2006 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS Coupe

For 2006, the Impala sedan got a major/minor workover, like its W-body mates, the Pontiac Grand Prix and Buick LaCrosse.

Unfortunately, the Monte Carlo got new sheetmetal only forward of the A-pillar. Everything else is carryover. Both come with 3.5-liter and 3.9-liter V-6s, but the SS treatment shoehorns in the LS4 5.3-liter V-8 with Displacement On Demand cylinder cutoff. A V-8 Impala has been rumored since the late 1990s, and now Pontiac has the same engine in the 2006 Grand Prix GXP.

All Montepalas have MacPherson struts front and trilink coil-over struts rear, but SS ups the anti-roll bars. Hollow bars replace solid ones, 34mm front (4 mm larger than the V-6's) and 19.4mm rear (up 3.4 mm). Tires are W-rated P235/50R18 AL3 Goodyear Eagle RS on 18x7.0-inch aluminum wheels.