Chevrolet News:And Now, The 2014 Chevrolet SS

[William Maley]

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By William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

February 16, 2013

It feels like an eternity when GM announced that a Holden Commodore would be returning to the states as a Chevrolet, wearing the nameplate of SS. Well its official as GM has pulled the camouflage away and revealed 2014 SS.

We know that SS is the new VF Commodore wearing some Chevrolet badging. What we didn't know what would be under the hood, until now. The SS will be packing a 6.2L LS3 V8 producing 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. All of the punch is routed to a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters. Those looking for a manual are out of luck.

Chevrolet has made sure that the SS delivers on the performance mission and has fitted a sport suspension, Brembo brakes, forged-aluminum nineteen-inch wheels wrapped in Bridgestone ultra-high-performance tires. The SS has a almost 50/50 weight distribution, and a low center of gravity thanks to an aluminum hood and rear deck lid.

Inside the SS, Chevrolet has equipped it with standard features such as leather seats, Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system with navigation, Bose nine-speaker sound system, push-button start, forward collision alert and lane departure warning, a color heads-up display on the windshield and the first application of active park assist in a Chevrolet.

The new SS arrives at dealers in the fourth quarter.

Album: 2014 Chevrolet SS

9 images

0 comments

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

Press Release is on Page 2

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2014 Chevrolet SS: Performance Sedan with Racing DNA

DAYTONA, Fla., Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, 12:01 a.m. EST – As Chevrolet's first V-8, rear-wheel-drive performance sedan since 1996, the new Chevrolet SS is designed to deliver performance on the street and on the track. The 2014 Chevrolet SS will debut this weekend at the Daytona International Speedway as the SS racecar makes its NASCAR debut during the Daytona 500.

"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."

The Chevrolet SS benefits from the proven, race-tested, global rear-wheel drive architecture that is the foundation for the Camaro, Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle and Holden's VF Commodore.

The Chevrolet SS is powered by the LS3 Chevrolet V-8, expected to deliver 415 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. Also used in the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette, the LS3 displaces 6.2 liters, more than the 5.5-liter V-8 powering the Chevrolet SS NASCAR competitors.

The LS3 is married to a six-speed automatic transmission, which can be shifted manually using TAPshift paddles mounted on the steering wheel. With an aggressive 3.27 final-drive ratio, the Chevrolet SS accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about five seconds – making it one of the quickest sedans on the market.

To ensure that it turns and stops as well as it accelerates; the Chevrolet SS also features a sport-tuned chassis, including:

• MacPherson strut front and multilink independent rear suspension geometry
  
• Electronic power steering system, optimized for sport driving
  
• Standard Brembo brakes, with ventilated, 355-mm rotors and two-piece, four-piston front calipers
  
• Forged aluminum wheels, wrapped in ultra-high-performance Bridgestone tires: 19 x 8.5 inch wheels with 245/40ZR19 tires in front; 19 x 9.0 inch wheels with 275/35ZR19 tires rear
  

Handling is also improved by a near 50/50 weight distribution, and a low center of gravity – made possible in part by the aluminum hood and rear deck lid that are 30 percent lighter than traditional steel panels.

"Our goal was to create a car that delivers incredible grip and handling balance while cornering, while still being comfortable to drive on the road," said David Leone, executive chief engineer GM global programs. "The perfect weight balance and lower center of gravity were a big part of that goal because it enabled the team to tune for a more comfortable highway ride without sacrificing handling or driver confidence while cornering at the limits."

Similarly, the design of the SS blends performance cues and premium details.

"From every angle, the Chevrolet SS says power and performance," said John Cafaro design director Chevrolet passenger cars and small crossovers. "The combination of an aggressive rear-wheel drive stance and body-side attitude with the right balance of detail and refinement inside and out are the perfect home for Chevrolet's V-8 performance package."

The staggered front and rear wheels, which are pushed out to the corners, enhance the sporting, muscular stance of the SS. Up front, the aluminum hood features a subtle "power bulge" hinting at the power of the engine underneath. At the rear, the tapered, tear-drop shape contributes to improved aerodynamic performance. Premium cues include jewel-like chrome accents, standard high-intensity discharge headlamps and light-emitting diode daytime running lights.

The spacious interior of the SS will comfortably accommodate five adults, with 42 inches of front legroom, and 39 inches of rear legroom. Leather seating surfaces are standard, as are eight-way power adjustable front bucket seats with additional side bolstering that hug the driver and front passenger in tight-handling situations. The SS emblem is prominently stitched onto the soft-touch instrument panel which features two types of chrome finishes – a satin gloss and a bright chrome. At night, the interior is illuminated by ice blue ambient lighting.

An integrated center stack includes infotainment, climate and other vehicle controls. The Chevrolet SS also offers a long list of technology features as standard equipment including:

• Color, in-dashboard touch screen that supports Chevrolet MyLink and the next-generation navigation system
  
• Bose® Nine-speaker premium sound system
  
• Color heads-up display
  
• Push-button start
  
• StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control
  
• Forward Collision Alert
  
• Lane Departure Warning
  
• Side Blind Zone Alert
  
• Rear-vision camera Rear Cross Traffic Alert
  

The SS is also the first Chevrolet to offer Automatic Parking Assist, which provides hands-free parking help. This efficient 'hands-free' parking assistant uses the ultrasonic sensing system to detect the width and depth of either parallel or reverse right-angle parking spaces. While the driver controls the throttle, transmission, and brake, the Automatic Parking Assist controls the steering inputs necessary to neatly park the Chevrolet SS.

The 2014 Chevrolet SS will be available in the fourth quarter of 2013, with prices set closer to the on-sale date. When it arrives in showrooms, the SS will join the Corvette and Camaro, whose combined sales have made Chevrolet America's favorite performance brand for the last two years.

2014 CHEVROLET SS PRELIMINARY SPECIFICATIONS

Overview

Model: Chevrolet SS

Body style / driveline: front-engine, rear-drive

Construction: unitized body structure and frame; two-sided galvanized steel (except roof)

EPA vehicle class: large

Manufacturing location: Elizabeth, Australia

Powertrain

Engine: 6.2L OHV V-8

Displacement (cu in / cc): 376 / 6162

Bore & stroke (in / mm): 4.06 x 3.62 / 103.25 x 92

Block material: cast aluminum w/ cast-in-place iron bore liners

Cylinder head material: aluminum

Valvetrain: overhead valve; two valves per cylinder; roller lifters

Ignition system: coil-near-plug ignition

Fuel: sequential fuel injection

Compression ratio: 10.7:1

Horsepower (hp/ kW @ rpm): 415 / 309 @ 5900

Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): 415 / 563 @ 4600

Fuel: premium recommended not required

Transmission: Hydra-Matic 6L80 6-speed automatic w/ TapShift

Chassis/Suspension

Front: multi-link MacPherson strut; direct-acting stabilizer bar; progressive-rate coil springs; fully adjustable camber, caster and toe

Rear: four-link independent; progressive-rate coil springs over shocks; stabilizer bar; fully adjustable camber and toe

Steering type: electric power

Brakes

Front

Type: ventilated disc

Rotor diameter x thickness (mm): 355 x 32

Caliper four-piston fixed

Rear

Type: ventilated disc

Rotor diameter x thickness (mm): 324 x 22

Caliper: single-piston sliding

Wheels/Tires

Wheel size and type: 19 x 8.5-inch forged, fully polished aluminum (front)

19 x 9-inch forged, fully polished aluminum (rear)

Tires: P245/40R19 (front)

P275/35R19 (rear)

Dimensions

Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm): 114.8 / 2916

Overall length (in / mm): 195.5 / 5185

Overall width (in / mm): 74.7 / 1898

Overall height (in / mm): 57.9 / 1491

Track (in / mm): front: 62.6 / 1590

rear: 62.4 / 1612

Interior

front / rear

Seating capacity: 2 / 3

Legroom (in / mm): 42.3 / 1074 39.7 / 1008

*SAE certified.

Note: Information shown is current at time of publication.

View full article

[pow]

It's nice, but as a V8-only car, I can't imagine it being any more than a niche model. Chances are it will sell for at least $40K, and the market for such an expensive car without much visual character or a prestigious badge is small.

[balthazar]

lane departure warning & active park assist... really?

Stylistically its a major 'meh'.

[PONTIAC06]

I love the idea, but the execution looks really pathetic...

[hyperv6]

The car looks fine but what I have issue with is 415 HP? LS3? No Magnetic Suspension? No manual?

These issues on a 40K plus car is a major miss. Why by this car when there is much better options out there for the same or cheaper price?

All that is wrong here can be fixed very easy but why miss on the first try?

[Camino LS6]

Automatic only?

Oh, FFS!

[BigPontiac]

Automatic only....and pass...

[ocnblu]

omg only 415 horses won't pull skin off pudding

[Camino LS6]

So basically, after a five model year wait, we get an uglier G8 GXP plus a few gadgets and minus the manual.

Way to fiddle while Rome burns, GM.

Should have simply swapped the nose and badges and had this here for 2010.

Overthought, overwrought, and underwhelming.

...and very,very late to the game.

Edited February 16, 2013 by Camino LS6

[regfootball]

It's nice, but as a V8-only car, I can't imagine it being any more than a niche model. Chances are it will sell for at least $40K, and the market for such an expensive car without much visual character or a prestigious badge is small.

the whole point is that it is a niche model. the impala is the volume car.

[regfootball]

The car looks fine but what I have issue with is 415 HP? LS3? No Magnetic Suspension? No manual?

These issues on a 40K plus car is a major miss. Why by this car when there is much better options out there for the same or cheaper price?

All that is wrong here can be fixed very easy but why miss on the first try?

really people should be happy this car exists at all.

some of the other stuff may come later. Get a CTS v is you want all the other stuff.

What I am missing, white leather that the commodore has...

[Robert Hall]

No manual option? understandable--most American consumers can't drive a manual, and the competition (Charger R/T and SRT8) isn't available w/ a manual either......

I like the styling overall, but the front fascia is nasty w/ the trendy fish mouth lower grille. At least in 2-plate states some of the ugliness will be hidden by the license plate. And in dark colors the vile black plastic bar won't be as noticeable. What is interesting is the fascia isn't a Chevy thing--Holden has some ugly front ends on past performance versions...

Will be interesting to see how it compares to the Charger in inevitable comparison tests. I think I'd rather have the Charger--more distinctive interior and exterior, etc.

Edited February 16, 2013 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[frogger]

Based on the minor visual updates of a 5 year old design this does nothing for me, regardless of interior or specs (well maybe if it has managed to shed 300lbs since the g8...)

[Lamar]

Exterior: I don't quite love it, but I don't despise it.

Interior: No complaints whatsoever.

Powertrain: Engine output between the Charger R/T and SRT8 is an interesting place to be... which car does it compete with?

Also, in natural light, silver does this car NO favors whatsoever. (Photo source: Autoblog)

[Jonathon Rolston]

The grill and headlights somewhat remind me of a '97-'03 Malibu. I call it "Heritage-uninspired".

[regfootball]

reading the autoblog comments.....so many idiots.......all the people with the stupid comments, and 99% of those commenting can't even afford the gas on their 15 year old beater their parents gave them or they are people who will never buy a brand new car because nothing will never be good enough.

[Lamar]

Speaking of Autoblog, they posted a gallery of the live reveal.

I maintain my opinion of the silver.

[Robert Hall]

I'd like to see it in colors other than silver..silver is just so overdone today.

[Camino LS6]

Better nose, easier and faster, and also cheaper to do:

We could have had this for at least 3 years by now.

[hyperv6]

There is nothing that can fix this car faster than 7.0 liters and a 6 speed manual.

415 HP and parking assist the SRT guys must be having a toast right now to a good coming year.

Lets hope it make a better race car vs street performance car.

There is no excuse to have that little HP and not have an option for more.

Hell my 4 cylinder SS will do 0-60 in 5 seconds.

Edited February 16, 2013 by hyperv6

[Camino LS6]

Generally speaking, I have no problem with 415HP.

Except that it was available in Pontiac flavor..... in 2009.

What, exactly, have we been waiting for five years for?

[regfootball]

Get the car here first, add the special versions over time is what they will do.

Regal GS showed up as stick only first and now you still see a ton of them unsold or lightly used. I love sticks but honestly the car will launch better with automatic because then the dealer can take them as inventory with the confidence that they can actually end up selling it to a more broad swath of customers.

The average redneck that will be interested in this car through a chevy dealer is likely going to want an automatic.

[regfootball]

Better nose, easier and faster, and also cheaper to do:

We could have had this for at least 3 years by now.

i read something that said they might consider bringing the SS wagon here, but likely not the Ute.

[Camino LS6]

Get the car here first, add the special versions over time is what they will do.

Regal GS showed up as stick only first and now you still see a ton of them unsold or lightly used. I love sticks but honestly the car will launch better with automatic because then the dealer can take them as inventory with the confidence that they can actually end up selling it to a more broad swath of customers.

The average redneck that will be interested in this car through a chevy dealer is likely going to want an automatic.

Couple problems with that logic, Reg.

This car is positioned as a limited production piece aimed at enthusiasts. It doesn't qualify without a manual.

Remember, the G8 GXPs were nearly all spoken for before they were even built.

The other problem is that this entire platform is due to be replaced for 2016.

That means that there isn't time to introduce a better version and get any benefit from it.

This car needed to be right at introduction.

[Camino LS6]

Better nose, easier and faster, and also cheaper to do:

We could have had this for at least 3 years by now.

i read something that said they might consider bringing the SS wagon here, but likely not the Ute.

Not really my point in posting this, I was just referring to the front end - and how GM already was using it in other markets on this car.

This car (in whatever bodystyle) could have been here as a Chevy as early as 2010.

[Robert Hall]

2010 would have probably been too soon..they would have taken a lot of flak for having a G8 rebadge, so they waited until Holden had the MCE. Plus given GM's financial situation back then, it probably couldn't have happened.

Edited February 16, 2013 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Camino LS6]

2010 would have probably been too soon..they would have taken a lot of flak for having a G8 rebadge, so they waited until Holden had the MCE. Plus given GM's financial situation back then, it probably couldn't have happened.

Sure they would have taken some flak, but they would also have sold thousands of cars without the major investment of the MCE.

Major mistake, IMO.

[Robert Hall]

2010 would have probably been too soon..they would have taken a lot of flak for having a G8 rebadge, so they waited until Holden had the MCE. Plus given GM's financial situation back then, it probably couldn't have happened.

Sure they would have taken some flak, but they would also have sold thousands of cars without the major investment of the MCE.

Major mistake, IMO.

The MCE was going to happen anyway--by 2010, the car was already 5 years old in OZ..

[Camino LS6]

2010 would have probably been too soon..they would have taken a lot of flak for having a G8 rebadge, so they waited until Holden had the MCE. Plus given GM's financial situation back then, it probably couldn't have happened.

Sure they would have taken some flak, but they would also have sold thousands of cars without the major investment of the MCE.

Major mistake, IMO.

The MCE was going to happen anyway--by 2010, the car was already 5 years old in OZ..

My point remains, they reduced their ROI without reason.

[loki]

will the ls3 be a 1 year thing? will the lt1 will be vette and "truck" only for 1 year?

[Camino LS6]

will the ls3 be a 1 year thing? will the lt1 will be vette and "truck" only for 1 year?

Wouldn't surprise me.

[Camino LS6]

Judging by reaction around the web, GM better announce a manual option.... pronto.

[regfootball]

so you'd rather see GM not be in this segment for 3 more years and deprive those that want a rear drive chevy sedan and a v8.

[Camino LS6]

so you'd rather see GM not be in this segment for 3 more years and deprive those that want a rear drive chevy sedan and a v8.

That is an absurd statement, Reg.

The manual is already in production at Holden, they just have to offer it here.

[Robert Hall]

Motor Trend has a comparison article out today between the SS, GXP, Charger R/T and Hyundai Genesis, but it's not a real road test, just facts about the cars and stuff probably pulled from previous articles.

[Camino LS6]

Did MT have anything interesting to say?

[Robert Hall]

Not much...typical Motor Trend, lightweight...read through the article on Flipboard, it's probably on their website..

Edit: found it

http://wot.motortrend.com/by-the-numbers-chevrolet-ss-pontiac-g8-gxp-dodge-charger-rt-hyundai-genesis-50-r-spec-330543.html

Edited February 16, 2013 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Camino LS6]

From R&T:

http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-cars/first-looks/first-look-2014-chevrolet-ss-is-automatic-only

[Camino LS6]

'Nother MT article (with comments):

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/sedans/1302_2014_chevrolet_ss_first_look/

[Delta Force79]

After what we had as the G8, this is a big swing-and-miss if you ask me. That front is so boring, the rear isn't that bad, but overall this totally misses the mark. The Charger need not lose any sleep, not only is it better looking, but the SRT is still packing way more heat.

[G. David Felt]

So after showing a SS concept that people loved. They ignor what the people want and went with a Blah v8 car that will sell limited and just blend in and not stand out as a SS should.

Swing, Miss, Hit the shower. This was a lost opportunity for GM and they now truly are showing the bean counters are in control with no passion for anything special.

SS should have been special.

[Robert Hall]

That SS concept was 10 years ago...a different Chevy now than then...different time and place.

Edited February 17, 2013 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[balthazar]

No, it's pretty much the same place.

But I believe dfelt was referring to the flair & fluidity (& level of uniqueness) of the SS concept, whereas this SS gives a rather generic serving of the 'same old'.

[regfootball]

so you'd rather see GM not be in this segment for 3 more years and deprive those that want a rear drive chevy sedan and a v8.

That is an absurd statement, Reg.

The manual is already in production at Holden, they just have to offer it here.

Edited February 17, 2013 by regfootball

[regfootball]

No, it's not. GM would have had to pay to certify that version of the car. Plus, they have to gear up the dealer network to sell another version of the car that likely would not justify each Chevy dealer that is sizable to carry an example of note books in inventory. For a dealer to have 40 grand tied up on a car that may not ever sell for 18-24 months if at all when they could stock 2 cruzes....

RWD plus manual has to have one hell of a business case to justify gearing the dealers up to stock and sell and provide service instruction and parts and training......all I am saying is they need to justify it with a business case. Have you ever thought that maybe it just might be 6 months to a year and maybe we get the 450hp plus stick SS?

no idea WTF is up with the screwed up formatting.

[Intrepidation]

Considering his is being marketed as a performance oriented model, not having a manual is an oversight.

Doesn't matter though, even if it did and cured cancer it wouldn't please you people.

[Camino LS6]

If the case you are making is that GM could only afford 1 transmission, then they chose the wrong one for this sort of car.

Besideswhich, it's the same damn trans the Camaro has.

Edited February 17, 2013 by Camino LS6

[FAPTurbo]

Nobody's going to buy the car, just like nobody bought the G8 so they may as well try and have mass-appeal by not including a transmission that only 0.33333% of the population care to use.

[Camino LS6]

Such nonsense.

[Intrepidation]

If the case you are making is that GM could only afford 1 transmission, then they chose the wrong one for this sort of car.

Besideswhich, it's the same damn trans the Camaro has.

No, I was saying it should have a manual option.