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
Labels: 2014 Chevrolet Impala, 5-stars, Chevy Impala, Crash test, Handy Chevrolet St Albans VT, impala, Safety