2012 Chevrolet Impala

[PinkFloyd]

So my dad drives for his job and the company gives him a new company car every 2 years. Theyve been using the impala for about 10 years now. this year sticks out. All impalas have had mid powered v6 engines with 220-255 hp. this year the 3.6 litre v6 engine cranks out 302 horsepower. Thats only a litle less than the 2006 Impala SS's v8 which i think was a supercharged 5.7 litre vortec. I think this is cool because the car must be able to get up to at least 160. Am i right or wrong?

[Boss...]

The 2006 impala ss has a naturally aspirated 5.3 v8 LS4 which produces 303hp give or take (all cars vary) and has an ungorverned top speed of 154mph and a governed speed of 125. But the 2012 has a governed speed of 112 and a ungoverned speed in the 140s. Not the best car for hauling ass, its an old mans car.

[PinkFloyd]

The 2006 impala ss has a naturally aspirated 5.3 v8 LS4 which produces 303hp give or take (all cars vary) and has an ungorverned top speed of 154mph and a governed speed of 125. But the 2012 has a governed speed of 112 and a ungoverned speed in the 140s. Not the best car for hauling ass, its an old mans car.

Yeah i hear what your saying.

[Dusty112]

2006-2011 Impalas (not SS models) came with a 3.5L V6 (211 hp, 214 ft. lbs. of torque) or a 3.9L V6 (LT and LTZ trims) with 230 hp. It should be noted that those models, including the SS model, came with a 4-speed automatic. The 2012-2013 models have a six-speed automatic, so, they should be faster than the old SS by keeping the engine in the peak power band longer. Plus the 3.6L should be a little lighter. And I agree with the above comment. IT IS NOT A SPORTS CAR. It's a family sedan. Besides, if you're doing top speed runs and driving it like a race car, it won't last long.

[cianmg]

to say the least i got to experience an impala for 2 weeks this summer. to say the least what ever person sitting in an office decided to put that much power through the front wheels of a saloon without altering the chassis and drive train is mad. its a comfortable big good looking car but not really built for pefermance although it does sound good when pushed. as for 160 i dont think it would even reach 140 under normal conditions. the 2014 one looks like the best looking impala yet if i shall say

[kenshin]

It will not reach 160 i can promise you that but probably around 130 to 140 ungoverned. and it might have the power but not the aerodynamics or weight to achieve 160. Its not a bad car tho i got one as a rental once it wasn't that bad but not really a go fast king of car more of a everyday family sedan.

[abp1999]

I was about to say the SS had in the early 00s and supercharged V6 and mid had NA V8 though FWD so the handling isn't the best.

[Steve Jobs]

Eh. The Impala isn't something I'd ever drive at that sort of speed with. For standard large family cars I'm sure the Charger & Taurus are much more capable. GM is currently trailing behind - the Impala has aged considerably but the talks of the next one are quite appealing. It seems like GM is now uniting with GM Australia & Europe to make a large car to serve its global market, like Ford has done. If any of you saw the limited-edition Pontiac G8, Mmmmm :)

[Skyhawk]

I like the Impala mostly because it's simple and big (same reason why I like the Panther platform). The 300hp V6 really isn't that fast. :\ The gear ratios are designed for fuel economy.

[Dusty112]

It will not reach 160 i can promise you that but probably around 130 to 140 ungoverned. and it might have the power but not the aerodynamics or weight to achieve 160. Its not a bad car tho i got one as a rental once it wasn't that bad but not really a go fast king of car more of a everyday family sedan.

What does weight have to do with top speed? You're fighting drag there. Even then, the transmission might be a limiting factor as well.

Also, that 300 hp in a soft front-wheel drive car makes perfect sense.

By seeing that nice, respectable horsepower number you think you're buying a powerful performance sedan. Marketing Edge. Power always makes a car better. But handling doesn't. Let me explain why....

Most roads in most areas are not a test of handling, unless you're going WAY over the speed limit. Hence it doesn't matter how it handles, how it's set up, or how firm the chassis is. You're not hitting corners on the edge of grip with the pedal to the floor. Stop watching Top Gear. Everything they discuss (handling-wise) is outside the realm of 99% of real-world driving. Virtually all curves (if you even live in an area that has curves in roads) generate little to no lateral g. So who cares about body roll or steering feel? Who cares about perfect 50-50 weight distribution? You're not drifting down some mountain road. The power comes into play in two places where it is used often. Passing and merging. In both situations, the more the better, and since it's a straight line, handling and suspension DON'T MATTER! Nor is putting the power down. You DO have to put up with the ride 100% of the time SO A SOFT SUSPENSION IS ALWAYS SUPERIOR TO A FIRM ONE in the real world.

For those living in areas that see snow most winters, front-wheel drive is very desirable not having oversteer and having considerably more traction. Nobody wants to put up with RWD.

Really the car is an excellent combination that should be appreaciated.

[janisj182]

impalas are nice cars good gas mileage

[PinkFloyd]

impalas are nice cars good gas mileage

Yeah I would like one as a first car.

[JackOfClubs]

What does weight have to do with top speed? You're fighting drag there. Even then, the transmission might be a limiting factor as well.

Also, that 300 hp in a soft front-wheel drive car makes perfect sense.

By seeing that nice, respectable horsepower number you think you're buying a powerful performance sedan. Marketing Edge. Power always makes a car better. But handling doesn't. Let me explain why....

Most roads in most areas are not a test of handling, unless you're going WAY over the speed limit. Hence it doesn't matter how it handles, how it's set up, or how firm the chassis is. You're not hitting corners on the edge of grip with the pedal to the floor. Stop watching Top Gear. Everything they discuss (handling-wise) is outside the realm of 99% of real-world driving. Virtually all curves (if you even live in an area that has curves in roads) generate little to no lateral g. So who cares about body roll or steering feel? Who cares about perfect 50-50 weight distribution? You're not drifting down some mountain road. The power comes into play in two places where it is used often. Passing and merging. In both situations, the more the better, and since it's a straight line, handling and suspension DON'T MATTER! Nor is putting the power down. You DO have to put up with the ride 100% of the time SO A SOFT SUSPENSION IS ALWAYS SUPERIOR TO A FIRM ONE in the real world.

For those living in areas that see snow most winters, front-wheel drive is very desirable not having oversteer and having considerably more traction. Nobody wants to put up with RWD.

Really the car is an excellent combination that should be appreaciated.
I'm going to start off with saying that I really don't like the Impala. I find it to be so soft and squishy that it actually feels unsafe, the interior (at least on the lesser models) is extremely outdated, and feels cheaply made. I would also like to point out that I like the 8th gen (00-05) of the Impala, and I feel like it went downhill after that.

Now. I don't know what the roads are like in Florida, but here in Kentucky, and much of the midwest, we have a lot of very twisty, windy roads that have speed limits of 45-55MPH. On these roads, at those speeds, I have driven my 98 Honda Accord, a 98 Corolla, an 04ish Chevy Tahoe, an 11 Dodge Charger, and an 07 VW Rabbit. I have also been on these kinds of road multiple times as a passenger in this generation of Impala, which my dad frequently has as a rental car. All of the cars I mentioned previously can take those roads at those speeds, and you feel safe. I cannot say the same for the Impala in any way at all. While the Impala does offer comfortable ride on highways/interstates, once you go near any kind of corner, the entire thing feels like it will just roll over. We have roundabouts near my house, which can be taken safely in virtually any car (not truck/SUV, I mean actual car) at about 25-30MPH. I have been through these many times in an Impala, and I just feel unsafe. There is a terrifying amount of weight transfer and body roll, which just makes the car feel badly made.

I understand that most people will never go near a car's limits on a regular road, but the fact that the Impala just feels dangerous on any corner at any speed just ruins the fact that it is actually a moderately decent highway cruiser.

Also. What the hell do you mean that weight doesn't matter? A McLaren F1 has a top speed of 243MPH, 618HP, and weighs roughly 2500lbs. A Veyron, on the other hand, has a top speed of 253MPH, has 1001HP, and weighs just over 4100lbs. Clearly what allowed the F1 to get to almost the same top speed was the fact that it weighed significantly less.

[Dusty112]

Or it didn't have as much drag.

Drag Coefficient of the McLaren F1 - .032

Drag Coefficient of the Bugatti Veyron - .036

I know, it's only roughly a 10% difference. At 200+ that's a lot. 200 mph can keep a 747 or A380 up.


"..kentucky, and much of the midwest..." Kentucky is not a midwestern state. And I've been to the midwest....the roads are quite straight..and rough.

[PinkFloyd]

Or it didn't have as much drag.

Drag Coefficient of the McLaren F1 - .032

Drag Coefficient of the Bugatti Veyron - .036

I know, it's only roughly a 10% difference. At 200+ that's a lot. 200 mph can keep a 747 or A380 up.


"..kentucky, and much of the midwest..." Kentucky is not a midwestern state. And I've been to the midwest....the roads are quite straight..and rough.
This is very, very true. I live in Minnesota....

[Wakesetter03]

I respect your opinion Dusty but I have to be honest, I disagree with everything you said.

I like my car to handle well and have horsepower, because for me driving isn't a chore to get from a to b, it is a hobby. I like my car to drive nice, I enjoy a firm, responsive set up and I like my car to throw me back into my seat.

I don't speak for everyone, but for people who enjoy driving, the Impala and cars like it are detestable, miserable cars.

I apologise to anyone who likes them, but I am of the opinion that they are mass produced crap that thing more of bulk buying fleets than a personal consumer.

Just my $0.02