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How about a new Chevrolet Impala?

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This is the Chevy Caprice sold in Arabian markets. And it is a version of the Holden sedan we have here as the Pontiac G8.
With the death of Pontiac coming up, why not switching this good platform to Chevy?
Our Impala is pretty old, and this one would be a welcome change. And it’s RWD. It comes with the same 3.6 Liter V6 and even has an SS version for the V8. Just like the new Camaro.
Plus, it wouldn’t cost GM an arm and a leg to bring this over here. Maybe a new grille and voila!

Should this become the new US Impala?
What do you think?

Conversation 23 comments

  3. That's the extended length "luxury" version of the Commodore/VE called the Caprice, as there is another Chevy model identical to the G8 we get now but with a Chevy grille…the latter would be more fitting from a price, equipment, etc. perspective.

    But, that said, it all comes down to cost, marketing, and CAFE so it's unlikely. Really would be great, as the Malibu has taken over and our current old Impala is nothing but a bargain or fleet queen. Still, not likely.

    The Holden VE sedans are awesome (have an '09 G8 GT myself, and it's the best car I've ever had, as a total package…at a great price for the substance), and Holden DESPERATELY wants to build & sell more for export just like with the G8, but it's an odd situation right now. And a sad one.

  4. The rear already looks like the current Impala. I think it would be a fantastic replacement. They could also bring over the Ute as the El Camino (it should have been a Chevy all along, not a Pontiac).

  5. I think it would make a fine Craprice.

    I hope congress gives the go-ahed for the 2011 model before 2018 after they deliberate.

  6. I love the hood ornament. It makes me think of my grandma in her virgin mary blue 1977 caprice classic.

  7. “It’s the only common sense idea, which means GM won’t be adopting it. ”

    – you made my day, couldn’t have said it better myself

  11. Great idea, but what do I know. This would make a great Impala. I would stick with the shorter G8 version though. This long wheelbase version may be a tad heavy. I hear they may still make the G8, or a version of it, for police duty.

  12. The fron grill and lights are straight copy/paste from Mercedes C-class.

    Mate, everythings a copy and paste from everything else. Statesman is a bit older than the C Class.

  14. Simple Solution:

    Call the Short Wheelbase version the Impala (It’s smaller, it will revive it’s lost “Sporty” image)

    Call the LWB version the Caprice (or make it a Buick in the US as the Park Avenue like they do in China to alleviate intra-brand competition of the same platform).

    Problem solved.

    Either way they have planned to discontinue the W-body platform, so there’s nothing to lose!

    They should use Ford’s mistake as an example. Instead of wasting money to create a new body from scratch on yet ANOTHER Epilson II vehicle, they can bring these over with adjusted grills….which is something they seem to do very well already! Ford made the mistake of making a new body for the old Focus for the US (originally planned to save money over importing the Euro Focus) and went WAY over budget! They would be in better standing if we shared the Euro Focus (2nd Gen) today!

  15. it’s an attractive vehicle that ppl will want to buy, it will be cost efficient since they don’t need to develpo anything new, and this vehicle makes so much sense as an impala.

    which means this vehicle is the total opposite of what GM wants to offer, so there’s no chance of seeing this ever coming true

  16. I don’t understand why they don’t at least try to sell some of these vehicles – El Camino, Buick ( long wheel base ) Chevy ( like a G8 ).

    All they have to do is throw them on a boat, and if they sell you ship more. Probably won’t save the company but wouldn’t every little bit help?

  17. Nice & Conservative on the outside but Stark as a Honda on the inside. It would need a CTS interior to make it in the US (unless they price it with Hyundai & Honda).

  18. Is the current Impala old enough to vote yet? When that happens they’ll cancel the car and replace it with something else goofy.

  20. I now care less and less about ANY General Motors product. As a lifelong GM owner my days of buying from the General are, sadly, over. The boneheaded management helped steer the company down the path of destruction, and now the remaining execs want a handout. Fritz isn’t a car guy. He’s a well-trained bean counter who will add and slice any product just to make the books look good. And after reading the Wall Street Journal and learning that shareholder value will be almost zero in the reorganized company, I no longer need or want to be part of this shameless group. They have all destroyed my stock value. Most of all they have destroyed my respect. Let them all rot in bankruptcy.

  21. Anonymous said…
    I now care less and less about ANY General Motors product. As a lifelong GM owner my days of buying from the General are, sadly, over. The boneheaded management helped steer the company down the path of destruction, and now the remaining execs want a handout. Fritz isn’t a car guy. He’s a well-trained bean counter who will add and slice any product just to make the books look good. And after reading the Wall Street Journal and learning that shareholder value will be almost zero in the reorganized company, I no longer need or want to be part of this shameless group. They have all destroyed my stock value. Most of all they have destroyed my respect. Let them all rot in bankruptcy.

    May 6, 2009 11:44 AM

    Another satisfied GM customer…

  22. This car would be just right for this market with a new nose to fit it in the family with the Malibu. Should do the trick for police and taxi work too.

  23. VINCE, ACTUALLY IT WOULD COST $0 TO GM. THEY ALREADY SELL IT (PONTIAC G8) AS CHEVY OMEGA IN BRAZIL..

    SEE SOME PICTURES:

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