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2014 Chevrolet SS drive review
One of the best American sedans we've driven in a long, long time
By: J.P. Vettraino on 12/02/2013
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The 2014 Chevrolet SS is the first Chevrolet to take SS as a model name rather than a trim designation, and the first rear-drive Chevy sedan since the 1996 Impala SS.
No, the 2014 SS is not exclusively a Chevy at its core, or at least not a Chevy first and foremost. The billion or so spent developing this car will be recouped largely by its corporate sibling, the Holden VF Commodore. Its immediate predecessor, the VE Commodore, was Australia's best-selling car for 15 consecutive years.
The SS will ultimately represent a tiny sliver of GM's North American sales, providing the third leg under Chevy's performance stool with the Corvette and Camaro. SS chief engineer Dave Leone concedes that the SS “is not a high-volume car, in terms of its priorities and capability,” but he insists that it was created as a Chevy from the start, with key components not offered in any Holden, starting with the engine.
The SS's centerpiece and first draw is Chevy's Gen IV LS3 V8 -- better known as the base engine in the C6 Corvette. Horsepower peaks at 415 and torque at 415 lb-ft, down 15 hp and 9 lb-ft from the 2013 Vette, thanks largely to the intake and exhaust paths. Its transmission is GM's 6L80 six-speed automatic -- also developed for the C6 and installed in the SS with the same with TAPshift sport electronics and identical ratios. A limited-slip rear-end comes standard, with a 3.27 final drive ratio.
Read more: 2014 Chevrolet SS performance sedan test drive, review, specs, pricing and photo gallery - Autoweek
Follow us: @AutoweekUSA on Twitter | AutoweekUSA on Facebook
One of the best American sedans we've driven in a long, long time
By: J.P. Vettraino on 12/02/2013
Related Articles
The 2014 Chevrolet SS is the first Chevrolet to take SS as a model name rather than a trim designation, and the first rear-drive Chevy sedan since the 1996 Impala SS.
No, the 2014 SS is not exclusively a Chevy at its core, or at least not a Chevy first and foremost. The billion or so spent developing this car will be recouped largely by its corporate sibling, the Holden VF Commodore. Its immediate predecessor, the VE Commodore, was Australia's best-selling car for 15 consecutive years.
The SS will ultimately represent a tiny sliver of GM's North American sales, providing the third leg under Chevy's performance stool with the Corvette and Camaro. SS chief engineer Dave Leone concedes that the SS “is not a high-volume car, in terms of its priorities and capability,” but he insists that it was created as a Chevy from the start, with key components not offered in any Holden, starting with the engine.
The SS's centerpiece and first draw is Chevy's Gen IV LS3 V8 -- better known as the base engine in the C6 Corvette. Horsepower peaks at 415 and torque at 415 lb-ft, down 15 hp and 9 lb-ft from the 2013 Vette, thanks largely to the intake and exhaust paths. Its transmission is GM's 6L80 six-speed automatic -- also developed for the C6 and installed in the SS with the same with TAPshift sport electronics and identical ratios. A limited-slip rear-end comes standard, with a 3.27 final drive ratio.
Read more: 2014 Chevrolet SS performance sedan test drive, review, specs, pricing and photo gallery - Autoweek
Follow us: @AutoweekUSA on Twitter | AutoweekUSA on Facebook
