GM cancels rear-wheel-drive Chevy Impala and Buick

Posted: May 26, 2008
 Email 3 Comments

Due to fuel-economy issues GM has killed plans to produce a rear-wheel-drive Chevrolet Impala and a Buick based on its Zeta platform. Both cars were expected to make their debut around 2011. You can blame the Bush administration and the new federal fuel-economy rules for this one.

The rear-wheel-drive Impala was expected to be 3 inches longer than the current Impala style with a long nose. The high-performing Impala SS version was expected to carry a V8 producing 350+ horsepower and would have gone head-to-head with Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger.

Federal regulations call for a n dustry average of 35mpg by 2020. 

Current U.S. models that share the rear-wheel-drive platform are the 2008 Pontiac G8 sedan and the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro. The 2010 Pontiac G8 is also expected to use the platform. 

 

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

[tags]Cars, Car, Auto, Automobile, Vehicles, Technology, Auto News, News, Automotive, GM[/tags]


Share |  Email  Print |




Subscribe & Connect

Connect with us on any of our social profiles below.

Subscribe to our e-mail newsletter to receive updates.

  • Dr. Hemlock

    Better start selling your GM stock now!

  • Matt

    Not a surprise, but it is not the RWD cars as much as the SUV's and trucks that cause CAFE issues. Better to worry about a bigger car that will sell at all instead of whether it is RWD or FWD.

  • Matt

    Not a surprise, but it is not the RWD cars as much as the SUV's and trucks that cause CAFE issues. Better to worry about a bigger car that will sell at all instead of whether it is RWD or FWD.