Another Win for the Impala

            Another top award in the auto industry has gone to Chevrolet’s all new Impala.  This award comes from Consumer Reports and the award is the best large sedan.  This is the first domestic car to have the

highest award from Consumer Reports since they’ve been keeping score in 1992.  During all that time, there were 11 Japanese and 9 European cars taking the top honor.  This year is different with the Impala as it not only got the first domestic car taking the top score in the large sedan category, but it got one of the highest scores Consumer Reports has ever graded on a car.  The only two that beat it was the Tesla Model S and BMW 135i.

            The score the Impala was a 95 out of 100. Consumer Reports says that Impala boasts “agile handling” and “excellent braking.” The interior and fit is made from higher quality parts that look great.  In fact the Impala is so good, it competes directly with cars that are $20,000 more expensive than it and can win against those cars in a head to head competition.  The new Chevy Impala is showing just how good domestic cars really are and how they are just as good if not better than the European and Japanese imports.

Matthew Colan

Handy Chevrolet

Chevrolet Impala gets a Five-Star Safety Score

            The all-new 2014 Chevrolet Impala received the highest safety score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, five stars.  The new car has many “firsts” never before used in a Chevrolet car, like radar.  There are other alerts, both visual and audible that help keep the driver aware of his surroundings.  Here’s some of those safety features that the Impala features.

            Thanks to installing radar in the Impala, it can now make use of adaptive cruise control.  The technology senses cars ahead of it, and will slow itself down and even pick up speed again.  This is the first time this sort of technology has been installed in a Chevy.  Another technology that is brand new to Chevy is crash imminent braking.  The same radar that makes adaptive cruise control possible also detects a possible crash, and, if need be, will apply the brakes itself to try and avoid the crash.  The radar also detects cars and motorcycles that enter your blind spot.  When it does find one, it will give out an alert to avoid cutting that car off if you go to pass another vehicle on the interstate.  The radar also helps out with rear crossing traffic as you are pulling out of a parking space to make sure you don’t inadvertently run into anybody.

            Cameras placed on the car help give out lane departure warnings should you begin to drift into the lane next to you.  The rear vision camera shows up on Chevy’s infotainment system and helps when backing out of a parking space, or backing in.  There are also guidelines that give a reference to show where the car will end up as you are parking.  Sensors in the rear of the car also give out warnings when you are getting near another vehicle.

            A neat new feature on the Impala is brake pre-fill feature.  Whenever the driver takes his/her foot off the accelerator, the car increases hydraulic pressure slightly to the brake lines which helps cut down on stopping distance.  Lastly, there is hill hold/start assist, where the car holds its position on the hill as the driver moves their foot over to the gas pedal.

            In addition to all the cameras, radar, and other sensors on the car, the Impala also comes with 10 standard airbags to help cushion the impact of a possible crash.  With all this safety in mind, along with GM designing a good looking, fuel efficient car, it’s hard to overlook the Impala as a possible buy as your next choice of vehicle.

Matthew Colan

Handy Chevrolet

The 2014 Chevrolet Impala has Arrived

            After a long wait, the Chevy Impala has arrived at Handy Chevrolet. After seeing pictures of the car online, I couldn’t wait to see what it looked like in person.  This is the first redesign of the Impala since the 2006.  The new redesign is based off the popular Buick Lacrosse. The wheelbase was increased 1.2 inches over the previous generation.  In the interior, Chevy designers found an extra 5.7 inches of legroom across the length of the car, which is a drastic improvement over the previous generation Impala.

            The new Impala at Handy Chevrolet is the LTZ package.  This is a higher end model with more luxurious options.  Some of those options in that are in this Impala are leather seats, heated and cooled front seats, heated steering wheel, rear camera, rear park assist and much more. 

            GM designer, John Cafaro designed the shapes and lines that grace the exterior of the Chevy Impala.  The car has a more modern look and looks like a big car.  The interior transfers some of those lines from the exterior into more graceful lines along the dashboard and down into the center console.  The steering wheel resembles the Chevy bowtie, which I found to be a neat little touch.  The interior also looks as big as the exterior of the car.  The interior also features an 8 inch MyLink infotainment system exclusive to Chevy only.

            The Impala currently at Handy Chevrolet is powered by a Direct Injected 3.6L V-6.  Chevy also offers a 2.5L ECOTEC I-4.  The V-6 makes an impressive 305 horsepower at 6800RPM with 264 ft-lbs of torque.  The I-4 makes 195 horsepower and 187 ft-lbs of torque.  Both engines are direct injected and feature variable valve timing for optimum fuel efficiency. 

            The next generation of the Chevy Impala has arrived and with it some exciting cues from generations past have helped revive the car with a storied history.

Matthew Colan

Handy Chevrolet