Test Drive Qatar - 2014 Chevrolet Impala
As you can see from the back top trim has also decorative exhaust tips resembling Camaro's.
All this additional driving security features look like they have room for improvement.
Chevrolet Impala is one of those cars that are having iconic status and it was mainly due to it's models from 50's and 60's, beginning of 70's.
Weather if you are fan of Sam and Dean from Supernatural 1967 Impala
or you just know about Impala's from many rap videos.
Impala is without any doubt one of the coolest cars around.
It's not the only car in Chevy rich history that has iconic status, for sure Chevelle is one more gem.
All of those cars were having powerfull V8 small or big block engines, sounded great and looked even better.
Kinda made me feel wanted to request from auto manufacturers to make such cars again as the are so much cooler than cars nowadays.
One can argue well they've been doing that by reviving old pony rivals:
 |
| Chevrolet Camaro |
 |
| Dodge Challenger |
 |
| Ford Mustang |
however these cars look very modern and kind of lack that old school charisma.
With that being said I was wondering what would be new 2014 Chevy Impala be like.
Impala is now in it's tenth generation and it looks like it's trying to make a comeback although it's a hard thing to do comparing it with 60's and 70's SS Chevy's.
Here in Qatar majority of cars come with full options and in a case of tested Impala difference between options is mainly in the level of luxury. All engines are 305 BHP V6 which is top of the line.
This version of Impala comes with xenon lights and led head lights. Wheels on testing model were 19" however there is option for 20's.
Suspension on this car is fine however it leaves you with the feeling it's not always performing the same.
Top model comes with power sun roof which spans across whole roof.
Central area of cockpit features touch screen multimedia device which includes 3 USB ports, Sat Nav (which I find rare in Qatar), outstanding Bose sound system and bluetooth for your phone.
All of this can be also controlled from steering wheel and small drivers display but also by voice commands which I did not try out to be honest.
This car also comes equipped with some security features like blind spot detection (it will blink yellow sign in your side rearview mirrors when you have car in your blind spot). This works well.
It also has front collision detection system which will warn you but not break. Just warn. With blinking red light and beeping sound.
I also noticed this systems sometimes work as expected, sometimes not at all and sometimes, well it goes off without you having anyone or anything in front of you.
After some time I just switched it of.
Additional safety feature existing is lane notification which is also just signalling light on your dash.
All this additional driving security features look like they have room for improvement.
Car also has parking assistance with rear view camera which is being displayed on big screen.
Amazing and cool surprise is the button which will raise the screen and show you secret compartment with usb slot which can be also used for sunglasses.
There are many compartments like that around the car.
Now what about looks, power, charisma, image and drivers feeling while taking this baby around Qatar?
305 HP will give you enough power of acceleration when needed.
Either on roundabouts or overtaking.
Although when cursing this car just glides right after you press the pedal to accelerate it looks like you need to grab on the steering wheel and grab it firm as it feels like it would not go straight on it's own.
All four wheels disc brakes are doing the breaking job properly.
Driving this car around Doha will give you nice feeling as it's loaded with good features, leather seats which are ventilated heated and chilled, amazing Bose stereo, glass sun roof, good looking wheels but it's still hard to compete with Qatar car standard.
This car is still small compared to majority of cars in country.
When you drive behind big cars you don't see what's up ahead.
Although car being luxurious it can be easily mistaken for one of the Doha limousine services or taxis. Hence it's not luxurious enough.
You will not get a lot of respect in the far left lane specially in the evening where you will be flashed at.
There are few details which left me with mixed feeling about this car.
Although first impression is wow from all the features it has small things will boggle your brain asking yourself am I still in the same car.
One example of this is the way door shut. It could be better.
Other example is plastic used in some areas like around air vents and adjustable seat belt mechanism. Also some of the buttons on drivers dashboard are not standing firm but rather wobble around a bit like it's a toy.
This can be understood as you need to offer this whole lot of car for such low price and it's impossible without cutting corners here and there.
As I said overall feeling is that I'm left with mixed emotions and I'm not sure how this car would handle 3-4 years in Qatar.
Guess time will show.
But the big question is did Chevy managed to come closer to iconic status Impala had in 60's?
Well compared to previous Impala generations this one is improvement but I would say it's still far from iconic.
As of now Chevy does not offer SS Impala and even if they did I'm afraid it would look very similar to current kind, open, happy face, rounded, harmless looking car.
For starter new Impala should have been Camaro with 4 doors. And then you can take it from there. Add chrome, make it simpler, more mean. You name it.
Perhaps in years to come.
