As GM Authority was first to report last month, the Chevy SS sedan is real… and today Chevy officially announced that the car is coming to a showroom near you in limited production form in late 2013.
The model, as expected, will be driven by the rear wheels — the first time in 17 years that Chevy will offer a RWD sedan in the U.S. — and will be “a derivative of the award-winning global rear-wheel drive architecture” that has resulted in such vehicles s the Chevy Camaro and Holden’s forthcoming VF Commodore. In addition, the “much anticipated Australian-built car will benefit from significant technology advances which enhance overall performance.”
The SS, or Super Sport, designation has been a hallmark of high-performance models in the Chevrolet stable; the designation first appeared on a 1957 Corvette prototype race car build under the supervision of Zora Arkus-Duntov, with plans to enter the car in the 24-hour of Le Mans race.
The first production vehicle with an SS badge available to the public was the 1961 Impala. 453 copies were built containing performance upgrades such a modified chassis and suspension, power brakes, a steering column mounted tachometer, and unique wheels and tires. The latest Chevy to wear the SS badge is the fifth-gen Camaro, which made its debut in 2010.
In addition, the SS also be Chevrolet’s new NASCAR Sprint Cup racecar — pictured here — and will debut in its race configuration at the 2013 Daytona 500.
“As a passionate race fan and performance enthusiast, I am thrilled that Chevrolet will deliver a true rear-wheel-drive NASCAR racecar in the SS that is closely linked to the performance sedan that will be available for sale,” said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. “The Chevrolet SS is a great example of how GM is able to leverage its global product portfolio to deliver a unique performance experience that extends beyond the track. I am personally looking forward to driving it.”
Now, who’s in for some SS?
Comments
I hope they would do this for the Monte Carlo & Impala I mis rear wheel drive GM cars
OH HAPPY DAY!! So excited for this news. Was terribly disappointed when the NYIAS rolled around and there was no announcement. This is really, REALLY great news.
Saddens me a little bit that this day is officially the beginning-of-the-end to my ’05 GTO… on the other hand I now know what my next car is and just have to play the waiting/saving game. Sucks that I’m going to be wishing away the next 12-18 months!!
I’m glad that this sedan will be RWD, and be very mush like a stock car (allegedly). I hate the name though. I’m usually for innovation over tradition, but when it comes to names, either ressurect a beloved name like the Monte Carlo (Not Chevelle, a present-day Chevelle would pretty much be a Malibu SS coupe) OR make a brand new name that gets the crowd going. SS is just bland.
I also hope it at least comes in coupe. I keep on hearing “Sedan”.
Couldn’t agree more, Justin. I was very curious about why they got so lazy with the naming, especially since its going to inevitably cause confusion as SS is already a trim level. Just doesn’t make sense to me.
If (when) I get one, I will be doing a full rebadge to an HSV! The lion looks way cooler than the bow-tie anyway, IMHO.
NASCAR cars, as you know, have very little technological resemblance to real cars you and I buy and drive every day; the only way the NASCAR vehicle will be similar to the production version is in the front-end and back-end stickers (styling?) and the name.
As for the coupe… we’re already talking about a niche product with the SS Sedan. And since coupes are even “more niche” than sedans, you’re talking about a niche product (SS sedan) and an even more niche coupe. I haven’t seen the numbers, but my guess is that the coupe will be bought very, very, very seldom. Besides, the rhetorical coupe of this car is the Camaro, right?
If you check the 2013 Nascar Fusion and Nascar Charger you will see that for 2013 the cars actually do have stying cues (not stickers) similar to the actual production models.
I’m aware of the changes made to the race cars for the 2013 NASCAR season; even still, they’re nowhere near the cars we drive today in every single major element: powertrain, safety, production, convenience, dimensions, etc.
Agree. My point was for 2013 Nascar is making a move back toward having the cars at least “resemble” the road going cars. They need to do something? Ratings and attendance continue to slide…….
Got it. I still think they should use real cars off a production line, with adequate safety mods. I wonder, though, if making the cars “look” more like production models will be effective in curbing NASCAR’s ratings and attendance drops.
I would think it might help drive some traffic to the dealerships, but make no big impact otherwise? I was into Nascar, went to a couple races a year, not anymore. It’s more like a TV show than an actual race or motorsport? I also hear that the big fancy Nascar hall of fame in Charlotte is suffering from poor attendance.
If they used real cars, EVERY race would go Chargers, Impalas, Fusions, and then the Camrys. Every driver would eventually switch to Dodge, forcing Chevrolet (well, they just did) and Ford to make high performance sedans. Toyota would fall out because they simply aren’t capable of such a task.
Just made my day
GM deserves some credit for using the Nascar angle on this one. The Chevy Nascar teams actually can and certainly will influence the design of the nose and tail of this car and gain an aero advantage over the other brands. Reminds me of the old days of Nascar, race car first, then limited production model in the showroom. That being said I think the availability will be very limited and the pricing right around $40K, maybe $45K with all options??
From what we know so far, the price will be “very affordable”. I guess it just depends on what some people consider “affordable”.
But I still don’t understand how NASCAR is capable of influencing anything, even a design element, of the production vehicle. The NASCAR vehicle uses completely different chassis (tube) to start with, not to mention not having to abide by any kind of crash test/safety regulations… if anything, it will be the production car influencing the NASCAR vehicle — not the other way around.
And I was under the impression that in the “old days”, a vehicle rolled off the production line first and was only then modified with special safety equipment (roll cage, 5-point harnesses) and then put out ont he track. Am I incorrect in that?
In todays Nascar Sprint Cup you must maximize aerodynamics on every inch of the car to have a chance at being successful, I’m sure you’re well aware of this. Just enough downforce, just enough drag and depending on the track, enough air to cool the engine and/or the brakes. I am saying/guessing that the engineers over at Hendrick and RCR are right now testing this new race car and in turn saying to the engineers at GM/Chevy, “hey how about making this grille area a ittle smaller?” or “if you move the foglights over a little more it would help us?” The consumer will not realize any of it because it’s a new limited production car? Meanwhile an inch here or there might give the race car just enough extra downforce?
“Back in the day” powerful Nascar teams working together with the Mfg.’s help create cars like the Dodge Daytona,Plymouth Superbird,Dodge Charger “500”, Ford Torino Talladega and many others. Many if not all of these “special” models had aero packages designed specifically for the track.
Obviously the chassis, engines, etc… of todays cars have no relation to the road cars, but when talking only about the body and aero, this is a real oppurtunity for Chevy teams.
Ah, I think I realize where my disconnect is here. Your point in regards to NASCAR engineers working on the aerodynamics of track cars is spot on. However, I don’t see their research being of much use in production vehicles because the proportions on NASCAR cars vs. production cars are completely different.
So moving something over a bit here or there on a NASCAR may not apply to production cars because that part/piece may be 1 inch wide on the NASCAR vehicle but only 0.5 inches wide on the production car; in addition, since the height, weight, mass distribution, location of major structural points (A pillars, engine placement, wheel placement, etc.) are different as well, the aero research and subsequent carryover from NASCAR can’t be that useful… it would be, though, if it was something like Corvette Racing; just not here. Maybe I’m just not considering something else here… which is very possible.
Agree that development work done for the race cars is of minimal importance to the production cars. A big part of my thinking on this is from the 2013 Charger. If you take a look at some of the pics of the 2013 Nascar Charger, they show the race car beside a production car. The whole frontal area of the race car with the big “cross hairs grille” looks to me like it would have a tremendous amount of drag? I mean, who knows what the final rules will be, but I’m saying the Chevy teams have a chance here, since there is no existing production model, they really possibly can influence what the nose of the car looks like? Can’t they?
Another aspect of this car that is interesting is the name? Chevy SS? I have read so many complaints about that? Call it a Chevelle? Why? It’s a limited production, RWD performance sedan. I mean if you want a Chevelle that bad, go buy one! Last time I checked you can buy a very nice 66-72 Chevelle for what one of these will cost??
Yupp, my thoughts exactly!
Throw some Cruze hatchbacks in the trunks so I can have something to replace my HHR.
NASCAR yeah they should get more real. How about a stock block V6 for Daytona and talledega. 3 liter variable valve timing direct injection.
lets have some mule pics
Finally, the kind of car I have been waiting for from GM, especially if a fellow was looking for a rig to step down into from a long string of trucks. My only concern is that it might be a little on the small side. But at least Chevy is heading in the right direction. Chevy needs a Dodge Charger competitor.
So I have a question to ask of all of you: what is on your wish list for this car??
For me, the non-negotiables… what it MUST have:
– Standard six-speed, optional eight speed auto (for those of us with wives)
– 400 to 450hp, torque to match
– Chevy MyLink
What it SHOULD have:
– Aggressive looks, similar to HSV line
– Push button start, HID headlights, LED tails and running lights, up-level techie stuff, standard
– Leather, standard… not the cheap stuff either
– Moderate to highly bolstered seats… will likely be my DD, so somewhat comfy, but I also want to stay put in turns!
– ZERO FAKE WOOD! No wood period, this is a sports car.
– At least 18″ wheels
What I WISH they would throw in:
– CUE-like system with customizable gauges
– Magnetic ride control
Thats too much, MRC and Standard Leather? , thats Cadillac territory
If you want all of that youre going to buy an ATS / CTS
This is going to be a affordable performance sedan
Stuff you said thats reasonable:
“- Standard six-speed, optional eight speed auto (for those of us with wives)
– 400 to 450hp, torque to match (This is a bit much, maybe 350 for standard engine)
– Chevy MyLink” (Of course!)
– Push button start, HID headlights, LED tails and running lights (this not going to be a techies car)
– Moderate to highly bolstered seats… will likely be my DD, so somewhat comfy, but I also want to stay put in turns! (Yes!)
– ZERO FAKE WOOD! No wood period, this is a sports car. (I agree, but some people actually like wood)
– At least 18″ wheels ( maybe 16-17 for standard)
CUE and MRC should be Cadillac exclusive(except Corvette)
This is a CHEVY, not a Caddy.
And even if price was no concern and it cost more than an ATS, alot of people wont appreciate some features, like leather, so keep it simple, inexpensive, no frills and all performance. Theres nothing wrong with having them as a option though.
I don’t know man, my GTO had an MSRP of $32k when it originally debuted. 400hp, 17in wheels and leather standard. They can do the same with the SS without infringing on Cadillac territory. I’m not under any delusions that this is going to retail for low $30’s like the GTO — this should be a much better car than the GTO, just like the G8 GXP was — but IMHO the $38k to $45k mark should be the SS’s sweet spot. Anything higher than that and, like you said, I’m going to an ATS. Problem is that if you want power, the ATS-V will likely cost you $15 to $20k more than a top level SS (I would hope). CTS won’t be in this conversation — it’s going to get too big and pricey to be compared to the SS, especially the V-series.
Like I’ve said from the beginning, GM/Chevy screwed up naming this thing the “SS”. There should be no “entry-level” standard engine… it should be balls-to-the-wall or nothing at all. It’s SuperSport, aka the best-of-the-best, not MediocreSport.
Well, well see
But yes, the name is a really bad choice, SS, is a storied performance nameplate, and if a car’s name is going to be SS, it better live up to it, maybe the SS performance sedan thats just coming out should be the higher end one, starting 40k, and then they can take the “base” one out later than can start at 30k.
I wonder if its still not to late to change the name, because the confusion with SS the trim and SS with the car has already started. Im suprised GM didnt anticipate this, its so obvious.
I’ve had those thoughts all a long. An “SS” better be pedal to the medal or they’re risking a brand image crisis across the board.
Since the SS is limited production, something tells me there won’t be a “base” model per se. (What… a Chevy LT? LOL, nah!) The Chevy SS will be it, standing on its own. It’s safe to say this model will be basically like a sedan equivalent of the Corvette. For instance, Chevy would never put out such trim badging as “Corvette LT” or Corvette SS” because the base model Corvette IS SS. No one would expect anything less.
I hope this car looks a little updated from the G8. The G8s design and sheetmetal are kind of getting old. Also it needs a more creative interior design. And they have to remember that the Charger and 300 have 470 HP, so they’ll have to work to make it just as fast. Can’t wait for this car and I agree with Chris, I would love to see magnetic ride control.
Since this car is going to be built by the Aussies (just like the GTO and G8) unfortunately I don’t expect night and day design changes. If a “new” design is what you want, lobby to move design and production here to North America where it should be. It’ll be a hell of a car anyways but my gut tells me it would be/have been even better “here”. My .02
U.S. production is not entirely out of the realm of possibility:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2012/05/chevrolet-caprice-ppv-ss-performance-sedan-to-be-produced-in-north-america-in-a-few-years/
However, I would say that given the flexibility of modern production lines, it’s more than possible to make tangible adjustments to the same vehicle… Not that I would — I’d bring the Commodore exactly as it is. But that’s just me 🙂
So that would make this car a Full-size?
The Commodore (nickname — Commy?, hah!) is a midsizer. The new Malibu, while being 3 inches shorter, actually has more interior room than the larger Commodore. Either way, Commodore comes in at 193-194 inches long, putting it on the slightly larger end of the midsize segment.
If the Alpha is for compact to midsize and the Zeta is for full size why does GM need the Omega? unless they are going to use it as a replacement for the Zeta hmmm
I think its because Zeta is not sophisticated enough to handle the job of a world class s class fighter that will be the true Caddy flagship that will be the Omega.
Babersher — that’s pretty much spot on. Zeta is meant to be an affordable RWD architecture; the least expensive variant of the Zeta is the V6 Camaro LS (trim) — which starts at $23,000.
I’m sure you can see how building a full-size flagship luxury vehicle priced at $65,000+ on a platform shared with a sub-$25,000 car is not the best practice.
It is smaller than the Impala (current and 2014), and bigger than the Malibu. Holden claims the Commodore is Full-Size, but it isn’t that close to 5000mm long (About 4900mm; source: Wikipedia)
I agree with the platforms. They have too many. All they need for both sedans and crossovers (GM has separate crossover platforms, even though it is acceptable to put them on sedan platforms) are a subcompact, compact, midsize, fullsize FWDs, and compact, midsize, fullsize RWDs. Even less if you consider the fact that some platorms are flexible to stretch through classes (Alpha, Epsilon…)
The name is kind of the equivalent of the Ford GT. When I say Ford GT, people always think mustang. It will probably be the same way. And SS is not that bad of a name. Especially because unlike the GT, SS actually stands for something specific, Super Sport. If you don’t like SS, call it Super Sport. And also, when I said a “new” design, I meant a refresh. The Holdens looks are little basic and pretty outdated. They just need a small refresh, outside and in, to make it completely awesome. If they put it out looking like it does currently, it’ll look outclassed by the Chrysler twins.
“Especially because unlike the GT, SS actually stands for something specific, Super Sport.”
GT stands for ‘Gran Turismo’; Italian for ‘Grand Touring’.
Sure hope the new Commodore is styled more agressively.The Charger and Fusion will look great on the track in 2013. Hate to see a bland styled Chevy in comparison.Especially since the new Impala looks so good.
I don’t know about that. Calling the Commodore design “bland” is rather a stretch for me. In fact, I find the current-gen Commodore/G8 to be the most attractive vehicle on the road outside of the Camaro.
It’s not overly aggressive and not too conservative. Just right fits the bill — at least for me.
Well yes, but GT is a very common naming system. SS is just for Chevy (and recently Bugatti). It’s kind of more generic compared to SS.
GT usually stands for Grand Touring or Grand Touring; in Italian, it stands — Grand Turismo. It’s a vehicle made for long-distance driving, sometimes with a sports-oriented angle.
There are plenty of cars with the GT name; why can’t American vehicles have its own in SS?
The must-have: optional all wheel drive. Zeta was designed to support it, so make it optional. For me it’s not about performance, it’s more about all-season traction. Also, the Charger and 300 offer it. So does the Taurus, all competitiors.
Living in NJ where snow could be a problem, AWD would be the icing on the cake for me, especially since this will be my daily driver. I totally agree with what you saying Mike, but I think like Alex mentioned earlier this is going to be a niche product and strictly performance oriented. I don’t think AWD is in the cards. I would really hope GM would surprise us and put up a Taurus SHO killer, but as Mick Jagger would say, “you can’t always get what you want”.
Pony up GM! Give us the option of RWD or AWD. You’ll turn a niche product into one that sells out at every dealer the minute it hits the lot.
I’d rather have a new Roadmaster Sedan myself. 😀
AWD is essential? No, definitely not. First off the Taurus is barely in this cars class (if at all). It will weigh more and have around 70 less HP. Plus this is the first time in about 20 years for a Chevy RWD sedan. And you guys automatically want more. RWD is for a better drivers car, which is what this car is meant for. That is why they bestowed it with Chevrolets most prestigious name in their books, SS. I’m just happy it’s RWD.
While I guess I understand the reasons why it’s not, the only thing that I think would improve this car would be for it to be MADE IN AMERICA, by Americans. Just my humble American opinion.