Chevrolet‘s official confirmation of the SS Performance sedan has created a flurry of new questions surrounding the upcoming model, as automotive enthusiasts from around the world are eager to find out about the vehicle’s styling, powertrain, and interior options, to name a few. But one particular question has caused the GM Authority inbox to burst at its seams over the last few days. Specifically, would the SS sedan be limited in production only in its introductory model year… or during its entire life cycle?
After reaching out to Chevy’s PR team, we were told that the SS will always be a limited production model, not just for the first year. The automaker isn’t ready to discuss production volumes just yet, but we were also told that it’s safe to call the vehicle a niche model in the Chevy lineup.
Like it or not, that’s the reality. Knowing this, does this change your opinion and expectations for the car? Sound off in the comments below!
Comments
Hopefully this plan is flexible. What if this sedan sells nearly as well, or even better than the Camaro? Are they going to just miss out on that opportunity for profit?
That would be an interesting turn of events. But I don’t think demand would ever reach that high of a level. Even so, there’s no reason they can’t ramp up exports… up until the capacity of Port Elizabeth.
Well at least we’re getting a hi-po V8 RWD sedan…it WILL BE v8 and RWD right?
V8 RWD is for sure. I’ve heard there won’t even be a base V6.
AWD and manual? That’s what I want to know.
Win on Sunday…Not available on Monday. Probably makes it out of most fans price range. Probably will come loaded with and forget about ordering one.
Probably means sedan only, fully loaded-guess $38-45k
Wa-gone
Dammit
Good! Keep the production numbers low so there won’t ever be a glut of SS’s.
If it’s only 38-45 I’m in. My fear is it will start in the mid to upper 40s and be hard enough to find you will be lucky to buy one for less than 50.
You know I kinda doubt that it’ll be limited production because they say the same thing to camaro but it isn’t limited production.
Helps out due to the fact they won’t be slaves to volume or sales numbers
Do we know which V8 this car will have? The LS7, LS3, or maybe the LSA?
Personally, I think it’s silly to make production and availablity comparisons to the Camaro? The Camaro is available with 3 engines, coupe or conv., LS,LT,RS,SS or ZL1 trim, in other words, many configurations. It’s mission is simple, take it to the Mustang. This car, from all indications, will not offer a “base” or V6 version, 4 dr. sedan only and likely will be very well equipped with only a handful of options to choose? It’s mission would appear simple as well? Offer a high performance RWD, V8 powered sedan for the enthusiast who does’nt want an SRT Charger?
@ stanto27 my guess is that it will have a LS3 in 2014 and the new direct injection V-8 in 2015 model year.
An “SS” V8 is looking backward, OK for we, “Boomers” in which case limited production is fine but the “SS” needs to be cutting edge: a 350HP EcoTec turbo or a 400 turbo V6. This is also where the Camaro should be ! The V8 is just too heavy in the Camaro and the V6 is better but doesn’t have the HP and what’s with that shifter !! It needs to be more intuitive and the pedals need to be placed better OR even better, a dual clutch transmission !
The LS3 V8 in the Camaro isn’t what makes the car heavy; it’s the modified Zeta architecture that seems to be greater than the sum of its parts.
In fact, a turbocharged 6 will likely take up most space and be heavier than a comparable 8.
Nevertheless, I wonder whether the limited production of the SS is really constrained by GM, or if it’s a low-volume car due to demand (Camaro).
Alex,
I respect your opinion but respectively, disagree, with a turbo you can move the weight rearward (even so much as to the rear of the car. Granted the complexity of the powertrain is increased but I’m confident the SS’s handling could be improved enough to make that worthwhile ! The V6 Camaro’s handling is so much better than the V8’s it can’t all be just architecture. Didn’t Jay Leno build a twin turbo V6, I’ll have to check our his website !
I’m looking forward to seeing a ZL-1 to see what they’ve done to make it handle as well as they say…all in all I’d still take a ‘Vette !
I think I misunderstood you; I wasn’t implying that there was an architectural difference between the V6 and V8 — the differences are quite small, in fact. But have you tried the Camaro with the FE2 suspenders? The V8 does add a couple of hundred pounds over the six, but the V8/SS with the FE2 handles in an amazing fashion.
I still wonder, though, if the added turbo hardware would make a boosted V6 heavier than the 8; but your point in the location of the added weight is spot on!
I agree the LS3 weighs 415 pounds versus 370 pounds for the LFX. Most of the extra weight comes from the bigger wheels bigger tires stronger transmission stronger rear end huge brembo brakes.
Chev SS = Holden VF Commodore,
No all wheel drive, V6 ( standard in Aust ) possible – though unlikely, Manual also unlikely (6 speed auto std across normal Commodore range ).
VF being released late next year as “2014” model, export to follow once local buyers have sorted out the usual bugs from GM-H …. It is a major overhaul of the 2006 VE commode, sorry Commodore
5 bucks says its because of CAFE.
When CAFE started the had 3 fleets that they would count 1 cars 2 trucks 3 imports. This was to prevent the auto makers for bringing in Japanese cars to raise the fleet average. If it is still this way the tax ( $5.50 per 1/10 mpg below the average ) would not be to much for a limited production model. I can’t think of any other vehicle that GM imports. Under NAFTA vehicles from Canada and Mexico are not imports. They may even have some credits from the aveo.
Caprice ppv is an import.
No, it’s because Holden have the piority for production because the Commodore always sells so well here (No.1 in sales for 15 straight years up until last year, screw the Mazda 3!) plus there are more Commodore models here than there will be SS models. The current VE 2 Commodore (replaced the VE which was the G8) has these models:
*Sedan unless specified otherwise
Family/Comfort:
Omega
Omega Sportwagon
Berlina
Berlina Sportwagon
Sports:
SV6
SV6 Sportwagon
SS
SS Sportwagon
SS-V
SS-V Sportwagon
Luxury:
Calais
Calais Sportwagon
Calais – V
Calais – V Sportwagon
Although marketed as different cars, there is also the following:
Holden UTE:
Omega
Berlina
SV6
SS
SS-V
Holden Caprice:
Caprice
Caprice – V
HSV E Series 3:
Clubsport
Clubsport R8
Clubsport R8 Tourer (The wagon)
GTS
Senator Signature
HSV Maloo E3 (UTE):
Maloo
Maloo R8
HSV Grange:
Grange (only one model)
All of these cars are built at the one plant as well as the Holden Cruze. The Commodore is the face of Holden and so GM have no choice but to give it priority of production or face a massive backlash of angry fans.
Is production at Port Elizabeth so constrained that it can’t supply more SSes? Do you know how many shifts the plant is running currently?
It will be able to supply a decent amount of SS’s but not in a high demand. i would say the same supply amount as the G8 or a little bit more will be given to Chevrolet. Remember, the Elizabeth plant makes the Cruze, Caprice and Ute for Australia and New Zealand (ute also for South Africa) and the Commodore for Aus, NZ, UAE, South Africa and Brazil. Then there is the HSV vehicles for Australia, NZ, UAE and the UK.