Chevrolet SS makes Daytona debut

For the first time in 17 years, Chevrolet has a rear-wheel-drive performance sedan designed to deliver on the street and the track. The Chevrolet SS sedan fills the void left in the wake of the 1996 Impala SS.

Power comes from a 6.2 liter, LS3 V-8 anticipated to make 415 hp and 415 lb.-ft. of torque. A 6-speed TapShift automatic transmission and aggressive 3.27 final-drive ratio transmit the power to the 19 x 9.0 inch forged aluminum wheels and 275/35ZR19 Bridgestone rear tires to generate a 0 -60 mph dash of about 5 seconds.

The Chevrolet SS features a sport-tuned chassis based on the race tested, global rear-wheel-drive architecture that underpins the Camaro, Caprice PPV and Australia’s Holden VF Commodore. High performance components include a MacPherson strut front and multilink independent rear suspension and electronic power steering. Brembo brakes with 355 mm ventilated rotors and two-piece, four-piston calipers behind 19 x 8.5 inch front wheels with 245/40ZR19 tires round out the suspension.

Performance is enhanced by the near 50/50 weight distribution and a low center of gravity aided by lightweight aluminum hood and trunk panels which are 30% lighter than similar steel components.

On the inside the Chevrolet SS is fitted with bolstered eight-way power front seats covered in leather, a soft-touch instrument panel finish with prominent SS emblem and ice blue ambient lighting. The integrated center stack houses a color, in-dashboard touch screen to support Chevrolet MyLink and the next-generation navigation system, Bose Nine-speaker premium audio and climate and other vehicle controls.

Other standard features of the Chevrolet SS include push-button start, color heads-up display, Stabilitrak ESC, Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Side Blind Zone Alert and rear-vision camera with Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The SS will also be the first Chevrolet to offer hands free Automatic Park Assist. Using the ultrasonic sensing systems, APA will detect the width and depth of either parallel or reverse right-angle parking spaces then control the necessary steering inputs, while the driver operates the throttle and transmission, to neatly park the SS.

Pricing will be set closer to an on sale date in the fourth quarter of 2013. When it arrives, it will join Corvette and Camaro in a lineup which has made Chevrolet America’s favorite performance brand for the last two years.


Photo Credit:  Chevrolet

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