Cleaned Up and Ready for Duty
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| The new 2006 Impala and Monte Carlo were introduced at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show by General Motors North America President Gary Cowger. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
Despite being popular among police fleet buyers and NASCAR aficionados respectively, the current Chevrolet Impala is overwhelmed by much of its competition.
GM expects its new 2006 Impala, introduced next to a revised Monte Carlo on January 5th at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show, will find a much broader spectrum of buyers due to improved performance, an all-new interior and updated styling.
"The '06 Impala and Monte Carlo deliver more of what customers want from a large sedan or coupe - uncompromising roominess, but with the performance and styling of a sports car," commented Chevrolet general manager Brent Dewar.
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| GM is expecting the new Impala to attract a much broader spectrum of buyers. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
Chevy has cleaned up the look of both cars, with each appearing nearly identical to one another from the front. A thin, horizontal grille opening is understated, yet adds a sporty touch to what is otherwise a fairly conservative design. SS models get a racier lower valance that integrates a second horizontal grille opening, filled with a black-diamond crosshatch pattern - a treatment that mirrors that in the upper SS grille.
Both cars feature large, wrap-around headlight clusters integrating three independent lighting units each, creased to conform to the sculpted lines of the hood and front fenders. And that's about where the similarities end, with the 4-door Impala featuring more conservative sheetmetal from front to back, not unlike a cleaner looking Honda Accord.
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| A subtle decklid spoiler is also added in the LTZ trim level, as well as with the top-line SS. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
That is especially true of the Impala's rear three-quarter view, where its triangular taillights feature a thin horizontal clear lens strip that flow towards the center to meet a classy chrome accent in LTZ trim - a really nice touch. A subtle decklid spoiler is also added in this trim level, as well as with the top-line SS. It is available with the LT.
The greenhouse features the BMW-like Hofmeister kink at the rear quarter window, first introduced on a Chevy product with the performance-oriented black-on-black '94 to '96 Impala SS.
