2008 Chevrolet Impala 50th Anniversary Edition....Yawn!

2008 Chevrolet Impala 50th Anniversary Edition
A front-drive V-6 Impala to recall glory days of the past.

BY JAKE HOLMES, Car and Driver December 2007

The Impalas of today are a far cry from their rear-wheel-drive forebears such as the first stand-alone 1959 model with a 355-hp, 348-cubic-inch V-8 or even the 1961 “SS” model that tore up drag strips with a 409-inch V-8 that inspired the Beach Boys’ song “409.” Gone, too, are the coupe and convertible models that used to fill Chevy dealerships.

But in a wave of nostalgia, Chevy plans to introduce the Impala 50th Anniversary Edition at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

The anniversary model uses the same 3.5-liter V-6 and four-speed automatic of the regular Impala LT on which it’s based. But with only 211 horsepower powering the front wheels, there’s little similarity to Impalas of yore.

That didn’t stop Chevrolet from increasing the sporting factor. The anniversary model gets anti-lock brakes (they’re only optional on the LT) and the FE3 sport suspension normally reserved for the Impala SS. A trunk spoiler and 18-inch chrome wheels add to the sporting image.

It’ll be hard to miss these anniversary Impalas with all their nostalgic touches. The doorsill plates, the C-pillars, and the front headrests wear “50th Anniversary” badges. The car also gets two-tone leather seats and ebony carpeting and floor mats.

So, essentially, aside from an eight-way power driver’s seat and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, this special Impala is an LT with some extra options.

The 50th Anniversary model will go on sale this spring, a last hurrah of sorts before the next-gen Impala potentially shifts to GM’s Zeta global rear-wheel-drive architecture, a move that has been in question following program delays over concerns about new fuel-economy and emissions standards.



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:tired: OMG what a waste. They could have atleast based off of the SS model, gave it a chrome mesh type grille, performance exhaust w/ a nice V8 rumble, and maybe some exclusive colors like Crimson Tintcoat.

This is how GM has always done anniversary models. Is it any surprise?

What's funny is, that with all the moaning about the V6 FWD Impala I am sure the car would give a lot of those V8 Impalas from the 60's a real run for their money....

Those 18's look great on the Impala's , Ive seen them on a ton of em local . They look so much better than the ugly SS wheels .

I should trade in my '96 for one of these.

This is how GM has always done anniversary models. Is it any surprise?

What's funny is, that with all the moaning about the V6 FWD Impala I am sure the car would give a lot of those V8 Impalas from the 60's a real run for their money....

Well I didn't expect much, actually I didn't even know about it just happen to come across it during a search this evening. Anyways the W-Bodies are on there last leg, so I didn't expect GM to throw much money into them. However anniversary editions usually go with the top trim level of the model, and this is not the case.

A 50th anniversary is a HUGE milestone and only happens once and most models never reach this milestone. Plus this car is being unveiled at NAIAS!.....and will probably be the laughing stock of the show.

I doubt the 3.5L V6 would outrun many of the V8 Impalas of the past, but the 3.9L is a lot more capable, but there is no mention of it being available on the Anniversary Package.

I think a Grand Prix GXP suspension spec Impala SS woulda been more appropriate .

I suppose you thought it would be more spectacular...like the 50th anniversary Corvette:

http://www.edmunds.com/media/advice/specialreports/colors.bright.future/photo.4.500.jpg
http://www.autobytel.com/images/carPics/TestDrv/Lyons/ChevyCorvette/2003_Corvette_50th_logo_700w.JPG

Well at least the Corvette got special paint, magnetic shocks, and a nicely upgraded interior.

Yeah, pretty weak for a 50 year anniversary!

Dan

"Swiiiiiiing and a miss......"

Since the Impala was out of production for 15 or 20 of those 50 years, it seems a little odd to celebrate an anniversary. Maybe we'll get a decent model once it celebrates 50 actual years of production.

Those 18's look great on the Impala's , Ive seen them on a ton of em local . They look so much better than the ugly SS wheels .

I agree the car look great with those rims. At least this is one package that won't cost a fortune.

Another reason Zeta should have come sooner.

I should trade in my '96 for one of these.

:lol:

This is how GM has always done anniversary models. Is it any surprise?

What's funny is, that with all the moaning about the V6 FWD Impala I am sure the car would give a lot of those V8 Impalas from the 60's a real run for their money....

Well... I can think of one anniversary car that wasn't just cosmetic...

http://home.kc.rr.com/ginfo/25th20thta.jpg

Ahem... it's uh, the one on the right... I'm just kinda partial to the other... :p

EDIT: Damn I miss that car.

Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

When I clicked on the link, I was thinking "ok, some special paint, 2 tone leather and some special wheels and badging on an SS...sweet!"

Uhm, why did they even bother?

Man what sounds sadder than the car is the trim they base it on that doesn't have ABS and is stuck with a four speed auto.

:tired:

Wow, using the base LT as the 50th. Why not use the SS? Or better yet, if it's a color/trim package, make it available across the board for all trim levels?

This would have been like GM celebrating the Camaros 35th anniversary w/ a V6 model w/ SS wheels. I don't mind minimal anniversary packages like this, but I'd prefer them on across the board, or on the top model only.

:no:

Lame... :tired:

I have to say... I'm completely stunned.

Impala is one of the longest running names in the auto industry... not just the US, but the world. There's some places you go to on the planet, and mention the word Impala, and if the person doesn't think of a Gazelle-like creature, they think of either a 50s or 60s era Chevrolet. With a V8.

General Motors Corperation places such a high regard for that nema that they not only brought it back as a special and pretty dramatic performance version of a Caprice, but they booted a name that had built alot of reputation at the time (Lumina) and named it's replacement Impala.

I expected a 50th anniversary edition to at least have the pizzaz over regular Impalas that the mid 90s Impala SS had over the Caprice. A unique grille (I like the metalic wiremesh idea) and based on the V8 Impala SS would have been cheap, tasteful, and in Chevrolet fashion, typically minimalist.

I don't understand why GM didn't go for a little more umph for a 50th anniversary model for such a historic nameplate. It wouldn't have cost very much.

I have to say... I'm completely stunned.

Impala is one of the longest running names in the auto industry... not just the US, but the world. There's some places you go to on the planet, and mention the word Impala, and if the person doesn't think of a Gazelle-like creature, they think of either a 50s or 60s era Chevrolet. With a V8.

General Motors Corperation places such a high regard for that nema that they not only brought it back as a special and pretty dramatic performance version of a Caprice, but they booted a name that had built alot of reputation at the time (Lumina) and named it's replacement Impala.

I expected a 50th anniversary edition to at least have the pizzaz over regular Impalas that the mid 90s Impala SS had over the Caprice. A unique grille (I like the metalic wiremesh idea) and based on the V8 Impala SS would have been cheap, tasteful, and in Chevrolet fashion, typically minimalist.

I don't understand why GM didn't go for a little more umph for a 50th anniversary model for such a historic nameplate. It wouldn't have cost very much.


Excellent post, and my feelings exactly.

Even though the W-Body is on its last leg, it wouldn't have cost that much to jazzed up the SS model for the 50th Anniversary.

I bet we will see these Impala LT 50th Anniversary models mostly on rental lots.

All they needed was the Bilstein Shocks and PBR Brakes from the GXP, a Caddy V-like wiremesh grill and maybe a performance oriented exhaust or some few little things and people would be drooling over it. I honestly can't fathom the amount of stupidity needed to create a 50th car this crappy.

:no:

They didn't even try.

Pretty sad excuse for a 50th anniversary car. Looks like your everyday front wheel drive Chevy :(

its rice...all just stickers ;) hehehe

All they needed was the Bilstein Shocks and PBR Brakes from the GXP, a Caddy V-like wiremesh grill and maybe a performance oriented exhaust or some few little things and people would be drooling over it. I honestly can't fathom the amount of stupidity needed to create a 50th car this crappy.The shocks and brakes would have been an excellent idea. Either that or a better base car to start with...

or give it fender vents....every cool car has fender vents now....

If you're not going to do something right, don't bother.

The Impala is a good car for what it is, but this "50th" garbage is actually insulting.

And sad....

I should trade in my '96 for one of these.

:p


A fully loaded 08 Imp SS is just over $32k. A Grand Prix GXP is about a grand less.

An 08 Imp SS with a 50th Anniversary option could have been over $35k (with dealers charging as much as, if not more than, $40k)

GM is missing a chance to make money. Pretty sad indeed.

From GM's Press Release

CHEVROLET MARKS 50 YEARS OF THE IMPALA WITH COMMEMORATIVE EDITION
DETROIT – An iconic brand of America’s automotive market for half a century, Chevrolet’s venerable Impala celebrates its golden anniversary in 2008. Chevy is recognizing the milestone with a commemorative model.

Like the original 1958 edition, the 2008 Impala 50 th Anniversary Edition is distinguished with unique trim and amenities, giving customers a special product infused with the fun-to-drive spirit that has characterized the Impala for half a century.

“Chevrolet is thrilled to mark 50 years of the Impala,” said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. “Few brands can claim such a heritage and throughout the decades, Impala has always stood for the value, performance and style that has made Chevrolet America’s car.”

The Impala 50 th Anniversary Edition goes on sale in spring 2008. It is based on the popular and well-equipped Impala LT, with the following unique and standard features:

FE3 Sport Suspension (replaces the FE1 Touring Suspension)
Four-wheel ABS
Eighteen-inch alloy wheels (replaces 16-inch wheels)
Rear spoiler
“50 th Anniversary” Impala badge on the C-pillar
Two-tone, leather-trimmed seats and “50 th” logo embroidered on the front headrests
Eight-way power-adjustable driver seat (replaces six-way adjustability)
Leather-wrapped steering wheel with accent-color thread (includes audio controls)
Ebony carpet
Ebony floor mats with accent threading
“50 th” Anniversary emblem on the sill plates
Two premium exterior colors: Black Granite Metallic or Red Jewel Tintcoat
The 50 th Anniversary Impala also includes a one-year upgrade to the OnStar Directions and Connections package, including Turn-by-Turn Navigation.

Also standard is the Impala’s convenient flip-and-fold rear seats, the cushions of which flip forward to reveal a storage tub that serves as a covered storage area beneath the seat and offers convenient grocery bag hooks. A generous pass-through from the trunk can be created by flipping the seat bottoms forward and the seat backs flat – an exclusive feature in the midsize segment.

The 50 th Anniversary Impala is powered by a refined and efficient 3.5L V-6, rated at 211 horsepower (157 kW)* and 214 lb.-ft. (290 Nm)* of torque. Vehicles with federal emissions systems in the United States are equipped with the 3.5L engine, which is compatible with E85 ethanol fuel, allowing the vehicle to run on any combination of gasoline and/or E85.

When using gasoline only, the 3.5L-equipped Impala is EPA-rated at 29 mpg on the highway.

Impala history

Introduced in 1958 as a premium package for the full-size Bel Air, the Impala was an immediate sales success, selling approximately 60,000 units. It was designated a stand-alone model in 1959 and offered top-of-the-line amenities and performance, including a 335-horsepower (250 kW), 348-cubic-inch (5.7L) V-8 engine. Sales increased to approximately 175,000.

As Chevrolet’s full-size platform evolved throughout the 1960s, so did the Impala. The model range included coupes, sedans and convertibles – with early-year models distinguished by their six-taillamp rear styling. Other full-size Chevy models had only four taillamp lenses.

In 1961, the performance-oriented Impala SS was introduced. Today, it is considered by many to be one of the first true muscle cars, with power coming from a variety of standard and optional engines, including a 409-inch V-8 that produced one horsepower per cubic inch. Only 142 409-powered SS models were built that inaugural year, but 409-powered Impalas would go on to be scourge of drag strips across the country and the subject of a popular song.

For 1965, the full-size platform was redesigned and the Impala was all-new. Customers responded to the sleek, new design with enthusiasm. More than 1 million Impalas were sold that model year, setting a sales record that has since gone unmatched.

New-generation Impalas were introduced in 1971 and 1977, with the ’77 models featuring “downsized” styling that still offered full-size accommodation, but with more compact and efficient exterior dimensions. The re-sized Impalas carried the brand into the mid-1980s, when the name was changed to Caprice.

The Impala returned in 1994 as the high-performance Impala SS – a sinister-looking muscle car built with the heavy-duty powertrain and suspension components of the Caprice police car package. It was a sellout success for three consecutive model years, bowing out only with the end of production of GM’s full-size rear-drive platform.

After a three-year hiatus, the Impala name returned again for 2000 on Chevy’s full-size, front-drive architecture. That seventh-generation Impala proved popular, but greater success came with the refined eighth-generation model, which was introduced for 2006.

Sales jumped nearly 18 percent in 2006, reaching nearly 290,000 units. Sales increased again in 2007, up more than 11 percent through November and challenging the sales rate of key competitors such as the Honda Accord.

Chevrolet is one of America’s best-known and best-selling automotive brands. With the largest dealer network in the United States, Chevy is the leader in full-size trucks and the leader in sales of vehicles priced $35,000 and above. Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle category, offering cars and trucks priced from $9,995 to $83,175. Chevy delivers expressive design, spirited performance and great value with standard features usually found only on more expensive vehicles. More information on Chevrolet can be found at www.chevrolet.com.


:rolleyes:

Chevrolet delivers more-than-expected value in every vehicle category, offering cars and trucks priced from $9,995 to $83,175.

I just noticed this statement in the end of the press release. What costs $83,175 in the Chevy lineup...ZR1? My first thought was Z06 but I thought a Z06 topped out in the 70K+ range. And the ZR1 is suppose to be $100K so that isn't right. The only thing I can think of maybe its a Z06 with the custom leather interior/dash.