WS6 to the autocross and your Impy to Walmart!


Dont hate on W-bodies ;)

A lot of that comes from frustration over the fact that GM was too f*cking stupid to continue improving the breed, and instead decided to go compete with every other FWD wuss-sedan on the planet. It's that whole abandonment thing. You'd think that F-body owners might understand that.

I'll be interested in knowing if anyone gives a rat's ass about the new Impala SS 10 years from now.

Sorry for ranting, but anyone who thinks that GM is great for shoving a V8 into an FWD jellybean also has their head pretty far up their a**.

That FWD jellybean looks pretty much as good as a B Body, with all due respect. I understand the abandonment issue, and I also understand the FWD vs. RWD debate.

However, I also understand that this car looks like its going to be pretty damn good, compete with the Charger on a handling and even acceleration basis (GXP = 5.9, Charger = 5.5-5.8), and do it for less money with a drive system that actually means the rust belt will like it.

I've got love for the '94-'96s...I also don't happen to think the new one is nearly the anti-christ some people think it is, either.

I think the problem is some of us focus on Impala, some of us focus on SS. Those of us that see SS expected something a little more along the lines of Super Sport. It's not too sporty, and not at all super, so if GM dropped the SS badge, I think we'd all be satisfied.

Me personally, I think the current Impys beat both the old 94-96 SSs and new ones. But back on the subject, I don't believe slightly bigger sway bars kill ride quality at all, so why not have them? The tires should have enough meat on them to handle them as well. Even if it is a 50$ bump on the price (hypothetical), just add it into the overall price and call it a day. I realize you can't do that with every part of a car, but jeesh, that thing looks like my sister's base cavalier would look like doing auto-x.

Yes, and most overglorify the SS badge.

I don't know when people are going to finally understand this???

SS DOES NOT MEAN RACECAR!!!

SS DOES NOT MEAN RACECAR!!!

SS DOES NOT MEAN RACECAR!!!

Now repeat 100 more times on the black board before you can go home... ;)


Let's not get into what SS should and should not be. Let's live with what it IS!

Yes, and most overglorify the SS badge.

I don't know when people are going to finally understand this???

SS DOES NOT MEAN RACECAR!!!

SS DOES NOT MEAN RACECAR!!!

SS DOES NOT MEAN RACECAR!!!

Now repeat 100 more times on the black board before you can go home... ;)


Let's not get into what SS should and should not be. Let's live with what it IS!

I agree,

RACE CAR = Z28 & Z06

Yes, and most overglorify the SS badge.

I don't know when people are going to finally understand this???

SS DOES NOT MEAN RACECAR!!!

SS DOES NOT MEAN RACECAR!!!

SS DOES NOT MEAN RACECAR!!!

Now repeat 100 more times on the black board before you can go home... ;)


Let's not get into what SS should and should not be. Let's live with what it IS!Repeat the following 100 times: NO ONE SAID IT DID!!!

First you spaz about SS not meaning racecar, but then say "let's not get into what SS should and should not be"? Then why is it on the car in the first place? Is it not meant to be considered? Just live with what is? If we just blindly followed along like good little sheep and just accepted everything, it'd be a pretty boring around here.

It can be a performance SPORTS sedan without being a race car. If they're going to put Super Sport on it, am I really asking too much that it be sporty in both appearance and performance? Or are my expectations too high? Perhaps yours too low?

A lot of that comes from frustration over the fact that GM was too f*cking stupid to continue improving the breed, and instead decided to go compete with every other FWD wuss-sedan on the planet. It's that whole abandonment thing. You'd think that F-body owners might understand that.

I'll be interested in knowing if anyone gives a rat's ass about the new Impala SS 10 years from now.

Sorry for ranting, but anyone who thinks that GM is great for shoving a V8 into an FWD jellybean also has their head pretty far up their a**.

I am surpised you take this view?

I wonder how much money the RWD Impala SS made for GM?

I bet it is nothing compared to what they have made of the FWD Impala which has three shifts running to make it right now.

I really think the percieved market for high HP large RWD sedans is much lower than the actual market.

One peice of evidence is the Maruader, which fell flat on it's ass.

Another peice of evidence is that if you look at the sales of the most popluar large RWD sedan out there, Chrysler's 300..the Impala still blows it out the water in terms of sales...and most likely profit. The Impala name has traditionaly been on GM's bread and butter sedan's...which is what the FWD Impala is. That being said...those who want a large RWD sedan from Chevy will be happy in a few years;).

A lot of that comes from frustration over the fact that GM was too f*cking stupid to continue improving the breed, and instead decided to go compete with every other FWD wuss-sedan on the planet. It's that whole abandonment thing. You'd think that F-body owners might understand that.

I'll be interested in knowing if anyone gives a rat's ass about the new Impala SS 10 years from now.

Sorry for ranting, but anyone who thinks that GM is great for shoving a V8 into an FWD jellybean also has their head pretty far up their a**.

Bra-flippin-vo!

GM's crowning gift to mankind, the V8/full-size car combo, THRIVED for 40 years. I mean, from 1955-1996, how many 150/210/Belairs, Caprices, Impalas, etc etc, did they sell? Not even including the Pontiac, Buick, and Olds versions.

Then, in a brilliant show of typical GM bean-counting, they decided, "Oh, updating that would be hard. Lets play follow the leader with Toyhonissan."

A last year B-Body has it's share of issues, but can you imagine a current-platform (probably unibody), fullsize car, with an LS2 and one of those new-fangled 6speed autos, going head to head with that rounded-off turd? THAT would be an SS to be proud of.

Oh wait. The Aussies'll be getting them soon. :mad:

I am surpised you take this view?

I wonder how much money the RWD Impala SS made for GM?

I bet it is nothing compared to what they have made of the FWD Impala which has three shifts running to make it right now.

I really think the percieved market for high HP large RWD sedans is much lower than the actual market.

One peice of evidence is the Maruader, which fell flat on it's ass.

Another peice of evidence is that if you look at the sales of the most popluar large RWD sedan out there, Chrysler's 300..the Impala still blows it out the water in terms of sales...and most likely profit. The Impala name has traditionaly been on GM's bread and butter sedan's...which is what the FWD Impala is. That being said...those who want a large RWD sedan from Chevy will be happy in a few years;).


I totally agree.

I think GM needs to have a RWD sedan in it's lineup (other than Cadillac), but it would have to be in addition to the FWD vehicles, and not as a replacement for them.

I agree with the real Impala SS guys. That thing just has no presense at all no matter what it can do, and of course, it drives the wrong wheels.

And yes. The SS name is really misunderstood.

Well, I think it looks sorta cool in that last picture, where it's turning right and the left front is fully compressed.

I like the old B-bodies alot, but to tell you the truth, I never found their handling to be phenomenal. And even the SS didn't feel that fast to me either.

Sure, I wish the new Impala was alittle sportier, but I'll wait to drive one before passing judgement.

And what exactly is SS supposed to mean anyway? This SS will be the most powerful FWD car that you can buy. With a very sweet V8. Not enough? I mean, what's the cut off to qualify for an SS? A '70 LS-6 Chevelle maybe...which now must handle like a Corvette...and lemme guess....cost $22,000?

Reminds me of a Cadillac Catera, especially the wheels :barf:
I couldn't find a pic of the wheels I saw on a Catera today, but they look EXACTLY like the SS wheels on the Impala, MC, and Cobalt. Except they were painted silver instead of chrome/polished. Maybe GM decided to save major money on design and tooling by using those leftover Catera castings. :rolleyes:

And what exactly is SS supposed to mean anyway? This SS will be the most powerful FWD car that you can buy. With a very sweet V8. Not enough? I mean, what's the cut off to qualify for an SS? A '70 LS-6 Chevelle maybe...which now must handle like a Corvette...and lemme guess....cost $22,000?I think of SS as performance oriented, a cut above in the performance and sport department - not just engine size. Other see it as... well, I don't know what.

The Impy SS will be the most powerful FWD car available, true. But honestly, I'd be happier with less power but more complete package. No, it doesn't have to run with a vette or an f body. But neither should it be a snooze inspiring weeble wobble.

Slapping a V8 on the front wheels and shoving it out the door does not a sports sedan make. To me anyway.

As for price, no, I wouldn't expect $22k.

So I probably don't understand SS after all and to be perfectly honest, I'd shop elsewhere for a performance sedan. Having that one strong point with the engine just isn't getting it for me.

Slapping a V8 on the front wheels and shoving it out the door does not a sports sedan make. To me anyway.



Yeah, I know what you're saying. I wish the Impy SS would get afew GXP chassis pieces. And I wish it had maybe more expressive styling. But honestly, I don't think it'll be a bad car.

And yes.....I know you've heard this before....but it really does looks better in person than in pictures.

We'll see.

What I would expect however, is if they're going to put the SS badge on there, it should mean something

We should know better by now. SS = Should Sell

We should know better by now. SS = Should Sell
:lol: I'm learning..

And what exactly is SS supposed to mean anyway? This SS will be the most powerful FWD car that you can buy. With a very sweet V8. Not enough? I mean, what's the cut off to qualify for an SS? A '70 LS-6 Chevelle maybe...which now must handle like a Corvette...and lemme guess....cost $22,000?


:bow: :bow: :bow:
look at the past...SS cars were never the top performers in all areas. they had big engines and went really fast. they were alittle heavy in the front end but could fly in a straight line. i don't see guys in chevelles or impalas on road courses. they go straight for a 1/4 mile and do it pretty good for factory cars. want a good handling car, let gm do what they did in the late 80s and early 90s, slap a z(insert mumber here) on the side, give it the biggest engine that'll fit and a decent suspension and you have your road course car.

I got ahistory lesson last night at a cruise: '64 or '65 Nova SS Convert with a 6 cylinder...

...so Chevy hasn't always reserved the SS badge for the rip snorting cars.

SS on an Impala is a level to give more performance and nicer options (Interior/Exterior).

You think Chevy would be that stupid to make the SS Impala have a *rough* ride.

It's an Impala, You put a rough ride on it and you'll sell a FEW more to enthusiasts, and a LOT LESS to the General Population who purchases these cars.

Impala IS a Family Car.

I guess this is what happens when you engineer a foot of ground clearance into a car...

That FWD jellybean looks pretty much as good as a B Body, with all due respect. I understand the abandonment issue, and I also understand the FWD vs. RWD debate.

However, I also understand that this car looks like its going to be pretty damn good, compete with the Charger on a handling and even acceleration basis (GXP = 5.9, Charger = 5.5-5.8), and do it for less money with a drive system that actually means the rust belt will like it.

I've got love for the '94-'96s...I also don't happen to think the new one is nearly the anti-christ some people think it is, either.


Most of us dont live in the rust belt, so piss on FWD. If I had to chose, I'll take the charger and pay more if I have to.

It looks like an Accord.

Damn...you beat me to it!!! A mid nineties on at that!!!

Funny thing with all the bad mouthing of the B-Bodies, i have a 96 black impala and get mor elooks and comments in that car then in any F body i or any of my freinds own COMBINED. The cars are classy and just look sinister. Most of the people talking in here have never driven an LT1 powered 9C1 or impala ss so they really shouldnt comment. Ive taken my 4200 lb whale of a car around some harsh curves and thrown it aorund highway lane changes at mind blowing speeds and the car took it better then my trans am does. Ya they dont run 13s out of the box. But with about 4-500 bux in mods you can be in the mid 14s all day. In a big luxurious car, with more room then any benz built in the 94-96 year, and could outrun pretty much anything but a f body/mustang in its day. The car was potent for its day especially considering its size and weight. Too bad it cant keep up with cars 10 years newer and much more advanced, especially since its already based on old school technology. That old school tech is a big part of why i bought taht car. I like big full frame cars with v-8 and rwd. :bow:

So im sorry it doesnt keep up with an f-body, but it wasnt ever intended too. It was the fastest in its class and faster then most any other car on the road in its day. So knock of all the bad talk and respect it for what it was. A big fast good handling awesome looking car FOR 1996, when it was made.

Ive taken my 4200 lb whale of a car around some harsh curves and thrown it aorund highway lane changes at mind blowing speeds and the car took it better then my trans am does.


OK Put down the Impala Crack Pipe! :p

Most of us dont live in the rust belt, so piss on FWD. If I had to chose, I'll take the charger and pay more if I have to.

How diplomatic :rolleyes:

I've got news for you...a large part of the U.S. population lives where it can snow at least some of the time. Many people prefer the advantages of FWD for situations like these. If you're selling cars, you'll take this into account. And if you're Chevy, you'll make both FWD and RWD cars, which they intend to do.

Look at a population map of the US, and see how densely populated the Rust Belt really is before making generalizations like that. Good to know you live in TN, but I have news for you...a lot of us don't.

Funny thing with all the bad mouthing of the B-Bodies, i have a 96 black impala and get mor elooks and comments in that car then in any F body i or any of my freinds own COMBINED. The cars are classy and just look sinister. Most of the people talking in here have never driven an LT1 powered 9C1 or impala ss so they really shouldnt comment. Ive taken my 4200 lb whale of a car around some harsh curves and thrown it aorund highway lane changes at mind blowing speeds and the car took it better then my trans am does. Ya they dont run 13s out of the box. But with about 4-500 bux in mods you can be in the mid 14s all day. In a big luxurious car, with more room then any benz built in the 94-96 year, and could outrun pretty much anything but a f body/mustang in its day. The car was potent for its day especially considering its size and weight. Too bad it cant keep up with cars 10 years newer and much more advanced, especially since its already based on old school technology. That old school tech is a big part of why i bought taht car. I like big full frame cars with v-8 and rwd. :bow:

So im sorry it doesnt keep up with an f-body, but it wasnt ever intended too. It was the fastest in its class and faster then most any other car on the road in its day. So knock of all the bad talk and respect it for what it was. A big fast good handling awesome looking car FOR 1996, when it was made.
Dude... I like Impala's, but I like reality too.

I know it wasn't diplomatic and I was just stirring the pot. I grew up in the rust belt (erie) and I know about snow and lake effect. We got 146 inches the last year I was there. The south and west will pass the northeast and great lakes in population soon if they allready haven't and it even though it snows here a few times a year that doesnt mean I need 4wd or even fwd. Thats what a posi is for. It should be standard on all rwd cars. I am just tired of GM throwing FWD junk at us. The GTO, CTS and Vette are the only cars I'd buy from them. They start at $33,000. Wheres the working mans car? The working man wants V-8 RWD four doors and room for five. Back when GM had a large chunk of the market thats what they did best. Then the accountants starting telling them how to build cars, they told them its cheaper to build a FWD. Thats when we got the chevy citation. Its been all down hill from there.

I think B-bodies with ZO6 rims are the shizz. If they went RWD again I think the car should be about a foot shorter and still come with the beefy 10 bolt.

More balanced with the engine in front, trans towards the middle, drive shaft in the middle, rear end in the rear, no torque steer, weight shift to the driven wheels during acceleration, rwd can be used to control understeer situations, not all jobs (braking, turning, power) are focused on just the one set...

Not to mention all the safety systems to help with situations like snow they have these days.

GM dropped the ball with this - especially when you take the TB SS into consideration. An SUV for Pete's sake! Tuned on the 'ring! Hello???

For a performance sedan, no fwd for me thanks.

Damn good post Kipp, I fully agree. I tolerate the colbalt SS, I think its a good car for the dollar but beyond that till you reach the GTO and CTS its a boring wasteland.