Chevrolet finally has brought the much loved and admired big muscle V-8, rear-wheel-drive performance sedan back to both the track and the street with the announcement on Feb. 16 that the new 2014 Chevrolet SS would be available in the fourth quarter of 2013.
The 2014 Chevrolet SS was introduced at the Daytona International Speedway as the SS race car version prepared to make its NASCAR debut during the 2013 Daytona 500.
Fittingly, to celebrate the return of the Chevrolet SS, the 2013 Daytona 500 pole position was won the following day (Feb. 17) by driver Danica Patrick of Stewart-Haas Racing who became the first woman ever to capture the coveted pole position driving her Chevrolet SS Sprint Cup car.
The second starting position was taken by Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports also driving a Chevrolet SS. Gordon and Patrick will start side by side in the front row of the Daytona 500 race on Feb. 24.
The new 2014 Chevrolet SS benefits from its proven, race-tested, global rear-wheel drive architecture that is the foundation for the Camaro, Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle and Holden’s VF Commodore in Australia.
The Chevrolet SS is powered by the LS3 Chevrolet V-8, expected to deliver 415 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. The LS3 is also used in the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette displacing 6.2 liters, more than the 5.5-liter V-8 powering the Chevrolet SS NASCAR competitors.
The 2014 Chevrolet SS LS3 V-8 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 according to Chevrolet.
“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.”
Superior performance both on the road and track comes also from its unique sport-tuned chassis that delivers competitive steering, cornering and braking 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 of the new 2014 Chevrolet SS 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, Chevrolet has paid close attention to the design of performance cues and premium details on the new SS.
“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 2014 Chevrolet SS is a true sedan that 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 is not short on current generation technology features with a long list offered as standard equipment including:
• Color, in-dashboard touch screen with Chevrolet MyLink and next-generation nav 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
And, just in case you feel the need to park instead of drive the new SS, it is 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.
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