DAYTONA, Fla. –
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 |
