Chevy has the new Impala SS outfitted with the 303hp. 5.3 V8. But they kept it front drive! This is not the way to compete with Ford or even Dodge these days. Do you think that the new Impala will eventually go rwd, or will it sell well in it's fwd format?

 

Why fwd? Well obviously for funky burnouts and even cooler "J" turns! I'd like to drive one and see how well they handle the "torque-steer" on those critters.

Seriously though, don't know the answer. I see quite a few Impalas around with municipal police departments but I don't think you'll see them with the Highway Patrol. That lack of rwd is probably why.

FWD isn't all bad though; in foul weather I'll take the fwd car over the rwd car any day.

That said, I'll never have another car that isn't AWD. Hello, Subaru?...

 

It looks like GM knows what is doing to sell even more parts. From all reports that I have heard a FWD police vevicle can do many $$$$ worth of damage in a few seconds - all it takes is few hard bumbs that the RWD can handle without a problem.

 

you can screw up as many parts on a RWD as you can with a FWD. I know a guy that totaled it think 5 cars in a years time. What was going to make the difference FWD or RWD? insurance pays the claim anyway.

I agree they would need torque steer management of some kind.

 

Cadillac is leading GM back to RWD big cars. The problem is that GM is so slow in reacting to market forces. They used to lead, now they follow. The plant that produced F-body cars was bulldozed and the one that produced the Caprice and old SS was converted to Tahoe production.

Jim

 

All I can say is...
Wait for the Zeta platform
I agree that powerful FWD cars are woeful

 

They don'y have the platform for RWD they where going to have some RWD cars but it was put on hold because of money problems.

 

The big 3 don't see cars as a huge money maker-because they really aren't. Chrysler took a big chance with RWD in the 300C, Magnum, Charger, and it won BIG. Even so, the highest amount of R&D and especially $$$ still goes towards Trucks and SUV's. I think Chevy will see a RWD car in a few years, will it be too late, who knows.

 

I want to see RWD cars again. I don't care what anyone else says, driving cars with RWD is just so much more fun. I'd imagine thaty RWD cars would be a little more durable as well.

 

The problem with RWD is that the general public is conditioned to believe that RWD in inclimate weather is a death trap. For most drivers, it will be since they are unable to control a vehicle in situations where its slippery. They have been conditioned to believe that FWD is better because its newer, it rides better, handles better, and is better in bad weather. Granted, they are all false, but thats still what the public believe.

Me personally, I would never give up my RWD.

 

GM has the Pontiac GTO platform, rear drive with the LS2 V8. The '06 GTO has an overall length of 189.8 and a wheelbase of 109.8, the '06 Impala has an overall length of 200.4 and a wheelbase of 110.5. seems to me that they could work something out to have a rear drive Impala.

 

They could, however I don't think that GM would want to put their flagship chassis in an Impala.

 

Why not? If it means more money...

 

It may mean more money, however sales of the GTO will drop if someone can get an Impala with the same gear for much less.

 

...
That is a lot harder task that what you may imagine.
The chassis of the GTO (slightly based of an older Opel Senator chassis) is worlds apart from that of the Impala.
Not to mention the body.

As for RWD cars being more durable... nope. One look at a 4 cylinder Camry or Accord with 300,000miles on it will tell you that.