If you were a fan of the Pontiac G8, a new vehicle possessing the DNA of that short-lived Australian import will be making its debut much later this year in the guise of a 2014 Chevrolet SS. This large, rear-wheel-drive sedan is the first one offered by Chevrolet in 17 years, a vehicle that raises the bow tie brands credibility another notch.
Daytona Debut
The Chevrolet SS is the pace car for the 2013 Daytona 500, a race that will be held this weekend in Florida. Fittingly, Chevrolet has claimed five of the top six positions for this race, with Danica Patrick taking the pole position, the first time in the races history that a woman will lead off. Patrick, driving a No. 10 Godaddy Chevrolet SS, also hopes to become the first woman to win any NASCAR race.
The Chevrolet SS, like the Pontiac G8, is based on the Holden Commodore. The Pontiac is the previous generation model, the Chevrolet is the current model that follows the Holdens introduction in Australia earlier this month. Holden is a wholly owned subsidiary of the General Motors Company.
Holden Commodore
The 2014 Chevrolet SS is of unitized body structure and frame, a large five-passenger sedan that is built in Elizabeth, Australia. Under the hood is a potent 6.2-liter overhead cam V-8 engine, the same LS3 engine used in other Chevrolet models including Corvette and Camaro. This 16-valve engine is of aluminum construction and has a 10.7-to-1 compression ratio.
Estimated performance numbers should hold up when the car is released during the fourth quarter of this year. This engine is rated at 415 horsepower at 5,900 rpm and makes 415 foot-pounds of torque at 4,600 rpm. It is paired with a six-speed shiftable automatic transmission and comes with paddle shifters. Its chief competition is the Dodge Charger SRT8.
For optimum performance, premium grade gasoline is recommended, but that is not required. Chevrolet estimates that this vehicle will travel from 0 to 60 mph in about five seconds.
Sport Suspension
The Chevrolet SS is outfitted with multi-link MacPherson struts and a direct-acting stabilizer bar up from. In the rear, four-link independent suspension with a stabilizer bar is standard. This vehicle has ventilated Brembo disc brakes front and back, and rides on 19-inch polished aluminum wheels that are set within Bridgestone high-performance tires. The front track comes in at 62.6 inches to 63.3 inches in the rear.
Preliminary specifications has this car sitting on a 114.8-inch wheelbase. The Chevrolet SS is 195.6 inches long by 74.8 inches wide by 58.7 inches tall. Total weight is likely to push up toward 5,000 pounds.
Pricing has not been announced, but figure that you will pay about $40,000 for this smoker. It represents the public version of the Chevrolet Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, a model that comes with numerous amenities including some that rival key European sedans.
Technology Highlights
Technology features are numerous and include a nine-speaker premium Bose audio system, a color head-up display, Chevrolet MyLink, push button start and a navigation system with a rear view camera. This sedan also comes with multiple safety features that go above and beyond the standard spec for such vehicles including forward collision alert, lane departure warning, side blind zone alert and rear cross traffic alert. The latter feature is viewed within the rear view camera.
Automatic parking assist comes to the SS too, the first Chevrolet model so equipped. This is a hands-free self-parking feature, one that controls the steering as you seek to squeeze into a parking space.
Fall Arrival
Further details about the Chevy SS will be provided when the sedan hits showrooms Chevrolet showrooms.
See Also — Corvette Counterpart: 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS
Photo courtesy of General Motors Company.