Carving a niche
If the expression “broke the mold” comes to
mind at first glimpse of the all-new 2014 Impala' it wouldn’t be an accident on
the part of the new model’s designers. The design visionaries at Chevrolet who
are responsible for Impala’s evolution have carved a real niche in automotive
design and technological leadership of late. Today, the world is watching what
Chevrolet is offering with its most recent lineup of revamped and revolutionized
icons.
“Our design team was challenged to create
a new classic, but that didn’t mean relying on the past,” said John Cafato,
director of North America passenger car exterior design. “This is very much a
contemporary car, with design elements, craftsmanship and attention to detail
that complement its advanced technology and performance.”
Intelligent
design at Chevrolet drives the New 2014 Impala
The inspiration behind Impala’s new look is
one that reaches across the identity of the entire Chevrolet brand as it stakes
its claim on technological and design leadership and the future of automotive
design.
Chevrolet designers work in concert with
engineers to serve multiple masters - with each design, they must consider
safety, weight, fuel economy, acoustics, airflow and a host of other
requirements, even climate.
“Negotiating the competing interests of
design, manufacturing and vehicle engineers - all of whom have different goals
for an individual part or the vehicle’s overall design - can be inspiring,”
said Suzanne Cody, an aerodynamics engineer for Chevrolet.
With each new model, Chevrolet designers
set out to create an inspired vehicle, one influenced by the changing world
around us. The explicitly contemporary new cars in the 2014 Chevrolet lineup
boast expressive, innovative style, refined interior craftsmanship, and
pioneering, easy-to-use technology, culminating in a superior driving
experience.
A contemporary design ethos
The 2014 Impala exemplifies Chevrolet’s
leadership in contemporary design. In many ways, the debut of the new Impala
sets the tone for the brand’s entire new lineup. Built on an award-winning
global platform, the new Impala both aesthetically and functionally introduces
new levels of refinement, comfort, style and technology. It could be said that
the all-new exterior design serves as a composite representation of Chevrolet’s
design ethos in general, and how far it has evolved. Featuring a sleek
proportion, sculpted body sides complemented by available 20" wheels, and
HID headlamps and LPT) daytime running lamps standard on LTZ models, Impala is
very much a contemporary car - an embodiment of the Chevrolet commitment to
design leadership and incorporated technology.
Impala’s long, low proportion has a
windswept profile that suggests motion. Sculpted coves in the body sides add to
the design drama, with a signature cue in the rear fenders that acknowledges
the classic Impala silhouette, while a sleek new roofline gives the car its
commanding presence.
“This all-new lmpala delivers on our
promise that every new car that wears the Chevrolet bowtie will embody the
pioneering spirit that has defined the brand for more than a century,” said
Chris Perry, vice president, global Chevrolet marketing. “With the striking new
design and the right mix of comfort, technology and efficiency, we have
recaptured the magic that attracted millions of consumers to the lmpala
nameplate for decades.”
This
is very much a contemporary car, with design elements, craftsmanship and
attention to detail that complement its advanced technology and performance.
It’s what you’ve got on the inside
But it’s not a total package unless there’s
a world-class interior as well. For Crystal Windham, who directs the design for
Chevrolet passenger car interiors, including the new lmpala and Malibu, it’s
all about the driver’s experience on the inside that counts.
According to Windham, the main priority for
Impala’s success is “attention to detail.” Premium materials like available
high-quality suede-like fabric and perforated leather appointments lend the new
lmpala a distinct aura of refined elegance. Other stylish appointments
available include carefully selected wood grain accents, a modern and
aesthetically pleasing color palette, carpet and headliner materials that were
benchmarked against the best of the competition and unique, soft ambient
lighting.
And needless to say, seats that are
comfortable for long journeys go a long way with consumers.
“We wanted the interior to feel larger,”
said Windham. “We wanted to make sure that we embellished an interior that
rewarded the customer.”
In addition to the more spacious interior,
a fully reworked instrument panel features an available 8-inch diagonal color
touch-screen with the Chevrolet MyLink2 infotainment system.
Windham and her team managed to integrate the new technology with such a soft
touch that the space, while expressively modern, maintains the continuity of
roominess, coziness and refined elegance that characterize the overall design.
New lineup sees its moment in the sun
“The 2014 lmpala reestablishes this iconic
Chevrolet nameplate as a design leader, with bold styling that will turn heads
for years to come,” said Mark Reuss, president, GM North America. “This team
has delivered the comfort, safety, efficiency and technology that will
strengthen Impala’s leadership in the highly competitive full-size sedan
market.”
The
New 2014 Impala’s interior
