Chevrolet celebrates 50 years (or so) of Impalas
2008 Detroit Auto Show: 2008 Chevrolet Impala 50th Anniversary Edition
What it Is
2008 Chevrolet Impala 50th Anniversary Edition Preview – Detroit Auto Show: Fifty years is a long time for one automotive nameplate to survive. Heck, many don’t make it past their first product cycle. So it’s understandable that Chevrolet would be proud of the 50th anniversary of its Impala sedan. Never mind that there was a decade there where the Impala wasn’t in the lineup, it’s been 50 years since it first came out, and it’s time to celebrate. But...but...why does the 50th Anniversary Edition have a V-6 engine?Why it Matters
There aren’t many cars that have a continuous production over the span of five decades, and making it to that milestone is noteworthy. We wish that Chevrolet had decided to make the Impala’s 50th birthday actually special by maybe introducing a rear-drive version on the same platform as the Pontiac G8. We also wish we all drove BMW M3s. Anyhow, a couple of new colors and some new badges might help move a few extra Impalas to the Chevy faithful.
What’s Under the Hood
This is where it gets odd. You can get a Chevy Impala SS with a 300-horsepower V-8 engine, one that transforms this car from a staid rental-fleet leader to something that’s actually fun to drive. You’d think that for the car’s celebrated 50th anniversary, this is the engine you’d find under the hood. You’d be wrong. Instead, Chevy is basing the 50th anniversary edition off the LT, complete with its 211 horsepower 3.5-liter pushrod V-6 engine connected to a four-speed automatic. It doesn’t even get the twin-cam 3.6-liter that we enjoyed in the Malibu. At least it gets the FE3 sport suspension.
What it Looks Like
With virtually no mechanical changes, this turns into a stickers-and-paint special, so we’re not surprised to find the exterior enhanced with new stickers and paint. Two premium exterior colors are available: black granite metallic or red jewel tintcoat. The standard 16-inch wheels are replaced with 18-inchers, there’s a “50th” logo on the C-pillar, and a standard rear spoiler.
What’s Inside
The interior changes are also limited in scope. There are two-tone leather seats with the “50th” logo embroidered on the head restraints, and eight-way power adjustability on the driver’s seat. The steering wheel is wrapped in leather with accent-color thread, and there are black carpets and floor mats with the same accent threading. A “50th” emblem is on the sill plates, and that’s about it.
What Chevrolet Says
Ah, the art of press release writing never fails to amaze. An otherwise mildly distinct “special” edition comes to life with quotes like this one from Chevrolet general manager Ed Peper: “Chevrolet is thrilled to mark 50 years of the Impala. Few brands can claim such a heritage and throughout the decades, Impala has always stood for the value, performance and style that has made Chevrolet America’s car.”
What We Think
Don’t accuse us of picking on Chevy here, as every manufacturer comes out with special anniversary editions that are anything but. Despite the bigger wheels, spoiler and badges, the 50th Anniversary Edition Impala is quite obviously little more than your standard-issue LT. That’s not a bad thing, as the Impala’s not a bad car, but we still can’t get over that it’s not sporting the V-8 engine.
By Keith Buglewicz
Photo credit: Chevrolet