2004 Chevy Impala SS Rumbles Into Chicago
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Chevy Impala SS Returns In 2004 With More Muscle, Tighter Handling Worthy Of Legendary Badge
CHICAGO – Impala SS, the car that began Chevrolet’s legendary SS bloodline, will return to the Chevy lineup as a 2004 model. The announcement was made during the 2003 Chicago Auto Show.
The 2004 Chevy Impala SS will deliver more power and tighter handling with a 240-horsepower 3800 supercharged V-6, beefed-up four-wheel independent suspension and high-performance speed-rated tires with 17-inch diamond-cut cast aluminum wheels. The monochromatic black SS also will feature bright stainless steel dual exhaust tips, fog lamps, a six-gauge cluster including boost gauge, and "SS" badging.
"The 2004 Impala SS will be a thoroughly contemporary interpretation of the style and performance that built the SS heritage beginning with the ’61 Impala Super Sport," said Kurt Ritter, Chevrolet general manager. "True to this legacy, the 2004 Impala SS will be a great value compared to other cars with similar performance, and well within the reach of mainstream customers."
While boosting the performance equation, the new SS variant also will continue to offer features that set Impala apart from mid-size sedan competitors: a comprehensive safety package, solid body structure, room for five passengers, plenty of cargo space, a surprising number of amenities for the price, and a track record of outstanding quality, reliability and durability. Impala earned a 5 star/5 star safety rating, the highest U. S. government safety rating in front crash testing.
"The powertrain and chassis improvements make this car worthy of the SS badge," said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet marketing director. "The Impala SS will be a car you can live with every day without making a lot of compromises – a fun-to-drive sport sedan that builds on Chevrolet’s heritage of providing attainable performance for enthusiasts."
Chevrolet is working with the GM Performance Division to develop the Impala SS and other SS vehicles that feature strong acceleration, enhanced handling and uncompromised driveability. The first result of this collaboration is the 2003 Silverado SS extended cab short bed pickup, available in the first quarter of 2003. A new Monte Carlo SS, also featuring the supercharged version of the 3800, will debut as a 2004 model.
3800 Supercharged V-6
The Impala SS will feature the 3800 Series II supercharged V-6. This award-winning engine features a torque curve that is consistently high over a broad operating range, providing instant off-the-line acceleration and ample power for highway merging and passing. The 3.8-liter engine generates 240 hp at 5200 rpm, and an impressive 280 lb.-ft. of torque at 3600 rpm giving Impala SS excellent off-the-line performance.
The 3800 SC features a 90-cubic-inch supercharger. Performance has been enhanced over the years by refining software in the Powertrain Control Module. As a result, the engine delivers power in a smooth, linear fashion – with virtually no supercharger lag – by adding boost at predetermined points along the power curve.
Among improvements for 2004, the 3800 SC will be outfitted with a direct-mount air-conditioning compressor that reduces vibration for an improvement to the engine's already excellent noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels. In addition, powder-metal connecting rods replace cast-iron rods for increased durability and reduced weight.
In the Impala SS, the 3800 SC will be mated to the Hydra-Matic 4T65-E four-speed electronically controlled heavy-duty automatic transmission.
Chassis, suspension upgrades
The Impala provides a solid foundation for superb ride and handling. A unique extruded aluminum engine cradle saves weight and helps isolate engine noise and vibration, and the overall tautness of the Impala’s body structure allows chassis components to be finely tuned to enhance performance. Impala also features four-wheel independent suspension with MacPherson struts at all four corners, variable-rate power rack-and-pinion steering, electronic traction control, and large-diameter four-wheel disc power-assisted braking with ABS and race-inspired cooling ducts.
Chassis and suspension enhancements will provide the Impala SS with sportier ride and handling capabilities. Spring rates will be stiffened in both front and rear, and the rear ride height will be lowered by 10 mm. The combination will help reduce body roll in cornering and improves the driver’s "feel" of road conditions.
Impala SS also will get beefier suspension components such as 34 mm front and 19.5 mm rear stabilizer bars (compared to 30 mm/17 mm in Impala and Impala LS), along with refinements to the rear trailing link and rear strut mounts.
Goodyear P235/55R17 H-rated tires mounted on 17-inch diamond-cut cast aluminum wheels will provide Impala SS with excellent road-holding and cornering capabilities along with a smooth ride.
SS styling cues
Unique styling cues will help set the SS apart from its siblings and establish a link with other Chevy SS models. Impala SS will be available only in black with a monochromatic theme, including color-keyed bodyside moldings, "SS" badging, unique decklid spoiler and lowered front fascia with integrated fog lamps.
Other highlights include a Corvette-inspired body-color rear panel, a unique spoiler and dual bright stainless-steel exhaust tips. Inside, the Impala SS will feature a racing-inspired six-gauge cluster with boost gauge, graphite trim appliqués "SS" badging, and "SS" logos on door-trim and floor-mats.
Award-winning plant
The 2004 Impala SS will be built at the award-winning Oshawa No. I Car Assembly Plant in Ontario. GM recently added a third shift of production to allow Chevy dealers to keep up with demand for Impala, which has ranked in the "Top 10" in U.S. passenger-car sales for the past four years.
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2004 Chevrolet Impala SS Preliminary Specifications
| Body style / driveline: | four-door, five-passenger sedan, front-engine, front-drive |
| Construction: | two-sided galvanized steel (except roof) |
| Overall length (in / mm): | 200 / 5080 |
| Overall height (in / mm): | 57.3 / 1456 |
| Overall width (in / mm): | 73 / 1854 |
| Wheelbase (in / mm): | 110.5 / 2807 |
| Curb weight (lb / kg): | 3563.5 / 1616.4 |
| Engine: | 3800 3.8L Supercharged Series II V-6 |
| Displacement (cu in / cc): | 231 / 3791 |
| Bore & stroke (in / mm): | 3.8 x 3.4 / 96.52 x 86.36 |
| Block material: | cast iron |
| Cylinder head material: | cast iron |
| Valvetrain: | OHV, two valves per cylinder |
| Horsepower (hp / kw): | 240 / 179 @ 5200 rpm |
| Torque (lb-ft / Nm): | 280 / 380 @ 3600 rpm |
| Transmission: | Hydra-Matic 4T65-E, four-speed electronic heavy-duty automatic, FWD |
| Brakes: | power-assisted four-wheel disc with ABS |
| Traction control: | electronic traction control standard |
| Front suspension: | independent, MacPherson struts, coil springs, hollow 34 mm stabilizer bar |
| Rear suspension: | independent, MacPherson struts, dual rate coil springs, hollow 19.5 mm stabilizer bar |
| Steering type: | power-assisted rack-and-pinion |
| Passenger volume (cu ft / liters): | 104 / 2945 |
| Cargo volume (cu ft / liters): | 18.6 / 526.7 |
| Wheel size and type: | 17-inch diamond-cut aluminum |
| Tires: | Goodyear P235/55R17 H-rated |