How about a RWD car that is half way between a Impala and Malibu and called Chevelle.

 

Glad I didn't have to be the one to say it.

http://www.candgunderground.com/

 

The problem here is that the Impala has become an honest-to-goodness successful brand. Who woulda thunk it? How easy this decision would be if the Impala was a flop. But the Impala's brand image must be protected and nurtured now. You could make the argument that RWD should be the next step.

All I know, is if I could buy a good looking, RWD, Impala (do I dare ask for a manual trans?), I'd buy it TODAY. That's just me though, I'm only buying one - not 300,000.

We'll see if the next Malibu can take the current Impala's slot.

 

My thinking as well. If the malibu can grow a little bigger in size to satisfy current impala owners, then i think/hope that kinda clears the way for a Rwd Impala. It's probably not that simple, but oh well. With the Cobalt growing in size too, it's kinda creeping up on the malibu in terms of size. With the Aveo, Cobalt, and malibu 4 door Fwd lineup, i think there's just enough Fwd variety there that making the Impala into a Rwd car won't hurt as much.

Plus, if they do what Chrysler and Ford did and offer an AWD option on the Rwd Impala, bad weather concerns won't be as big. AWD is something that the Ford Five hundred and Chrysler 300 sedans already offer. From what i've heard, it's a fairly popular option on the Five hundred. Another thing i'd like to see would be a sporty wagon version of the Impala with a v8, Rwd (AWD optional), and good styling. I think that would be a good addition to the line much like the Dodge magnum was to the LX sedans. I kinda liked the 90's caprice v8 wagons, but would like to see something more sportier in terms of looks and performance...something in line with the Magnum. People now a days are moving away from Minivans and SUV's and into crossovers and wagons so this should be something GM should look into.

Imo, the LX platforms success is no surprise. People will BUY RWD. And with a Rwd option, bad weather concerns won't be much of a concern at all.

 

No, Impala should remain a Camry competitor and Pontiac should get the 300C/BMW competitor (they are supposed to be American BMW right?)
To elaborate, what might be ideal is a car that is platform/badge engineered like the LX line. Charger like car for Pontiac, then the 300C at Buick. Perhaps you could even base both of of a Cadillac... Whereas the Caddy has Luxury and performance, the Pontiac is deconted to performance and the Buick is more entry luxury.

 

Hemi sales accounted for +30% of LX cars, so that is what 6000+ cars? Wow, that sounds like a decision maker. I bet the people who bought the V6 cars bought them for either the price or the better gas milage. I would be amazed if a RWD/AWD Impala V8 didn't get much better milage then what a Hemi LX car gets.

I don't see this as a difficult decision either. The Impala is Avalon size, not Camry size, that is what the Malibu is for. I never see Avalon sales knocking down the door for Toyota. If there is one car that is related to Toyota it is Camry. How about Chrysler LX sales verse LH sales, did they fall moving to the LX? Also, how does someone lose space when going to a RWD platform? I never heard about this concern in the review of the LX cars? If anything the longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs, like suggested in this artical, is a plus You will move any useless area to a useful area by making the wheelbase longer and shorting the overhanges.

Also, they talk about winter driving and talk about RWD. Now, I know most people don't know how to drive a RWD in the snow, but that is why AWD is offered. BTW, how bad of a drive does someone have to be to get in trouble in a car that not only has traction control, but also stability control? A friend of mine drove his 98Z through ice and snow here is KS with all season tires, and he only had traction control.

With TC and stability control on todays cars, I don't see RWD being that bad and even if it is, you can get a AWD car. I thought AWD was the be all of end all when it comes to what wheels are driving the car? The mags sure make that out to be. So it is a win, win if you offer not only RWD but also AWD.

I just don't see the problem like the above artical does.

 

How do you figure?

The car that's related to Chevy is the Impala.

Bigger center hump for tranny, drive shaft, exhaust, rear diff.

[QUOTE=mastrdrver]I never heard about this concern in the review of the LX cars? If anything the longer wheelbase and shorter overhangs, like suggested in this artical, is a plus You will move any useless area to a useful area by making the wheelbase longer and shorting the overhanges.[QUOTE]

Define useful area. Longer wheel base + same length could equall more interior room but smaller trunk. Not a value trade off here IMO.

Very bad. And there's alot out there.

Wow, he's an ace. Kansas is only the flattest state in the union. Ever see a RWD car struggle to get going if stopped on any kind on incline? I've seen plenty.

[QUOTE=mastrdrver]With TC and stability control on todays cars, I don't see RWD being that bad and even if it is, you can get a AWD car. I thought AWD was the be all of end all when it comes to what wheels are driving the car? The mags sure make that out to be. So it is a win, win if you offer not only RWD but also AWD.[QUOTE]

AWD = price, weight and complexity.

 

why do they always talk about gas prices affecting a V8 version when GM has a 30 mpg V8 in it's bag o tricks???

Hell the Imp has the 5.3L V8 now and gets over 30, doesn't it?

 

Nail hit squarely on the head! A RWD Bonneville styled and optioned correctly with an LSx powerplant is a BMW 5 contender and possible killer if executed properly!

The Impala in its current form is not a bad car and it is making money- something GM can't afford to radically change. As for a Chevy RWD version I agree I'd be more inclined to buy an Impala if it was RWD. But someone else already mentioned another viable option- Caprice or even Chevelle. The issue is between the current Impala and Malibu offerings, most view them as too similar. Shrink the Impala/grow the Malibu and consolidate them to pave the way for a new RWD offering. This would leave Cobalt, Impala (with a luxury/value Malibu option pkg?) and Caprice (with Chevelle sport pkg)!
Before anyone points it out, I seem to remember Malibu being a package on the Chevelle, wasn't it?!

Just a couple of thoughts.....

Allen

 

28, and give me "close enough". Milage will be an increasing advantage from here on out.

 

The Impala is great, but it Can't cover an area from Camry to 300c...RWD or not, it's just not large enough for the one, if made larger, would be too large for the other.
It NEEDS to seat FIVE....my wife was completely astonished that 9 of 10 vehicles at NAIAS were set up with 4 bucket-type seats...even in a Lucerne. Even if it looked like a bench, it had an uncomfortable hard center or hump in the rear seat.(We have 3(three) children(small adults not toddlers).
The Impala covers the FWD, Camry/Accord/Avalon, young family crowd, and the upsize would compete with the 300c/Charger/Crown Vic/Grand marc niche.
You could make it just a little closer to the 300c size, make it seat 5 comfortably, make it RWD/V8, larger wheels/tires...call it a Belair, for all I care, just don't call it late for the party.

 

I heard the malibu might go RWD, so why would the Imp stay FWD while it's little sister goes RWD? sense makes no.

 

You heard wrong.

 

Any issue Chevy has with a FWD Impala should be completely addressed with a gotta have all new Malibu . Once and for all these 2 models need more distance . If Chevy put all the cards in the Mailbu for FWD , Accord and Camry fighter and it actually was "THEE" midsize car to have , maybe the Malibu would garner some 400,000 plus sales like the Camry . Then put full effort in a desireable RWD Impala without the pressure of it having to sell like the current Impala .

Impala = Charger level

G8 or a buick = 300C land

 

Exactly.