On Monday, General Motors of Canada Limited saw the first 2014 Chevrolet Impala roll off the Flexible Manufacturing assembly line at its Oshawa, Ont. assembly plant. The first examples of the 2014 Impala will begin arriving at dealerships later this month. It will be assembled alongside the Buick Regal, Cadillac XTS and Chevrolet Camaro at Oshawa.
Chevrolet’s new full-size sedan, signifies a change of direction for the breed, being the first Impala that won’t be available with a front bench seat. Also, as if to indicate a shift in buyer preferences, it comes with two four-cylinder engine options, a 2.5-litre unit and a 2.4-litre motor with GM’s EcoAssist mild hybrid technology. A hearty 3.6-litre V6 is also offered for those who want a bit more grunt, tradition or both. All three engines are teamed with a six-speed automatic transaxle.
GM says that the new Impala is capable of achieving 35 miles per gallon U.S. (6.7 L/100 km) in highway driving with the EcoAssist powertrain (the old 2013 model was one of the most fuel efficient cars in its class, the U.S. Department of Energy rating the V6 powered sedan at 30 mpg (7.8 L/100 km). GM is also making efforts to position the new Impala as a true flagship for the Chevrolet brand and says it plans to sell 70 per cent of the new sedans to retail customers (much of the outgoing car’s sales went to fleets). Nevertheless, realizing the importance of the fleet market, the old Impala will continue in production this year, though now aimed purely at fleet buyers.
GMCL’s President and Managing Director Kevin Williams, said in regards to the start of 2014 Impala production that the car “demonstrates the new direction of Chevrolet. Our employees in Oshawa have executed a flawless plan in bringing this iconic nameplate to life. The newly redesigned Impala will exceed customers’ expectations because of the hard work of our employees at Oshawa Assembly.”
GM will also begin assembling 2014 Impalas at its Hamtramck plant on the outskirts of Detroit next month.
