The Impala is General Motors’ iconic flagship sedan for its Chevrolet brand. In other words, it is the luxury marque of a mass-market class. Both ‘flagship’ and ‘luxury’ evoke the sense of Finest. Largest. Highest Quality. And Distinction. This tenth generation (the number 10) Impala’s physical dimensions and interior appointments aspire to these—striking style (menacingly masculine), dramatic design, high and rich quality materials, precise constructions, supreme comfort, meticulous attention to details, advanced technology packages for safety and convenience, engine of stellar performance, great sports-car road manners—flagging an emblem that completes its re-definition of image, brand, and status.

Look at that emblem it wears distinctively on both sides of the C-pillar rear top panels! Said Joan Kallio, lead creative designer for Chevrolet global brand identity, speaking to the Wall Street Journal, the stylized interpretation of the African antelope accents muscle, agility, and speed. How well so?

Look at the 2014 Impala’s overall stance, especially poised on a 20-inch wheels, 20-inch and no less, (a bounding impala)—good application of biomimetics—achieved from sculpting after how God made these—ogive nose (or head) on a wider-fuller upper flank contoured and tapered to a slimmer-stretched lower flank, and lightweight—to minimize air resistance, increase aerodynamics, and save energy. Although as to these our Impala is still only aspiring (especially in lightweighting) but represents Chevrolet’s first time of coming this close to a most intuitive, motion-suggestive, yet functional, and practical application of biomimicry. To know such automotive interpretation of a leaping fast-running animal had been achieved at Jaguar several years ago! Specialized body adaptations responsible for speed and agility, with Practicality and Purpose added in, and without the drawbacks of a natural fast-running animal’s short-range.

Powered by a naturally-aspirated V6 (most suitable for a still mammoth curb weight of 1,700 kg or 3,950 lb) capable of pounding down 358 Nm (264 lb-ft) of torque and giving the Impala a leap from 0-60 in under 8.5 secs. And, for Practicality and Purpose, satisfied by a large body, at 226 kW (303 hp) this is the only appropriate engine for Impala—more power desired! What GM might not tell you is while it fronts high mileage and competitive price for Ecotec options on trim levels of 2.4/2.5 L it is not without significant compromise of power and degradation of accelerative might—like driving Impala with the lousy Spark power! How great is that?

The question I’ve asked is why compromise power and performance on a flagship, most practical model in a class? The answer lies in Trim Levels. That answer may well suit the next question whose discussion shortly follows: why install 10 (again, 10) airbags in a car across all trims (which, of course, is remarkable—at least in a widely publicized modern-day understanding of active safety) then begin to cut back on other more important safety packages? Again, Trim Levels. Just when you hoped an automaker would get it right (on one single complete car, at least for a generation) after so many generations of consistent and relentless getting it wrong, they get it wrong still. For what reason? An over-produced desire to please everybody. To have a one-size-fits-all car! Not only that. Chevrolet, or rather, GM, wherever the decision came from, is going to have the rest of us feel guilty, right? For a bad thing? No, not a bad thing (that’d be excused); for choosing Practicality and Purpose! And what’s wrong we have some fun with those? Nothing! Life can’t be a bore! Human and Passion are Inseparable! Ugh, what’s a Car for in the first place?

What did Chevrolet want to achieve with a full-size Impala? It wasn’t always this large after all! Or it was allowed to wither as such, and has made a comeback now into the large segment. So, why? Why make it large—full-size? I’ll advance the following reasons: 1. Full-size is the ultimate expression of an American car. (Impala could be GM’s profit center) 2. It is practical, convenient, comfortable, and purposeful. 3. It presents the only reason in buying a car in the first place—utility—since mobility is obvious. 4. It offers reasonable performance without the price of a bigger engine and expensive structural upgrades. 5. It gives your family the utility of a van (which you may not want) or a SUV (which is a bit too imposing) in the practicality and luxury of a sedan. 6. Can we think of more? Because there’s more.


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