In March, Chevrolet confirmed that it would be adding a new entry to its lineup that would also serve as its 2013 entry in NASCAR Sprint Cup competition replacing the current Impala. Now, the Bow Tie Division has revealed that vehicle will be called the Chevrolet SS, a name that resurrects Chevy’s revered high-performance "Super Sport" designation. While no photos of a production version of the SS have been released, Chevy has issued this official image of a heavily camouflaged SS in its Sprint Cup configuration along with a handful of facts about the car.
For openers, the new 2014 Chevrolet SS will be a full-size rear-drive sedan – the first such "non-police" vehicle to be sold here by Chevy in 17 years – powered by a potent V8 engine, most likely a version of the existing 6.2-liter V8 tuned to produce in excess of 400 horsepower. It will be sourced from GM’s Holden operation in Australia and use a modified version of GM’s Zeta rear-drive architecture – a platform family that currently underpins Chevy’s own Camaro and the Caprice PPV model and that will also be shared with the upcoming Holden VF Commodore model.
In addition to a host of "significant technology advances which enhance overall performance, the new Chevrolet SS and its enthusiast-grade Holden VF Commodore cousin are expected to share a good deal of other common components, including bodywork and interior elements. In an odd bit of timing, the 2014 Chevrolet SS is set to make its competition debut at the 2013 Daytona 500 Next February. However, the production model won’t arrive in showrooms here until late in the year. While the first generation Chevy SS is destined to remain an Aussie import, the next iteration — which should launch sometime around 2016 — is virtually certain to be made in America, and also could offer the choice of V6 as well as V8 power.
"As a passionate race fan and performance enthusiast, I am thrilled that Chevrolet will deliver a true rear-wheel-drive NASCAR racecar in the SS that is closely linked to the performance sedan that will be available for sale," said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. "The Chevrolet SS is a great example of how GM is able to leverage its global product portfolio to deliver a unique performance experience that extends beyond the track. I am personally looking forward to driving it."
