The All New 2014 Chevrolet Impala, the latest in this long line of classic American cars, carries on the tradition of great design as well as comfort throughout. Unrivaled in the cruising department as this brand are, it makes it all the more fitting that we feature it here in the cruising section. In the 10th rendition of this popular model, this 2014 King of the road reminds us why it has been on top of the automobile game for so long. With its definitive head-turning styling, greater interior spaciousness and advanced technologies never before available in an Impala, it again deserves our attention.
The 2014 Impala—Chevy’s iconic flagship sedan—is new from the ground up, with muscular design elements that provide a nod to the past while embracing Chevy’s modern styling. Inside, an all-new passenger environment offers more front and rear legroom, generous storage and smartphone-influenced connectivity with next-generation MyLink. It’s also a quieter environment with a greater emphasis on comfort – including BOSE active noise cancelation technology on four-cylinder models (and if you don’t know the beauty that is BOSE sound systems, no doubt any further explanation here would be lost).
The Impala’s long, low proportion has a wind-swept profile that suggests motion, while the range of 18 and 19, inch wheels are tailored to the body to provide that “just right” stance, filling out the wheel-well with a sleekness that all cruisers demand. At the front, low-profile projector-beam headlamps – or HID headlamps and LED daytime running lamps on LTZ – sweep around the corners and frame a wide grille, while a power dome hood conveys performance. The LTZ’s LED daytime running lamps provide a contemporary visual statement, along with great visibility.
Sculpted coves in the body sides add to the Impala’s design, with a signature cue in the rear fenders that acknowledges classic Impala designs. The “greenhouse” area is long, enhancing the sleek look of the car while maintaining excellent visibility. The trunk area appears short to complement the overall proportion, but opens to reveal a space with 18.8 cubic-feet (532 liters) of cargo room. Diagonal dual-signature tail-lamps and – on LTZ – chrome-outlined exhaust outlets complete the rear-end appearance.
The 2014 Impala builds on Chevrolet’s signature dual-cockpit interior with greater attention to detail and upscale features – seen in everything from the wraparound flow of the bold instrument panel into the door panels and the available ambient lighting, to the soft feel of the materials and the premium appearance of the seats’ stitching. The instrument panel integrates a dynamic instrument cluster with a standard 4.2-inch color display with reconfigurable features for the driver information center. An eight-inch touch screen with concealed storage behind it is matched with the available Chevy MyLink system on LT and LTZ models.
A comprehensive package of sound-absorbing, sound-suppressing and even active noise cancelation which helps make the 2014 Impala Chevrolet’s quietest full-size sedan ever. An acoustically laminated windshield and front-door glass, along with liquid-applied sound deadener, sound-absorbing carpet and an isolated engine cradle, are some of the features that help provide a quieter driving experience. These high-end interior materials and details such as high-quality fabric, sueded microfiber and perforated leather appointments complement the quiet environment and give the Impala a substantive look and feel. The instrument cluster has a rich look, with multidimensional gauges and a configurable color driver information center with a 4.2-inch screen. The cluster’s ice-blue lighting enhances the upscale aura of the cabin, while available chrome trim with “bleed-through” ambient lighting further enhances the cabin’s sophisticated flair. It completely transforms the trim’s appearance by illuminating it during nighttime driving.
If you are a technology nut, like we are here, this is where some of their advancements start to shine. A prominent “center stack” is integrated in the instrument panel and houses the climate controls and Chevrolet MyLink, which includes navigation and Bluetooth audio streaming among many other features – and is controlled via a touch screen on an available eight-inch display. A standard audio amplifier is a feature not typical for the segment and a BOSE surround-sound audio system is available – the first in a Chevrolet car. Additional available features include remote start, passive entry/exit, keyless starting, power tilting/telescoping steering column with memory, dual-zone climate control and heated and ventilated front seats. The Impala also packs great storage options, including a generous center console and a hidden storage area behind the optional motorized eight-inch color touch screen. Chevrolet’s next-generation MyLink infotainment system, with its intuitive, smartphone-inspired interface, debuts on the new Impala – a system that has already captured the 2013 Best-of-CES Award in the Car Tech category, chosen by tech news provider CNET.
When it comes to the “horses under the hood,” Impala offers all the amazing power you would expect from the powertrains; featuring fuel-saving direct injection and lightweight components, which is the 3.6L V-6Output for the 3.6L V-6 is rated at 305 horsepower (227 kW) and 264 lb.-ft. of torque (358 Nm). That is the highest horsepower output in the segment from a naturally-aspirated V-6 engine. Lightweight features support a more balanced driving experience and include an integrated cylinder head/exhaust manifold design that saves approximately 13 pounds (6 kg) per engine. The All New Chevrolet Impala’s engine is matched with a six-speed automatic transmission.
All models feature an electric variable-assist steering system (EPS) that helps save fuel by drawing energy only when the steering wheel is turned. Designed to complement Impala’s balance of responsiveness and comfort, the EPS’s feel is light and direct, with greater assistance at low speeds and higher effort at highway speeds. It also incorporates Pull Drift Compensation, which automatically adjusts the steering effort to account for factors such as crowned roads or high crosswinds – factors that typically cause the driver to turn the steering wheel slightly to maintain a straight path.
Sensors detect the steering correction and adjust the torque applied to the steering system to relieve the effort on the driver, helping to maintain smooth, straight driving with less input. Pull Drift Compensation is an integrated feature of the EPS system and engages seamlessly, without the driver’s knowledge.
The 2014 Impala offers one of the most comprehensive collections of standard and available safety features in the segment, and they do it well. It employs advanced technologies – including radar – to help avoid crashes. Visual and audible alerts, depending on the alert feature, help drivers identify potential crash situations and even intervene when a crash threat appears more imminent. The alerts are designed to identify potential threats with sufficient warning to give the driver time to react and make changes. Viewed as a whole, the safety, style, technology and engine, all coalesce to keep Impalas title as the classic cruising car for years to come.
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