Auto News 5

PROs and CONs

PROs
Good road handling, high-tech gadgetry, a sportier look, and a generous choice of engine types help distinguish this new sedan.

CONs
On the other hand, the lack of a track record for this brand new model must be kept in mind.


Price
The 2014 Chevrolet Impala goes on sale in Canada in the spring of 2013. At the time of writing, pricing had not been officially announced. But you can count on the base price being somewhere in the vicinity of $30,000.

Available versions
As per the previous model, three versions will be available: LS, LT and the high-end LTZ.

Powertrain types
Chevrolet offers three choices of engine.

• The basic 4-cylinder, 2.5L engine delivering 195 hp
• The 182 hp, Ecotec 2.4L four, featuring eAssist technology (with a 15 hp electric engine)
• The 3.6L V6 delivering 303 hp

All engines are direct-injection and can be mated with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Only front-wheel drive versions are available at the moment.

Fuel efficiency
Fuel economy ratings expected by the automaker for the 2.4L Ecotec engine are 5.6L/100km on the highway. This is quite an impressive figure for a full-size sedan.

What's new
This model has been fully redesigned. It represents the 10th generation of the Impala.

For the very first time:

• A 4-cylinder engine will be available.

Several new technologies come to the fore for this model, including:

• Active noise cancellation system;
• Adaptive cruise control;
• Collision-mitigating automatic braking;
• Blind-spot alert;
• Forward collision alert;
• Rear cross-traffic alert.

Exterior appearance
The 2014 Chevrolet Impala is a full-size sedan featuring clean and sculpted lines.

You'll notice its smoothly rounded and aerodynamic form, from the convex hood to its distinctive back end. The base LS model comes standard with 18” wheels, while 19” and 20” will be available on LT and LTZ versions. Headlamps (upgraded to HID units on the LTZ) provide widened visibility, also favoured by the sleekly profiled windscreen.

Safety
This model takes advantage of 360° active safety features, including 10 airbags and the OnStar system.

The 2014 Chevrolet Impala is chock-full of driver-assistance tech such as lane-departure alert, forward collision alert, full-speed-range adaptive cruise control with collision-mitigating automatic braking, back-up sonar with rear vision camera, blind-spot alert, and finally a rear cross-traffic alert system for easier parking.

The story so far...
Founded in Detroit in 1911, Chevrolet has already celebrated its centenary and distributes a diverse product line in more than 120 countries worldwide.

Comparable models
Ford Taurus, Buick LaCrosse, Chrysler 300, Dodge Charger, Toyota Avalon.

Photo: Chevrolet

References

* Reviews
lapresse.ca
motortrend.com
Morin Alain, Le guide de l'auto 2013, Montréal, Les éditions de l'homme, 2012, p.216

From GMM

Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado can probably remain in Formula 1 despite the death of president, Hugo Chavez.

That is the view of former F1 driver turned respected British television commentator Martin Brundle, whilst musing the consequences of the death of the late Venezuelan president.

Until Chavez's death early this week, Maldonado enjoyed the personal backing of the controversial leader, with his Williams seat secured by the multi-million dollar sponsorship of the state-controlled oil company PDVSA.

But now, with Venezuelan elections looming, it is possible Chavez's ruling socialist party will lose power altogether.

"There are few 27-year-olds whose livelihood is determined not only by the whim of a kindly oligarch, but by the political machinations of an entire country," noted Telegraph correspondent Oliver Brown.

Brundle, however, thinks the situation is slightly less dramatic for Maldonado.

"He became a national hero for winning the Spanish GP last year and I think that has been good for Venezuela and good for his sponsors, so why would they want to run away?" he told Sky.

Damon Hill partly agrees, but pointed out that "in this day and age, a driver needs more than just ability".

In fact, the 1996 world champion is now looking for just that kind of support for his son Josh, who this year has stepped up to European F3, one of the last hurdles before F1.

"You need a South American country; we're looking for one," Hill joked to Reuters.

"Chile, Argentina, any one will do."

Team Penske announced Friday that the five-time Champ Car race winner, AJ Allmendinger would drive the No. 2 Chevrolet-powered car with primary sponsorship from IZOD in at least two races, including the 97th Running of the 500 Mile Race on May 26 and the Honda Indy Grand Prix of Alabama on April 7.

Ron Ruzewski, the team's technical director, will be his race engineer.

Penske Racing president Tim Cindric said it's the team's goal for additional races with Allmendinger.

Allmendinger, whose last Indy car competition was Oct. 21, 2006, at Surfers Paradise, Australia, nary missed a shift during a mid-March test day with Team Penske at Sebring International Raceway.

He wasn't far off the lap times of new teammates Helio Castroneves and Will Power, and near the end of the afternoon session was simulating pit stops with the over-the-wall crew.

The former ChampCar series' competitor was a driver for Penske in the NASCAR Sprint Cup until he lost his driver following a positive drug test last year.

Carl Levin, the six-term Democratic senator from Michigan known for his steadfast backing of the U.S. auto industry, won't run for re-election in 2014, his office said.

The stage has been set to honor the Porsche 911's 50th birthday at the 18th annual

Public electric-vehicle charging may have just become a whole lot easier.

Safety enhancements helped Honda and Volvo earn top safety picks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Having peered under concepts to check for real engines and suspension systems, and gently interrogated multiple industry executives in the quest to slake readers' insatiable thirsts for knowledge, Glenn Brooks now reports his findings.

Hyundai says its 2014 Equus full-sized sedan will get more-refined interior materials and an improved ride from the outgoing version.

This 1984 Volkswagen GTI MkI is listed for $5,100 at Bring a Trailer and located in Chelmsford, Mass.

Linamar, Canada's second-biggest auto parts maker, reported a 14 percent rise in fourth quarter earnings on Wednesday, helped by higher demand in the United States and Asia, although results were tempered by softer demand in Europe.

Subaru of America is recalling up to 47,419 cars and crossover vehicles in the United States equipped with remote starters because the engines could start on their own.

R.L. Polk, one of the auto industry's most widely quoted sources for data, said today it has retained an investment banker to "explore strategic growth opportunities."

TRANSCRIPT

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