OREANDA-NEWS. Anyone who has ever felt trepidation about handing their car keys to a valet will appreciate the 2014 Chevrolet Impala. The redesigned flagship sedan offers a “valet mode” that lets someone unknown take the wheel but shields personal items and information from prying eyes.

The new Impala’s available 8-inch center stack display is an interactive touch screen for the next-generation Chevrolet MyLink system but doubles as a PIN-activated retractable faceplate over a secure storage bin large enough to hold valuables like a wallet, MP3 player and smartphone. Addresses and contacts stored on MyLink also remain PIN-protected.

“Valet mode is the kind of feature that Impala customers will appreciate,” said Chris Perry, Chevrolet vice president of Global Marketing. “It is one of many great new features on our newest MyLink and a small part of Impala’s overall technology package.”

Impala owners will be able to access valet mode through MyLink’s Settings menu via a four-digit code, much like on a hotel safe. A confirmation entry of the code simultaneously locks the bin and secures personal information.

Chevrolet customer clinic participants showed avid interest in valet mode, particularly young car buyers who valued MyLink’s information privacy protection feature. Impala’s hidden bin also addresses customers’ frequently expressed need for a secure place to keep personal items out of sight.

“We were able to move the MyLink system’s electronics to another location in the vehicle, effectively creating the space behind the touch screen,” said Matt Highstrom, General Motors human-machine interface designer.

In addition to privacy protection, Impala’s next-generation MyLink system allows for increased personalization. Owners can click and drag icons on the home screen located in the center stack, similar to operating a smartphone or tablet.