A good ol’ fashioned rear-wheel drive V-8 performance sedan.
Chevrolet made a name for itself with its rear-wheel drive performance sedans years ago. There was nothing like that good ol’ V-8-powered four-door that doubled as a rocket ship and wasn’t afraid to light up those rear tires in a cloud of smoke. But the golden bowtie hasn’t offered one since 1996 when the Impala SS ruled the roost…until now. At the 2013 Daytona 500, the new Chevrolet SS will make its debut and mark the return of the rear-wheel drive performance sedan from the American automaker.
“The Chevrolet brand was largely built on the strength of rear-drive performance sedans, yet it’s been 17 years since we’ve offered one,” said Mark Reuss, President of General Motors North America. “The all-new Chevrolet SS fills that void and fills it better than any other vehicle in the brand’s rich history. The comfort, convenience, spaciousness and V-8 power make the SS a total performance package unlike any other on the road today.”
General Motors had been offering cars such as the Holden VF Commodore and Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle that were similar to the new Chevy SS around the globe for quite some time, giving the new SS quite a performance pedigree. Even the Pontiac G8 models, that were popular amongst enthusiasts, laid the foundation for the new Chevrolet variant.
Beneath the new sheetmetal is the classic formula for fun and performance. A 6.2-liter LS3 engine producing 415 horsepower and 415 lb-ft. of torque is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that can be shifted manually via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and features a 3.27 final-drive ratio. This powertrain will allow the Chevrolet SS to reach 60 mph from rest in about 5.0 seconds, putting it right in the thick of things in the sports car market.
While 415 horsepower sounds like a great for some classic stoplight drag races, Chevrolet also took a number of steps to make the SS a sports sedan that can handle its own in the twisties. MacPherson struts are used up front while multilink independent rear suspension geometry helps to sharpen up handling and work in conjunction with the almost 50/50 weight distribution and low center of gravity to provide superb dynamics. Brembo brakes with four-piston, two-piece front calipers clenching down on 355 mm ventilated front discs will bring things to a halt and hide behind 8.5 x 19 front and 9.0 x 19 rear staggered forged wheels equipped with 245/40ZR19 and 275/35ZR19 Bridgestone high-performance tires.
The entire design of the Chevrolet SS was created to showcase its rear-wheel drive layout and power that lies beneath the hood. The hood features a new power bulge and, like the rear trunklid, is made of aluminum to reduce weight 30-percent further than traditional steel units. The design team also gave the sport sedan a smooth tear-drop rear shape to emphasize its improved aerodynamic efficiency. For customers that opt for the Premium package, new jewel-like chrome accents, HID headlights, and LED daytime running lights will come standard.
Inside, the Chevrolet team focused on blending sport with comfort. A pair of eight-way power adjustable bucket seats with superb side bolstering come standard up front and come standard in leather along with the rear seats that can comfortably accommodate three adults. A special “SS” emblem is stitched into the soft-touch dashboard alongside either a satin gloss or bright chrome trim. The centerpiece of the cabin is an integrated center stack with infotainment, climate, and other controls.
The new Chevrolet SS performance sedan will go on sale in the fourth-quarter of 2013 as a 2014 model. The official pricing will be unveiled as the sale date inches closer, and the SS will sit alongside the Camaro and Corvette as the automaker’s performance model line.
2014 Chevrolet SS Specifications
Engine:
Displacement: 6.2 liters
Number of Cylinders: V-8
Aspiration: Naturally aspirated
Maximum Horsepower: 415 (est)
Maximum Torque: 415 (est)
Transmission:
Type: Six-speed automatic with paddle shifters
Drive: Rear-wheel
Performance:
Acceleration 0-60 mph: Approx. 5 seconds
Chassis:
Suspension: MacPherson front, multilink independent rear
Wheels: Forged Aluminum alloy
Front Wheels: 8.5 x 19
Rear Wheels: 9.0 x 19
Tires: Bridgestone high-performance
Front Tires: 245/40ZR19
Rear Tires: 275/35ZR19
Brakes: Brembo with four-piston, two-piece front calipers and 355 mm ventilated discs
2014 Chevrolet SS Video
2014 Chevrolet SS Gallery
[Source: Chevrolet]
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