The Chevrolet Impala has quietly become one of America’s signature vehicles. Originally released in 1957, the Impala has gone through many re-generations and revisions to become one of the most versatile, sought-after cars. Both police agencies and NASCAR have utilized the Chevrolet Impala for their different needs.
It is in that tradition that the 2012 Chevrolet Impala follows, and this new edition of the legendary name does so admirably while making some stark improvements. The most notable of these is in the vehicle’s heart. The 2012 Chevrolet Impala features a new 3.9 liter V-6 flex-fuel engine that manages to increase both horsepower and fuel efficiency. Chevy’s trademark car can, for 2012, pump out 302 horsepower and 252 lb-ft of torque, significant improvements from previous models. And yet at the same time, fuel efficiency for this sedan jumps up to 19 mph city and a strong 30 mph highway, helped by its new 6-speed automatic transmission.
The three trims of the 2012 Chevrolet Impala contain a nice assortment of goodies, such as traction control, cruise control, 6-way driver’s seat movement, fog lights, variable intermittent wipers, Bluetooth accessibility, dual exhaust outlets, power mirrors, anti-lock brakes, 4-wheel independent suspension, programmable power locks, tilt-adjustable steering column, tire pressure monitoring and rear spoiler. A three-month trial of SiriusXM Radio is also standard on all models.
The LT in particular adds a number of nice extra features, including individually-folding rear seats, dual-control climate adjustment, leather-wrapped steering wheels and remote ignition. LTZs bump the wheels up to 18-inches (16 inches in the LS model, 17 in the LT) with 8 Bose surround-sound speakers. Additional options include front seat heating, steering wheel verbal control and heated exterior mirrors, and power sunroof, and a 6-month subscription to OnStar Directions and Connections with Turn-by-Turn Navigation.
The body of the 2012 Chevrolet Impala keeps it close to the classic Impala design, with a fitting set of grayscale options for both interior and exterior (and a fantastic looking red exterior option to boot). The interior also features an upgraded woodgrain trim The 18.6 cubic feet of trunk space will help add to the versatility of this vehicle, making it a great choice for families with large requirements, or just large families.
The Chevrolet Impala is the most popular large sedan models in America, and one of the longest-produced car models of any kind. One of the original engineers of the Impala, Ed Cole, once described the Impala as a “prestige car within the reach of the average American citizen.” The 2012 Chevrolet Impala continues this proud line with a new version that should satisfy previous lovers of this classic while updating it with the driving efficiency and power necessary for the 21st century driver.
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