But the Malibu already has a longer wheelbase than Impala:

2009 Chevrolet Malibu 4dr Sedan LT w/1LT Dimensions
Vehicle Details
EPA Classification Midsize

Interior Dimensions Details
Front Hip Room (in) 53.0
Second Leg Room (in) 37.6
Front Shoulder Room (in) 55.9
Second Head Room (in) 37.2
Second Shoulder Room (in) 53.9
Passenger Volume (ft³) 97.7
Second Hip Room (in) 52.1
Front Leg Room (in) 42.2
Front Head Room (in) 39.4
Passenger Capacity 5

Exterior Dimensions Details
Length, Overall (in) 191.8
Wheelbase (in) 112.3
Liftover Height (in) - TBD -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in) 70.3
Height, Overall (in) 57.1
Tread Width, Rear (in) 60.0
Tread Width, Front (in) 59.6
Min Ground Clearance (in) - TBD -

Cargo Area Dimensions Details
Trunk Volume (ft³) 15.1

2009 Chevrolet Impala 4dr Sedan 3.5L LT Dimensions
Vehicle Details
EPA Classification Large

Interior Dimensions Details
Front Hip Room (in) 56.4
Second Leg Room (in) 37.6
Front Shoulder Room (in) 58.7
Second Head Room (in) 37.8
Second Shoulder Room (in) 58.6
Passenger Volume (ft³) 104.5
Second Hip Room (in) 57.2
Front Leg Room (in) 42.3
Front Head Room (in) 39.4
Passenger Capacity 5

Exterior Dimensions Details
Length, Overall (in) 200.4
Wheelbase (in) 110.5
Liftover Height (in) - TBD -
Width, Max w/o mirrors (in) 72.9
Height, Overall (in) 58.7
Tread Width, Rear (in) 61.5
Tread Width, Front (in) 62.4
Min Ground Clearance (in) - TBD -

Cargo Area Dimensions Details
Trunk Volume (ft³) 18.6

The Impala is slightly wider with a bigger trunk, but most of the interior dimensions are similar.

Perhaps if GM were to develop a Malibu wagon, perhaps even offer AWD as an option, would there even be an sensible business case for a FWD Impala?

 

We're talking about next generation Impala and Malibu here....

 

Theortically? Yes. However, my point was that there isn't enough difference between the two to justify the FWD Impala's existence moving forward. Especially when you consider GM's financial position and the fact they already developed a Buick than could easily replace the current outdated Impala.

 

Okay. I didn't manage to infer that point from your post.

There has always been a full size Chevy of some sort, but maybe they won't need one any more, or maybe the Malibu will be considered full size.

I think it would take some market research to tell. Either way, the only Impala I'd be interested in would one based on an Alpha.

 

Considering that Alpha will be smaller in size (between Malibu and Cruze?) than the current Impala, perhaps a Chevrolet Alpha should be called something else altogether.

 

Yes sir, I think you're right!

This was a reaction to some silly Alpha speculation -- on GMI, I think.