I just did some research comparisons.
IMO, this is the specs for the optimum car that Chevy should build for the masses.
I'll include some current specs for comparison

Ideal ---- / ---- '06 Impala
Overall Length 192.7"---- / ---- 200.4"
Overall Width 72.3"---- / ---- 72.9"
Overall Height 55.7" ---- / ---- 58.7"
Wheelbase 108.1"---- / ---- 110.5"
Fuel Tank Capacity 18.1 gal. ---- / ---- 17.5 gal.
Track ???? ---- / ---- Frt: 62.4" Rear: 61.5"
Headroom-Frt. 38.5" ---- / ---- 39.4"
Legroom-Frt. 42.8" ---- / ---- 42.3"
Shoulderroom-Frt. 56.7" ---- / ---- 58.7"
HipRoom-Frt. 52.2" ----- / ---- 56.4"
Headroom-rear 37.4" ---- / ---- 37.8"
Legroom-rear 38.0" ---- / ---- 37.6"
Shoulderroom-rear 57.1" ---- / ---- 58.6"
Hiproom-rear 55.6" ---- / ---- 57.2"
Usable LuggageCap. 16.6cu.ft.---- / ---- 18.6cu.ft.

And now if they looked like any one of these:






But, I must admit, being from the old-school, I'd prefer the RWD versions!

Edited September 18, 200520 yr by rkmdogs

I go with anything rkm says.:)...but then again I love Chevy to be this:

Edited September 18, 200520 yr by HarleyEarl

The Malibu should be the car for the masses with the Impala more upscale and for typical American families who want a lot of space. The Impala's size right now is fine, it just needs to have a bigger interior for its size (and it should based on exterior dimensions). Those specs do look pretty good for the next-gen Malibu though, but keep the Impala where it is.

Thanks for the confidence Harley.........

However the assets are frozen, so you'll just have to wait!

Well, since I could not get the third pic to open in the previous post, I moved it here!

B)

You will note that on the above data, it was supposed to be in a comparison chart
format, the ideal data vs. the '06 Impala, but when I entered it, the system would not show it that way!

Edited September 18, 200520 yr by rkmdogs

The Malibu should be the car for the masses with the Impala more upscale and for typical American families who want a lot of space. The Impala's size right now is fine, it just needs to have a bigger interior for its size (and it should based on exterior dimensions).

Those specs do look pretty good for the next-gen Malibu though, but keep the Impala where it is.

[post="16336"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Northstar, did you check the numbers?
The ideal numbers are from the '80's "G" body Malibu's, and I compared them to the '06 Impala!
They are like kissin' cousins! They are almost identical! The current Impala size is
the 80's Malibu size, by the numbers!
Now unless you know how to make a "blivit", how do you make the interior bigger,
while keeping the same outside dim.'s, unless you use Barthamew-type tissue
paper for the skin!

Northstar, did you check the numbers?
The ideal numbers are from the '80's "G" body Malibu's, and I compared them to the '06 Impala!
They are like kissin' cousins! They are almost identical! The current Impala size is
the 80's Malibu size, by the numbers!
Now unless you know how to make a "blivit", how do you make the interior bigger,
while keeping the same outside dim.'s, unless you use Barthamew-type tissue
paper for the skin!

[post="16344"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Are you not thinking? Thiner materials are being uses, as are smaller components throughout...overall things aren't made nearly as bulky as they were in the 80's. Notice how short the hood is on the new impala compaired to the old...the engine is not only sidways, but with less bulk emissions equipment, tbi or carburation and the use of efficiently designed electric fans the engine is moved further forward...thus allowing for more room in the car. Take a minute and think about it. They need to continue on w/ the way they are doing things, but bringing in more of the techniques that foregin car companies are using to utilize space. The big thing I see is American Dashes are too deep.

Edited September 22, 200520 yr by quantum110

I'd much rahter have one of those Malibu Classics or the Caprice than a new 06 Impala. However I have to admit the new TV ad for them is wicked cool.

Edited September 22, 200520 yr by Sixty8panther

You will note that on the above data, it was supposed to be in a comparison chart
format, the ideal data vs. the '06 Impala, but when I entered it, the system would not show it that way!

[post="16337"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Is this better?

                      Ideal          |     '06 Impala  
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Overall Length         192.7"        |         200.4"
Overall Width           72.3"        |          72.9"
Overall Height          55.7"        |          58.7"
Wheelbase              108.1"        |         110.5"
Fuel Tank Capacity      18.1 gal.    |          17.5 gal.
Track                   ????         |     Frt: 62.4"   Rear: 61.5"
Headroom-Frt.           38.5"        |          39.4"
Legroom-Frt.            42.8"        |          42.3"
Shoulderroom-Frt.       56.7"        |          58.7"
HipRoom-Frt.            52.2"        |          56.4"
Headroom-rear           37.4"        |          37.8"
Legroom-rear            38.0"        |          37.6"
Shoulderroom-rear       57.1"        |          58.6"
Hiproom-rear            55.6"        |          57.2"
Usable LuggageCap.      16.6cu.ft.   |         18.6cu.ft.

-RBB

yea I find that strange that the Impala, and the Malibu are trying to be direct competators to the Camry, but one of them is trying to hard, because the Impala should go after the avalon