Copyright jalopnik
Modularity is the name of the game in the business models of today's automaker conglomerates. So, modifying the platform to expand the use case for our hypothetical Cobalt and Malibu makes it much easier for us to pretend that these day dreams could become a reality. What nameplate would be more appropriate for such a vehicle application than the Impala? The last Chevy Impala built was a 2020 model, and the automaker hasn't offered a full-size sedan since then. In our world, Impala would return as either a wagon or a sedan. To justify this business need, we've decided that Chevy would offer the hypothetical, subcompact Cobalt in sedan or hatchback form while the hypothetical Malibu is exclusively a sedan. This leaves room for sales of the full-size Impala wagon to flourish. Because, in our world, everyone in the North American market understands the appeal and value of a wagon. The turbo-four engines fit in this vehicle application, too, though we think a V6 is warranted in this case. The naturally aspirated 3.6-liter has already been paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission in a front-wheel drive application: the current Chevy Blazer. In other words, the bones are there, but GM would still need to invest in designing a new body and deal with all the red tape and expenses associated with it. Still, we can't help but think that consumers would appreciate a bow-tie-branded vehicle option that offered the same practicality and stylistic appeal of the current Blazer but in sedan or wagon form, especially given how saturated with crossovers the market currently is. Oh well. At least we can dream.
