We’ve been anxiously keeping an eye out for information on the 2016 Chevrolet SS, as murmurs and whispers have filled the internets with what we should expect from the Zeta-based performance sedan.
Luckily, the General Motors order has officially been published, which is how we know what’s in and what’s out for the 2016 model year.
If you were a fan of Perfect Blue (RPO Code: GNT) or Alchemy Purple Metallic (GWR) exterior colors, you’re out of luck, as both hues say sayonara for 2016. Slipstream Blue (GO5), on which we already reported, fills the void for the outgoing Perfect Blue, while no new blurple color of sorts has been unveiled to replace Alchemy. Other deletions from the 2016 Chevrolet SS include the CD player, the auxiliary input and fog lamps (T3U).
The fog lamps sound like an odd feature to wipe away from the 2016 SS, but not when you consider that this is considered a “mid-cycle refresh.” According to the document, new lower LEDs and signature LED lighting across the front end will be prominent. Those cues will coordinate with a revised front fascia and functional hood vents. Aerodynamics seems to have been a focal point, because the order guide also points out new ducts on each side of the front clip will be added, directing airflow into the wheel arches.
As for the rest of the exterior, the in-your-face chrome is being dialed down, the 19-inch wheels will switch to machine-faced cast aluminum (RO3), and the standard Brembo brakes will now be painted red. And, as if the exhaust didn’t already sound like a dragon clearing its throat, the 2016 SS will offer GM’s excellent dual-mode exhaust (NPP).
As we await photos of the revised front end, we expect the rear to remain fairly unchanged. Further whispers note an August 13 date for customers to place orders for the 2016 SS, but nothing has been confirmed by General Motors thus far. It also seems plausible these changes will apply to the 2016 Holden Commodore Series II.
Following are the RPO-level changes for the 2016 Chevy SS:
Deletions
- (GNT) Perfect Blue Metallic exterior color
- (GWR) Alchemy Purple Metallic exterior color
- CD player
- 3.5mm auxiliary input jack
- (T3U) Fog lamps
New Features
- (GO5) Slipstream Blue exterior color
- LED front signature lighting
- (NPP) Dual-mode exhaust
Changes
- (RO3) 19″ wheels design change to ultra-bright, machined-face, cast aluminum
- Mid-cycle enhancements: Functional hood vents, front fascia (lower LED at DRL area) appearance
- Front fascia includes a duct on each side to direct airflow into the front wheel arch for aerodynamic improvement
- Brembo brakes are now Red color
Comments
*Sniff*, *sniff*…..The SS just keeps getting better and better………*Sniff*…..And we all know the day is coming when she’s going to depart from us!!!!! *BAWL*!!!!!!!! Only to be replaced by a FWD, turbocharged econobox!!!! It’s like this car is being prepared in the greatest way for its burial! In 2017! Better enjoy it while it’s here!
Wouldn’t it be awesome if the final update to the SS will include the 8-speed auto and 7-speed manual from the ‘Vette?
Exactly. The fact that the Holden it’s based on will be replaced by a smaller FWD sedan upsets me. I’m angry for the Australians, and I’m an American.
It’d be nice to see the LT1 and the transmissions from the 2016 Camaro in this car, but I doubt it will happen.
Need something to go with that 8auto and 7m trans.
Like more of what you know you want.
Hp/tq.
☺
Sadly, it appears the only way we were going to get the 8 speed AT was mated to the LT1 V8 which would have been awesome!. With 2016 being the designated refresh year for the SS and with production ending sometime in calendar year 2017 -it seems GM is willing to ride out SS production with the LS V8 variant. On the bright side, NPP exhaust is now available as “standard” on the 2016 SS (I’ll be curious to see how much GM charges for that as it has been a $1,200 option on the Vette), which is good for an effective horsepower increase of 5 to 7 and 4-6 more foot pounds of torque. Curious to see if GM bothers to increase the advertised torque and horsepower on the 2016 SS to 420 where it now belongs.
This is the best car GM has sold in the last ten years , in my opinion . Go on the internet to Chevy SS forums …entertaining to read how much owners and prospective ones really love this vehicle . Men , women and family buyers , it is a winner to drive in town and with gusto on the highways and byways . It is the only GM vehicle that I have ever read about with so many 5 star reviews !
And in true GM fashion they are killing the company that makes them for you. With the rapidly dropping Australian dollar GM should have got us to make more cars for your US market.
Why not calling it Chevelle???
Report on a “performance” sedan with no mention of the powertrain …. HP … engine size? Fog lamps and LED lights do not make a performance car.
What is a “mid-cycle refresh”? What does that suggest?
That’s when you stop the laundry dryer mid-way, spray in some Febreze, and turn it back on.
When a car is about halfway through its production cycle, it is normally given an update to help it stay competitive against it’s competition. What form this takes varies from car to car, but it usually means a slight change to sheetmetal, as well as the addition of at least one new feature.
Can’t lie gas mileage was a concern. But I read on a forum 21mpg every week fill up. I’m at 21 now about once a week fill up, same tank size as SS
I’m looking at that and an used vsport
Hey Mk19, I was getting 15.2lt per 100km @ (ave cost) $1.30 p/ltr out of my SSV / 6 speed manual Commodore Sportwagon which equates to about 15.5 US/MPG. Don’t know what US fuel prices are like. I had to give it back when I left Holden but, you know… I’d have it back tomorrow because it was the best fun car I ever had. Went great, sounded great. Hang the expense mate! Everyone deserves one of these things once in their lives!!
SS-V has L76 where as Chevy SS has LS3. I’d check fuel consumption on base Clubby which is only 7kw more than CHevy SS.
I guess my point is.. Who cares if it’s a 6.0 or a 6.2 litre, 300 or 325Kw! Just go get one and enjoy it for a while. These things will be obsolete sooner than you think. If you miss your chance, you’ll never forgive yourself! It might cost you $120 a week for fuel.. But.. What the hell!! Just do it!!
Chevrolet traditionally positioned something above Impala. As Pontiac was being shuttered, management said no to a Chevrolet rebadge; instead, less than two years later, the new regime opted to position the newly refreshed Commodore as a pricey niche offering.
Personally, I think a base model SS at the G8 price would have been smart and worked to counter former Pontiac shoppers migrating to Dodge.
A traditional Pontiac name like Bonneville would have sealed the deal, too.
If they had brought over the Commodore range and called it Chevelle I think people would have been interested. Unlike with the Charger, there WAS a Chevelle sedan back in the day.
Give the people what they want….RWD Impala SS!!!!
New Blue color is not too bad. But they need to leave the CD Player in the Radio and some sort of Fog Lamps are essential. I do like the idea of Functional Hood Scoops coming in 2016
“The 19-inch wheels will switch to machine-faced cast aluminum (RO3)…”
I don’t mind the POLISHED (it’s not chrome, I’ve seen it in person) wheels, but I like machine-look better. The thing I find odd is the switch from forged to cast construction. Forged aluminum makes more sense for wheels of this size (less weight and thus less rotating mass); I recently had an opportunity to handle the forged aluminum Torq Thrusts from a Challenger and I was pleasantly surprised at how light they were compared to other wheels of that size.
The new pictures on these look awesome… I think the front end looks a lot better- I just wish they made some minor updates to the rear!
I think they are updates more thing in this variant.
I bought a 2016 SS with 11k on the odometer had it for 3 months now and I LOVE this car I have owned many of GM cars cutlass supreme, Calais cutlass Brougham, caprice brougham, Monte Carlo ss with 305 and 5.3, and 307s in the olds I even had a 74 cutlass with a 455 The SS is very understated which I love when a Camaro thinks they got something they get gap sauce and those 5.0 mustangs are mere mortals to this car and o by the way I had the rev limiter shut off and you definitely have to get use to the closing distance because you’re at 130 in a blink of an eye. I finally found a reason to sell my box. Chevy. Chevy finally built a worthy replacement.