Feast your eyes on what could be the world’s first glimpse at the next Chevrolet Impala.
Sighted undergoing hot weather testing in the Southwest, the full-size sedan mule looks quite far along in its gestation, with a bold new front graphic that matches nicely with the noses on Chevrolet’s GMT900 SUVs. Our shooter indicates that it is definitely a Chevy, having gotten up close and personal with it at a gas station, and seeing the outline of the brand’s fabled Bowtie underneath the camouflage tape. It could also be argued that the front-end has been influenced by 2003’s Chevrolet SS Concept that debuted in Detroit, though the vehicle seen here lacks the showcar’s racy roofline, short rear deck and pronounced fenders.
In fact, Hans Lehmann’s people over at Hidden Image even managed to sneak a look under the mystery machine, confirming that it is indeed front-wheel drive. Oddly, this doesn’t doesn’t gibe with prevailing rumors indicating that the next Impala and Monte Carlo will switch drive axles. The photog also was able to discern that it was both wider and longer and the current model, a fact that appears readily evident from the photos. Strangely, however, we don’t have any interior shots at this time.
(Click through to the jump for a ton of addition photographs and details!)
The unidentified tester does beg a few questions, however. The roofline and rump of the car bear a striking resemblance to the Buick Lucerne (based on General Motors’ aging G-body platform), which is odd, considering this model is likely at least a model year away from production (the current Impala just received a substantial nip/tuck for 2006). One might be tempted to label the car as a foreign-market offering, what with the side repeating turn signal indicators on the front fenders, but the rear license plate cutout wouldn’t accommodate most foreign plates. The head and tail lamps are reportedly ‘cobbled up’ parts that appear to have no production properties, so they offer little help. The final mystery? The vehicle seen here was shod with Hankook Optima shoes… a tire choice common on Korean marques, but not often seen on OEM Chevrolets. So, the question remains… is this the next Impala, or is this a replacement for the Malibu– or another offering altogether?
Regardless of what Chevrolet it is, Its larger size and bolder styling could be just the thing to combat the Ford Five Hundred, and Daimler-Chrysler’s LX-platform cars.
Given how advanced the tester appears to be in development, we’re betting on a 2008 model year designation. If it is the next Imp, that will give the current revamp a short shelf life. But with the turnaround efforts at GM in full swing, the company may be pushing their big sedan to the head of the priority queue.
(Tip: Click on each photo for high-resolution images)
If that’s the new Impala (and it sure looks like it is, with that bowtie and the round taillamps), well, color me impressed. The shape of the big grille makes me think of the SS Concept from a few years back.
The haters will find reasons to rip on it, but there’s no pleasing everyone.
[…] ## Source: Winding Road ## […]
I see from the spy shots that this vehicle will be sleeker and with a more agressive stance.
What I can’t understand is this: I thought that the next Impala was going rear-wheel drive and being built on the Zeta platform, recently unveiled with that incredible new Holden line. Perhaps this is an intro prior to the Zeta-based line, or maybe the front-drive will run along-side the Zeta models, like maybe a Caprice and Impala… just speculation.
Just wondering, because I’ve been hearing so much about the Zeta line liiking like this:
Chevrolet: Camaro, Impala & large coupe (Chevelle or Monte Carlo)
Pontiac: Next GTO, Grand Prix successor(G8?) and possible new Firebird
Buick: Large premium sedan
That would really be a much welcomed and respected product line to be added to GM!
That is not the 2008 Impala, it is the 2008 Mailbu. Just look at the car connection’s web site in their spy pics section. This car has already been identified as the next Malibu. The reason it is front wheel drive is because that is the Epsilon platform. It is pretty widely known that the next Impala will not be out for at least 2-3 more years, that it is most likely going to be built on the Zeta platform and it will most likely be RWD and/or AWD.
Regardless. The car looks great. I can’t wait to see the interior in detail. The hollywood extra’s website already has pics of the interior and it too looks very impressive.
Impala or Caprice? Why would they move the Impala from the 20 year old W platform to the nearly as old G? It’s either an all new platform or a different model.
*rolls eyes*
Here we go again. This is not the Impala. It’s the ‘08 Malibu.
KGP messed it up first:
http://www.thecarconnection.com/Enthusiasts/Spy_Shots/Spy_Shots_2008_Chevrolet_Impala.S178.A10490.html
Now Hans.
There is little doubt in my mind that the vehicle in these photos very strongly resemble the saturn Aura sedan. in that case, considering that the Aura is based on the Epsilon platform, which also underpins the Saab 9-3, the Pontiac G6, the Opel Vectra, and the CHEVROLET MALIBU it is safe to assume that it is in Fact Not the Imapala, it would be the Malibu.
Oh, and Pontiac doesn’t make a Lucerne, That would be Buick. (the platform partner from pontiac would the the Grand Prix.) The Grand Prix is set to be replaced with a RWD model based on the Zeta platform, seeing as how the Grand Prix and Impala have been built on the same platform for quite a while, it is likely that the Impala will also be a RWD sedan. Therefore once again, i am led to believe that this is in fact the Chevrolet Malibu.
I’m not a hater…. but I don’t see much of a difference from this to a Lucerne. This is the same crap that got GMN in the trouble in the 80’s cookie cutter cars.
There is a definate Zeta influence in the styling. I can see some of the VW Holden Commodore on some of side profiles, but the rest looks quite Chevrolet. The Hankook’s are a strange choice, but it makes me wonder if there is a tire test on some variants for different vendors. Otherwise, it is a good decoy courtesy of GMDAT and GM.
that front end with the bar is so played out.
the car looks old already.
Excellent start. Establishing a brand (Chevy) facial I.D.is escential…..and this one finally looks nice..
I do wish Chevorlet would make a (at least) a “coupe” version of the Impala model, along with the 4-door….Not sure why they stopped.
This is the ‘08 malibu. Impala will be RWD in next generation maybe around ‘10.
Wow,
Looking at the pics, I was hit with the similarity to the recently announced Holden Statesman (indeed, from the Australian GM make). Roofline, doors and the (hidden) small window behind the rear door, it all fits with the Statesman.
For years, Daewoo has been selling a badge engineered version in S-Korea of the former Statesman, so consider it very likely that they will do so with the new Statesman. This may explain the Korean tires on the tester.
But, I wouldn’t rule it out that the next Impala may be a Holden Statesman sibling, though with Chevy styling cues.
Again, have a look at the pics of the new Holden Statesman and you’ll get a better impression of how the next Impala may look like!
Wrong once again.
This is actually the 2008 Malibu, the bread and butter car so to speak. The 2008-9 Impala will be RWD, and will have throw-backs to the Impala’s of yesteryear (Detriot glory years). It will be a sight to see…you’ll know it’s an Impala (in a good way) when you see.
Detroit*
Not Impala. Malibu. The next Impala is going to be a little more extravagant in it’s styling.
Whatever it is, it looks like a well-integrated styling job. Hopefully it has a great new engine to power it, and some real road feel in the steering! If this is true, it ought to be a winner!
This is the new 2008 Malibu based on the next-generation Epsilon II platform. Hence the front-wheel drive. Hence the nearly-final trim.
Yeah thats the upcoming 2008 Malibu alright. GM have finally noticed that the current car is no match for Camry and Accord not even the new Hyundai. I think GM needs this car now in the dealerships.
The next Impala will be pretty big and awesome, with cues from those sixties Implalas of fame.
My guess it is the next Malibu and will probably be ready around the beginning of the year!
I hope so, the Maxx isn’t too bad, but I am sick and tired of the regular one.
Malibu or Impala, GM needs to get with the design team. This is what is killing them. They need design. All the cars are looking the same. They need to take a lesson from Chrysler. Anything unique will sell. America whats a vehicle that shows their individuality.
All World Automotive just hit the nail on the head with their comment! I don’t know if any good designers still work for GM, but if they do, someones stifling their creativity bigtime!
I agree big time that this is the new malibu as it looks more like it. plus the redesigned impala won’t be out that fast as it poped up in 2006. adding that G.M is probably looking for success as the new charger or 300 (which are both RWD). and finally that they already have a great platform (Zeta) for it and you can see the new holden commodore and calias (sold in some areas as chevy Lumina and Caprice).
let the muscle be back.
[…] Os incessáveis caçadores de segredos do site Winding Road tem umas fotos do próximo Chevrolet Malibu. Ao contrário do que o site diz, que este seria o Impala, na verdade é o Malibu. […]
Whatever it is, GM seems to be continuing to discount those of us who fall outside the “norms” of shape–I’m 76″ tall with 32″ inseam–and the raked windshield makes it less and less enjoyable to enter and exit these cars, and the situation grows worse in every design cycle.
The GM “stylists” appear to have let D-C dictate the higher beltline, look, too, just as on the new Camaro concept, which bothers me greatly, since the Challenger, using the 300/Magnum/Charger platform, does NOT exhibit this high-beltline look. What is it about GM design that they have to copy others?
I’m a solid Bow-Tie guy, with a 96 Impala SS–a REAL car. The current W-platform is OK, but it’s time to get back on track. And to add to the discussion, I think it’s time to abandon the 2-door model (ie. Monte Carlo) and let the Camaro serve as the “coupe” for those who just gotta have it. NASCAR would do us a favor if they told Chevy they had to race the 4-door car (ie. Impala), like all the other manufacturers.
In fact, what I’d like to see happen is to take the MC name and treat it like Toyota does with Camry and Avalon, where the Impala is the “base” 4-door, and the Monte Carlo becomes the upscale version, instead of reviving the Caprice or coming up with something “new” like Statesman. What I’m really saying is there really doesn’t need to be a 2-door Impala/MC if the Camaro is going to be on the same platfrom and as large as I’ve read (110″ WB?) it may be. And there are rumors that D-C may try to race the Challenger in NASCAR, so the logical shift for Chevy would be to race the Camaro against that.
I believe GM has one of the best design talents in the world.
The problem is GM is simply too big.
It starts from the top, they are the ones picking the design direction.
Usually poor design is due to money guys or engineers having too much power or the company believing design doesnt matter.
GM has gotten away with it for the past 50 years.
This Malibu or Impala still falls short to me.
The gas door is on the right, normal for Malibu, while the Impala has the gas door on the left side.
If this layout continues, we probably have a Malibu.
I think the reason that this car has been mis-identified as an Impala is because of the long wheelbase. Looking at the pics I think this is the new Malibu based on the 112.3″ wheelbase of the current Malibu Maxx, G6, and Aura, not the 106.3″ wheelbase of the current Malibu.
> This is the Bel Aire, the new Chevy Flagship.
I’ve often thought that Bel Aire is a name worth bringing back, but I don’t think it would be the flagship.
If this is the new Malibu, it’s a change on the order of the 2001 -> 2002 Altima, so a name change might be in order.
[…] Our friends at Winding Road have new spy photos of what appears to be the next Chevy Impala. The telltale bowtie is visible under the checkerboard tape on the car’s nose, and the the body seems be the right size (Winding Road’s photo gallery bears this out). The bold-looking grille recalls the 2003 SS Concept — a good thing — and round taillamps peek through the masking in back (though that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what the final lamps will look like.) The car is even a confirmed front-driver that’s likely riding on the General’s veteran G-body platform, which is evident from the kinked C-pillar shared with the Buick Lucerne. If this is indeed the new Impala, it looks like the General managed to inject some real style into the car’s look. […]
That is the 2008 Mailbu - fwd due to the fact that it’s Epsilon.
I think it looks great (from what I can see). The current Malibu, to me when I first saw it, looked very ungainly. However, things with me typically have to sit a bit, before I can appreciate them. Later, it still looked ungainly.
This looks like the “impressive redesign” we’ve been hearing about. There is hope for GM.
Yes, I know, this comment adds nothing new.
It’s the ‘08 Malibu, you dumbos. The new Impala, when it comes out, is going to be much more striking (and RWD). But, for a Malibu, it isn’t bad (especially considering what the current one looks like) although it’s kind of bulky and fat-looking.
I will retire my 2000 Impala the day GM makes it’s first re drive replacement. They better hurry though, the floor mats are getting worn.
Buy it today, it is called a Buick
this is the malibu..very closely represents sketches shown to gm dealers last fall! what a gorgeous car can’t wait til it arrives! expect a early 07 calander year debut as an 08 model!
[…] Our friends at Winding Road have new spy photos of what appears to be the next Chevy Impala. The telltale bowtie is visible under the checkerboard tape on the car’s nose, and the the body seems be the right size (Winding Road’s photo gallery bears this out). The bold-looking grille recalls the 2003 SS Concept — a good thing — and round taillamps peek through the masking in back (though that doesn’t necessarily mean that’s what the final lamps will look like.) The car is even a confirmed front-driver that’s likely riding on the General’s veteran G-body platform, which is evident from the kinked C-pillar shared with the Buick Lucerne. […]
Steady on boys, it looks like the new model of a
Rover 75, especially the doors. We need a lot more imagination in our new cars and not a re-vamp.
Bill Yuille,
Ayr,
Scotland.
“Malibu or Impala, GM needs to get with the design team. This is what is killing them. They need design. All the cars are looking the same. They need to take a lesson from Chrysler. Anything unique will sell. America whats a vehicle that shows their individuality.”
Micheal Simcoe (Australia) is now a design director for GM, he’s the guy that masterminded the new Commodore on Zeta architecture, as well as the Monaro (nee Pontiac GTO). Hopefully he can make GM design head in the right direction.
I wanted to comment about the design team issue, particularly the ‘anything unique will sell’ statement.
Look at these uniquely styled vehicles that have come out in the last 5 years: Pontiac Aztek, Buick Rendezvous, Honda Element, Scion xA and xB, Ford Focus, Chrysler 300M, Dodge Charger… How many of these are sales hits?
Only the Chrysler twins and the Focus and I only think the Focus did better because it’s been on sale longer. That’s it.
Almost all of these cars are very functional, have polarizing design (I owned 2 Azteks, I can relate) and none of them have sold very well. Anything unique is a total crap shoot.
I don’t know what it would take to really turn people’s heads anymore, but the car in the camoflage above did turn mine. Maybe there will still be a Maxx version too.
In 2008 Pontiac Bonneville All-new sedan built on the rear-drive Zeta platform, offered with optional V-8 engine.
Does this mean that the new Malibu and Buick Lucerne are twins—AND the new malibu is a larger vehicle than the Impala?
I’ve read, in a few places, that the Malibu will be a larger car, and with this in mind, the Impala will also become a larger car(and RWD, so all the purists will quit complaining, and I agree to a certain extent). I also think Impala should be as it was…2-dr for SS and Sport Coupe, and 4-dr sedan…it didn’t have a “sister” car (Monte Carlo, which paired up with Chevelle and El Camino), it was unique until Caprice came along in 1966. I will buy one when they finally come out, and I’ll admit I really like my 2001, but I’m sure I’ll LOVE the new RWD, bigger, hotter Impala.
This new prototype appears to be the Malibu to me also. I think the design is allright, a single but not a home run. Chevy needs home runs because the game is in the late innings and the competition is not quitting. The Malibu has never been a contender to the Accord or the Camry which have always had better interiors, etc. Toyota having gotten bigger is getting sloppy as noted by the number of recalls. So far their adoring boomers haven’t noticed but I have and Chevy’s quality is quite good. I agree their weakness is styling. Repeat a Camaro and they will come; make it vanilla and no one will notice no matter how good the car. Chevy needs new product soon!
I have been reading all of these comments and I have to say that the last creation that bore the name Impala, Malibu and Chevy for that matter HAVE all looked the same. My dad’s first car was a 1975 chevy Nova, and one of my uncle first car was 1969/1970 Chevy Impala. Currently we have a 2000 Monatana and I for one love GM vehicules, especially the older models.
Now here is my problem, every so often these manufactureres LOVE to mess with a good thing. First, Impala - rear lights !!! why !!!! Why change the lights and the rear facias - I remember that the rears of those cars always have the circular red and red and white lights set side by side.
When those lights and the elongated body were added to the impala re-release I thought now I like what Chevy has done (or re-done) to that car. Then comes the nightmare or 2005/2006 where the Impala and Malibu (and pretty much all the chevy line) looked likes variations on the Cavilier. Don’t get me wrong the Cav (* discontinued) is a nice small car - but it’s just that a Small car !! . On a side not I liked the Cobalt and the Covette like rear end - why change it ??? Oh yeah it’s the smaller version of the Impala !!!
I know that the there is a re-release of the Camero which in my mind looks promising but I saw this car I have to admit that I HOPED THAT IT WAS THE NEW NOVA slated to be release in 2008 - but atlas I was told it was the Malibu (OK so it still looks great - definite improvement to the Cavilier like (Cobalt like…) version on this production year).
[…] At the time our photogs spotted the mule, it wasn’t clear whether the upsized front-drive mule was the next ‘Bu or Impala, but subsequent intelligence supports that this will be the former, not the latter. And while GM isn’t releasing any teaser shots of the exterior, it has released a shot of the dashboard and front seats. The rich two-tone color scheme recalls a Saturn Aura XR we had in recently, which was perfectly nice in terms of ergonomics, though some of us openly wished for materials of a higher quality. […]
The GMX386 is the Chevrolet Malibu with an updated look.
Actually thats the 2008 Malibu
This is definetly the 08′ Malibu they gatta come out with a better impala than the 07. the 07 is a malibu itself.
I think the new impala is a very nice looking car because the front lights are farther apart and the grille is a little bigger and the signature chevy symbol can stand out more on this model! Also it looks like a very sleek and stylish looking vehicle.
if you have a comment list it in you r notes and use my name!
I think the new impala is a very nice looking car because the front lights are farther apart and the grille is a little bigger and the signature chevy symbol can stand out more on this model! Also it looks like a very sleek and stylish looking vehicle.
if you have a comment list it in your notes and use my name!
That is the new Malibu.. Coming out this fall
That is the 2008 Chevy Malibu. Coming out this fall
NICE IMPALA!!!
im pretty sure this is an impala, check the taillghts. and the size. its about 17 feet long. its no malibu. when was the last time we had a full size big car like this. mailibu. no i think not.
I have to agree that GM has come up short in the design department. The car they require to out sell the compotition will be powered by an LS2 / LS3 rear wheel drive. The problem with the late model camaro was the interior lay out and exterior design. Very hard to get in and out, and seats where to close to the floor. Everyone should agree GM is lacking one practical car with modern design, power, as well as good fuel rating.Remember when GM made Hot mid size family sedans!We have been waiting for years for the next great car. Seems like all GM can build is crate engines. M.Kricheldorf.
Attention!!!!!!!!!!
The guys who are calling it a Chevy Malibu!!!!!!
You are damn right it is….!!!
All other unobservant baffoons!!! Check out the images of the new Malibu, keep em side by side and then make up your mind….coz only you can help your self in convincing ur ignorant minds!!!!
Peace!!!
Has anyone else noticed how similar the current Infiniti M and the Impala are especially in the greenhouse design? I wonder who copied who?
thats a malibu. geniuses. if you think otherwise, you are an idiot.
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