[OctaneZ28]

There’s been so much news surrounding GM’s upcoming RWD models that you’d think developers were no longer focusing on building FWD cars anymore. We’ve heard plenty about the new Zeta-based Pontiac G8 and Camaro plus a new RWD small sedan for Cadillac and, until recently, it was thought GM would also make the replacement for the Chevrolet Impala a powerful rear-driver. However, latest reports claim the next Impala could be spawned from a new mid-sized FWD platform.

http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/chevrolet/gm-not-ruling-out-fwd/

Personally, I don't buy this stuff about the next Impala still being FWD.
Heck, it even says that's it's a Zeta car in the plans that came out when the GM-UAW deal was made.

I'm calling it now: Next Impala will be RWD.

 

[Jinx]

I welcome ruling out FWD. The new malibu looks to be a winner, but too me; todays impala and malibu are too close to be on the same playing field for one brand. A rwd impala makes more sense to me.

Plus with Ford backing down Ness platform cars (crown vic and its bastard siblings); i think it would be wise of GM to have a more affordable rwd 4 door sedan for fleet purposes (My wishes> police cars and GOVs as rwd impala). I believe it would steal contract from Ford and Dodge. I mean the G8 is a nice car and I would roll in it; but realistically a fleet bare bones fleet model zeta (impala) seems more of a reality (you dont see many fleets with 300C when they can buy a Charger cheaper)

 

[USA1Camaro]

I'd see the Impala being RWD. Having other FWD models in the line up just makes sense. Now if GM doesn't repeat it's mistakes they'll be ok. Keep the models fresh and quality high.

 

[Luwinkle]

For a while..I couldn't really tell the Impala and Malibu apart in traffic. Until I looked on Chevy's websites and looked at the differences.

I am SO looking forward to a RWD G6 replacement, too.

 

[brandonppr]

To me I think they should have being the Impala is selling so good in current form just made the current new Malibu an Impala instead and kept if FWD and called the new RWD zeta car a Malibu being the old Malibu kinda sucked anyway. This way they wouldn't have had to risk changing the better selling Impala to RWD.

That being said, its too late now. A FWD Impala would compete agaist the Malibu now.

RWD Impala ftw.

 

[OctaneZ28]

2007 total sales will be close to this:
Impala - 300,000
Malibu - 170,000

They want Malibu to be the big seller with its redesign, so then the Impala can have more of a specific target market.
That way Impala can go RWD and everyone can be so happy that they do the dance of joy.

 

[brandonppr]

I would say if it was the other way around that there could be a Malibu(4dr) and a Chevelle(2dr), but it probley wouldn't work because it would probley cut into Camaro sales.