2008 Chevrolet Impala 50th Anniversary Edition

The Chevrolet Impala has long been a favorite of ours. For 2008, not only will General Motors be marking their 100th anniversary, but Chevrolet will be marking the 50th anniversary of the Impala. Now before we get all excited and start dreaming of the return of the ever popular 94-96 Impala SS. We have to pop out balloon and come back to earth.

What we have for a special 50th anniversary edition is a dressed up Impala LT. Nothing too special, but for a paint and badge option. You will get an Impala that is a little different from the rest. The LT comes as an already well equipped grocery getter, though here are some of the major items you'll get with the 50th.

*Sports Suspension

*18 inch wheels

*Rear Spoiler

*2 Tone leather interior

*Special 50th Anniversary badges, doorsills & embroidery

*Choice of Black Granite Metallic or Red Jewel Tintcoat paint

Otherwise, the rest of the car is a pretty much standard affair. 3.5 liter V6 pushing 211Hp with 214 lb. ft. of torque. And will be a FlexFuel car. Able to run on both gasoline and E85 Ethanol. OnStar will of course, also be standard.

Now if I worked and GM(and I wish I did). I would have based the 50th anniversary Impala on the Impala SS. But that's just me. That would have given the just that extra bit to make it a really special car. I would also make maybe two or three thousand of them. After all, isn't that what makes a special edition a special edition? We'll take ours in black at any rate.

Source: GM.

PRESS RELEASE:

CHEVROLET MARKS 50 YEARS OF THE IMPALA WITH COMMEMORATIVE EDITION

DETROIT – An iconic brand of America's automotive market for half a century, Chevrolet's venerable Impala celebrates its golden anniversary in 2008. Chevy is recognizing the milestone with a commemorative model.

Like the original 1958 edition, the 2008 Impala 50 th Anniversary Edition is distinguished with unique trim and amenities, giving customers a special product infused with the fun-to-drive spirit that has characterized the Impala for half a century.

"Chevrolet is thrilled to mark 50 years of the Impala," said Ed Peper, Chevrolet general manager. "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."

The Impala 50 th Anniversary Edition goes on sale in spring 2008. It is based on the popular and well-equipped Impala LT, with the following unique and standard features:

* FE3 Sport Suspension (replaces the FE1 Touring Suspension)

* Four-wheel ABS

* Eighteen-inch alloy wheels (replaces 16-inch wheels)

* Rear spoiler

* "50 th Anniversary" Impala badge on the C-pillar

* Two-tone, leather-trimmed seats and "50 th" logo embroidered on the front headrests
* Eight-way power-adjustable driver seat (replaces six-way adjustability)

* Leather-wrapped steering wheel with accent-color thread (includes audio controls)

* Ebony carpet

* Ebony floor mats with accent threading

* "50 th" Anniversary emblem on the sill plates

* Two premium exterior colors: Black Granite Metallic or Red Jewel Tintcoat

The 50 th Anniversary Impala also includes a one-year upgrade to the OnStar Directions and Connections package, including Turn-by-Turn Navigation.

Also standard is the Impala's convenient flip-and-fold rear seats, the cushions of which flip forward to reveal a storage tub that serves as a covered storage area beneath the seat and offers convenient grocery bag hooks. A generous pass-through from the trunk can be created by flipping the seat bottoms forward and the seat backs flat – an exclusive feature in the midsize segment.

The 50 th Anniversary Impala is powered by a refined and efficient 3.5L V-6, rated at 211 horsepower (157 kW)* and 214 lb.-ft. (290 Nm)* of torque. Vehicles with federal emissions systems in the United States are equipped with the 3.5L engine, which is compatible with E85 ethanol fuel, allowing the vehicle to run on any combination of gasoline and/or E85.

When using gasoline only, the 3.5L-equipped Impala is EPA-rated at 29 mpg on the highway.