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Rumormill: 2017 Chevrolet SS Poised To Receive 6.2L LSA V8?

We’re going to take this one with a grain of salt, but it’s certainly plausible. We’ve heard mumblings from sources inside the Elizabeth assembly, responsible for building the VF Holden Commodore Series II and our Chevrolet SS, that more power is coming stateside for the sedan’s final model year.

2017 will indeed be the final year for the Zeta based Holden Commodore, and the Chevrolet SS. While Holden is no doubt planning a slew of final editions to send off the Commodore as locals know it, Yanks may be in for LSA power. That’s right, the source has stated the 6.2-liter LSA supercharged V8 may find a home under the hood of the 2017 Chevrolet SS.

Chevrolet has been quiet on what will become of its halo sedan. In fact, the brand has never stated the nameplate is officially dying, with rumors of a replacement swirling after the 2016 New York Auto Show. However, it’s unlikely the SS as we know it will live on with Zeta architecture.

Should the LSA make its way to the 2017 SS performance sedan, it would mean a major power bump. Currently, the Chevrolet SS performance sedan makes do with only 415 hp from the 6.2-liter LS3 V8. If Holden Special Vehicles is any indicator, power could increase to a healthy 580 hp from the supercharged LSA.

We’ll know more as Holden prepares the 2017 model year Commodore later this fall for Australia, indicating changes forthcoming for the Chevrolet SS.

Former GM Authority staff writer.

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Comments

  1. I doubt it. I mean, I’d love it. But, I doubt it. If the LSA goes in, it’s going in for Holden. I just can’t see GMNA doing the validation work. I wish they would…

    Reply
  2. The best vehicle with a Chevrolet name plate ever produced in my opinion and one that GM can’t be bothered marketing in strength . The best sports sedan on the market , bar none , and available with a great manual transmission . It is a testament to the workers ability at Holden that they produced this superb vehicle and also designed the incomparable Avenir etc. Too bad they didn’t march in mass to the government buildings in the capital city to demand Holden be saved instead of meekly accepting their union bargained payout . To me , GM’s involvement in Holden wasn’t dynamic or long term full steam ahead , take no prisoners approach , but what do I know !….just feels like such a waste !!

    Reply
  3. Typical GM, limited production overpriced cars for there best model. Sell the police package caprice to the public arround 30k and watch them fly out the door and to the racetrack. Remember the 5.0 mustang Fords parts bin car that for 4 years was the car everyone wanted.. build a stripped model with the 6.0 truck motor and transmission and sell it to us. I have 3 kids and need a big car just wont spend 50k for one…

    Reply
    1. Who pays MSRP for anything?

      With the 20% rebate right now, you can get a brand new 2016 SS for $37k after discounts!!

      The performance sedan deal of the century!!

      Reply
      1. yup got mine this week. Love it. Love the deal. I feel like I got away with murder. Insane deal.

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      2. I wish…

        If anyone can find me 20% off on a stick im on it. They are all autos.

        Reply
  4. it wont b 50K, keep going up

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  5. Well it is a car that was born at a bad time and in the wrong place for NA.

    Exchange rates. The dropping sales in Australia.

    The aging platform it is on now.

    The fact that even a Malibu today will set you back $35,000 and not even be loaded tells the story of the price.

    Future MPG CAFE issues.

    This car just had a lot of situations there it just is not in the cards. If GM did not have to have gone though the Bail out this car would have been here sooner. Al Oppenhieser told me that personally years ago just after the bail out.

    GM was and is more focused on making money than just selling cars and bringing this car here is just not as profitable as selling other boring domestic I hate to say.

    I am a fan of this car and have been since the G8. But there was just too much that got in the way.

    Now my hope or should I say dream is that Chevy can bring a new Alpha replacment to the market that could be shared with many Camaro parts. This would help leverage both models. It would be a 4 door named Impala if I had my way.

    They could sell it as the market demanded with more profits with it being built in Michigan.

    They also could leverage out the MPG with a Tubo 4 and V6 that not only would bet better MPG but could be sold like the Camaro around $28K and $31K respectfully. Then the SS can do as the Camaro SS does and do much more at the higher competitive price of the segment but yet less than $50K

    Sure it would lack much of the Cadillac toys but it would bring RWD and a good solid sedan to the market.

    Even the V6 should do 13’s in the quarter mile as the Camaro does at the cheaper price. Ford and Chrysler would have no real response for a modem lighter RWD.

    That is my hope and dream. Will it happen Hmmm I am sure it has come up at GM but as of yet we have not seen or heard a word on the future of this car.

    But trust me if they would do this car it would make you forget the present SS in a heartbeat as the less mass is really a key to true performance. This not only improves lap and drag times but also stopping and handling. The Zeta was a great car but it has come as far as they can take it. What they learned has been applied to the Alpha and it is time to bring it on.

    My hope a sedan could be engineered also for the RHD so we could share it with those down under in volumes they will support.

    But the fact of the $30K RWD performance sedan time has come and gone. It will not pass this way again unless Chrysler plans a fire sale to keep plants moving.

    As for police package cars they would not sell as well as you think and not as cheap as you expect in present form. They also show less profits too.

    keep in mind this whole deal is about making money and maximizing profits. It hurts me as an enthusiast to say that but it is the 800 gorilla in the corner that we have to accept.

    Reply
    1. Seeing as GM authority censored my last reply to you that was based on facts and figures Scott3 I wont bother anymore except to say your a liar about liking large cars. There is no more pro fwd car poster on this website than yourself, if your going to be wrong about Australia that’s fine but for gods sake don’t lie as well Scott.

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      1. David I am anything but a pro FWD guy, I drive them and accept them only because what other choice do I have short of buying a $50K SS or Camaro? I may move back to a truck now GM has a smaller truck now and why would I do that? RWD.

        David you may not like what I say but I just tell it like it is. If you have issue accepting the truth then that is for you to deal with. Where have I not been honest here.

        #1 RWD sales are down globally including Australia.

        #2 FWD sales are dominate including the best selling car the Mazda 3 down under.

        #3 The Zeta is old and at the limit of it’s changes for improvement outside a complete redesign but then you have an Alpha that can take over much cheaper and easier.

        My wish for an Alpha to take the FWD Impala and SS slot is not a good Idea? Alpha is a RWD and AWD platform. Would a FWD fan wish for that?

        Not sure what issues you are having but I would re read my post and it is anything pro FWD.

        The realities of lighter smaller cars and smaller and FWD platforms are all rooted in higher MPG and CAFE regulations. You and I are not going to change that and unless you want to spend a lot of money or unless you want to do a lot of walking you are going to get stuck with FWD at some point.

        I myself have only bought one FWD for myself. I also inherited one not of my choice. Both are decent cars. The SS is fun to drive and I really like it but if I had one thing I would change is it would be RWD to take the torque of the Turbo 4.

        You have two choices in life. Fight all the time and be miserable or you can learn to adapt and change what you can. I am not going to lie to you and tell you sure all the companies can make $25K RWD V8 cars as it is not going to happen. What you hate is just what is really going on. I may pass observations on reality but that is not always an endorsement of it.

        So if your mad you had better find another reason to be mad at me because you really have no clue of me let alone what I even stated.

        I take you are from down under. As like many there your isolation from the global market is showing. You have to realize your industry was just a bump on the map and is a victim of the globalization of all MFG. You sell less cars than California alone sells in a year. Today companies are not just about making money but making max amounts of profit per unit. just making money is not good enough anymore. Development cost in the future are going to be off the chart so they need to make money at the highest levels possible to survive. We have yet to see the last company die yet.

        Ford and GM are not making transmissions together because they are pals. It is about saving cost and making more profits.

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    2. Bogus. Malibu starts at $21,000 (and less with incentives). You *can* make a Malibu cost $35,000. But that is a white space play.

      The Chrysler 200 can be spec’ed out at even more than that. But then it becomes a rear-bias AWD beast, that is faster than an Impala or Charger V6 – with AWD heft.

      And that’s a laughable comparison because GM won’t even option its E2XX Malibu with available parts, like an excellent AWD system. So the gigantic pricetags on the high end are a luxury play – meant to give dealers options to incentivize with extra content thrown in for free. Hence why my 200S V6 cost only $16k certified – FCA played that game too much, and lost.

      I’ve said countless times that if GM wanted to import the Commodore with the V6, it would have sold exponentially more. They wanted to keep it low volume.

      GM thought the exchange rates wouldn’t stabilize, and they thought gas would stay expensive. They bet wrong, on both counts.

      Reply
      1. Chris I was comparing a SS of similar options as a Malibu. You do understand the SS is pretty much loaded less color and sun roof.

        It would not be fair to compare a base BU to a loaded SS.

        You can get a nice LT for $29K but a Premium is right there at $35K.

        Just keeping it equal in comparison. Just because you don’t like it does not make it untrue.

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        1. “It would not be fair to compare a base BU to a loaded SS.”

          You’re right. Just like it’s not fair to compare a loaded Malibu to a base SS. You could decontent the SS and still have an amazing, true track-ready sport-car.

          “Just because you don’t like it does not make it untrue.”

          Really cheap straw man effort… doesn’t look good on you.

          Reply
          1. Chris you can not contented the SS as it is not offered this way. You have very few options as they are shipped from down under and they do not want to deal with all the variations.

            Also they want the options on as that is how they will make money with the added cost of bringing them here.

            For a loaded BU $35K and $48K for a SS. Even gutted with the V8 you are not going to get it for less than $30K. It is 2016 you know.

            Now if they should chose to move and make an Alpha based model here in Michigan we could see more variations in options and engines. A iLE package even with the V6 could be done for around $32K and still deliver over 325+ HP and 13.6 quarter times.

            I have no hate for the car but I know the limitations of the import and the limitations of the old platform. The car is a dead man walking and my hope is GM picks up the ball and offers the an Alpha sedan in the Impala form with 4-6 and SS V8 options.

            My prices and comparisons can be backed up and are real. As for your stripped model SS well my dream of an Alpha SS replacement while remote has a better shot of becoming reality than than a gutted SS from down under from a car at the end of the line.

            Note if anything you may see a few supercharged models if anything with more options as a send off.

            Just because I do not agree with you does not make me wrong nor you correct.

            Reply
            1. “Just because I do not agree with you does not make me wrong nor you correct.”

              Tautologies are second only to straw men. People don’t like your posts because they’re so long and just waste space saying stuff like that, which accomplishes nothing. I’m done reading your posts… it’s a waste of time.

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              1. You sound as if I really care what you think?

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                1. nobody care about your comments on here Scott evidently everybody was saying good things about my comment you need to check yourself you probably don’t even own a GM vehicle lol

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                  1. Everybody? You had better recheck your post. unless you are posting under two names. Michael and Michael GM Impala JR? Can’t make up your mind or just playing games.

                    FYI I am a proud owner of 4 GM vehicles and one is a Pontiac I have had for 31 years and just won best of show with at a recent BOP show.

                    As for your 750 HP Dodge. As it is now the engine management knocks it down to get the tires to hook up. The extra power is just window dressing. GM with less weight and even less power can do about anything and more than the Hell Cat with the ZL1 that is coming.

                    Dodge engineers can only toss more power out as they are being starved by Sergio for cash to build a smaller lighter RWD replacement. As of now they have pushed it back to 2019 and even that is shaky.

                    So to keep them in the conversation the engineer brought back the canceled Hellcat engine to buy them time. It has gotten them some head lines but even in the road test of the Camaro and Mustang they do not even include the Dodge anymore. They said the older cars beat it so why test it against the improved models. I feel for them but I do not plan to ever own a Dodge do it matter little to me.

                    There is a massive shake up coming in the market and these big powered V8 cars will become even less common and more expensive in the line ups. The makers will offer them but they will let price limit the sales.

                    My recommendation is to buy one now while you can.

                    The coming ZL1 will stiffel most of the competitors in performance and the Coming Z/28 will take the last model to the next level. Less weight better brakes tires as large and sticky and more power will make this a 4 seat Z06.

                    Top it off I bet they out perform in go stop and lap times with less power than the hell cat.

                    It is not what you have but what you can do that matters. Smoking $300 tires may make some peoples nipples hard but real performance it fast quarter mile and lap times and stopping close to or under 100 feet from 60 MPH is what real performance is.

                    I work in the performance industry. We make and sell parts to make cars faster and generally many to prevent the wheels from spinning. Even John Force slips his clutch to prevent wheel spin. That is what makes you fast and brings the good times and numbers.

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    3. Scott you right that make a lot of sense what you tell me an I understand what your saying i need some knowledge on car an I need some pointer from your about car I see that you a big GM fan an you know a lot about your engines thanks for three info

      Reply
  6. you know it really pissed me off with GM GM got big motors that they can put in certain cars that can compete with 707 horsepower plus and they both get around putting in these little ass Motor in that unpalatable ss and they got Dodge and Ford Mustang putting a 707 plus horsepower in GM just not pushing it inwhat that car have at Legacy you make all the Impala look weak for the last pass 2 or 3 Generations that’s why I think people don’t want to buy the car and got a good look but it just don’t have that extra 700 plus horsepower like the others competitorsGM come on with the b******* you’re making your GM fans look real bad out here to these other competitors by the way I have Impala LT

    Reply
    1. Mike it is not all about the big numbers. There are many factors in play.

      MPG vs. gains in real performance. Most cars with 700 HP have so much engine manager they could do just as well with less power.

      As the Corvette people are reported to have said they were testing over 1,000 HP off the record but they also said they would only put in what they could put to the ground.

      Many other things are in play too. This is where if you can sit down with someone like Al Oppenheiser and let them explain the real world issues and the things they face that it makes sense.

      I have learned over the years there is a lot more than what we on the web think is involved. Also timing of new product is important. The first ZR1 came out and was very expensive in the 90’s. Because of it they had to delay the LT1 engines because they made more power for much less. It would have pissed off the ZR1 owners.

      Reply
      1. Need some advice scott on a car

        Reply
      2. How to make my 3.5 impala LT a little faster

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  7. I have reviewed all the comments, and as a GM owner, and lover of so many great GM cars the past 50 years, I have every intention to purchase and enjoy a Chevrolet SS. We have been drooling over the SS since it’s introduction…our only disappointment, is the black only interior, but that’s a simple fix. I would love to see the RWD Impala return, with the SS being the top of the Impala line, but GM does not seem to be listening to the Customer, unless they buy expensive Pickup Trucks. So for us, we just need to choose a color, for our SS, and add our personal touch…

    Reply
    1. I bought mine in 2014 and it’s still awesome, I might trade it in for a 2017 if they change the motor. great car and still a nice tight ride.

      Reply
  8. LSA in the SS won’t be enough.

    GM need to bite the bullet and ship over LHD versions of HSV’s GTS, or the limited GTS-R with the LS9 that will be coming out in Australia next year.

    The VF Commodore is a great car, but it’s not aggressive looking enough for the NA market.

    Its LS3 engine and the availability of a stick shift manual transmission as an option tell me that the people in the market for a drivetrain like that also want a little more aggression in the looks department.

    Factor in the HSV body kit, MRC suspension, the massive AP racing brakes, the sports bucket seats, the EDI, and you have a real car that still has as much interior room as the SS does, but now it’s a proper muscle sedan that won’t be mistaken for a Malibu.

    Yeah, it will cost a bit more than $50k, but it will also put the hellcat charger to shame on any race track. Heck, even the HSV Clubsport now features the LSA, for a lot less outlay than the GTS.
    They’re the cars GM NA need.

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  9. Part of the allure of the SS is the conservative styling. I have 45,000 miles on my SS so far and still love it as much as I did from day 1.

    Reply
  10. once again I’m back with new information 6 hours ago I was told that Dodge is coming out with a Hellcat Challenger with 750 horsepower and then down the line what I heard from that be coming back out with the Barracuda but 750 horsepower GM come on bring the big boys out…and crush the whole century

    Reply
    1. The Camaro ZL1 is about here…

      Reply
  11. It would be a great sendoff for a great car. I actually have one of the few Commodore VE V6 equivalent’s. (2009 Pontiac G8). They didn’t light up the sales charts in 2009 but that could be for other reasons. I would love to have an LSA Chevy SS Sedan, but driving 25,000 miles a year on average it couldn’t be my daily driver like the G8 has been. That said it’s a really great car and I’ll be sad to see production of the Zeta platform end.

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  12. PLEASE BUILD THE FINAL YEAR MODEL SS WITH A SUPERCHARGED ENGINE!!! (shouting intended) As soon as it is official I will be in to order mine….

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  13. I wish they would just worry about fixing the 2016 so people can take delivery of their cars like myself. I buy a new car and GM puts a stop sale on them. I just want to drive the car. This seat recall needs to be fixed.

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  14. I wish GM could put V8-supercharged engine on 2017 SS sedan, hopefully gonna produce 560 hp around. The current model(2016) produces 415 hp which doesn’t really count as high performance. I have tested on highway and local roads for one hour with current model. There are many things went wrong honestly, with 4 pistols brembo brake at Rear pad, I could not feeling the fun of driving it. I think safety is the most important for this car. There is no way to compare this model to charger srt 392, even someone picks the charger hellcat to do a compare.

    With my opinion, I would like to put older version of the Vette Z06 supercharged engine on 2017 model, and adding full LED lighting in front and rear for a more aggressive looking, also LED is great for safety. Replacing the 4 pistols brembo brake to 6 pistols to match the ”high performance” and stay 4 pistols for rear pad like the most current high performance models do.

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  15. The VF Commodore is a great car, but it’s not aggressive looking enough for the NA market.

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  16. We all know how that worked out

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  17. This didn’t age well. Regardless, the SS is a fantastic car, with many an owner dropping on a supercharger after the fact. LSA, Maggie, Whipple etc. 1resale is high, with the manual versions quite popular and sometimes difficult to find. Great cars, thank you Australia.

    Reply

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