[TT C6]

I keep saying negative things about the SS Sedan.
Specifically, the fact that GM didn't offer the OPTIONS of AWD and DCT for the SS Sedan.
As a owner of multiple GM sports cars and SUVs, and as a lifelong GM V8 fan, it makes me feel like a traitor.
So, I've been looking for something positive to say about the SS, and here it is:

I think the SS Sedan is a BETTER car then the Camaro.
I think the SS Sedan would have been a SUCCESS if if i was released IN PLACE of the Camaro in 2012.

Why?
GM needs to offer a RWD muscle or pony car.
People want it and GM needs to have something to battle the Mustang. (even with Ford's pathetic solid rear axle)

The Camaro may look great and have the greatest RWD drivetrain on earth, but it's ridiculously heavy, has no interior room, and has horrendous visibility. The SS has the same weight penalty, but....

The SS Sedan looks great, had good visibility, while offering incredible interior room and 4 door utility. A high school kid, his car enthusiast dad, or his soccer mom all should have reason to lust after the SS Sedan.

SO, if the SS Sedan with a LS3 was released in 2012, INSTEAD of the Camaro, I think it would have made sense and been a superior competitor to the Mustang.
But, as "halo car" or as a "4 door Corvette", I am seriously disappointed with the SS Sedan until it gets the OPTIONS of AWD and DCT.

 

[TT C6]

I hope the Camaro is moved to a lightweight ATS chassis so that it can return as a true "pony car" and to further differentiate the Camaro from the SS Sedan.

I hope the SS Sedan gets AWD and DCT options next year.
If not, hopefully in the next generation.


(I hate not being able to add/edit posts after the limited time allowed. )

 

[isszy]

DCT might be a remote possibility if it is available in an existing GM product and HSV decide to push it for their cars.

AWD is a pipe dream and wont happen. Holden did it once before and got burnt by the GFC before it could become profitable. It was originally planned for the VE but GM pulled the funding. You can't just wack an extra diff in and call it an AWD - it needs to be designed from the ground up. If they are predicting even 10,000 SS's, maybe 10% would be AWD, so the cost of development would be outrageous for 1000 cars. Holden has very little need for an AWD as we do not have any snowbound regions.

In the good times, Holden vould afford to splurge on stuff like AWD. But in today's climate, where the general public already think the Australian government props up Holden too much, spending money on a luxury (to Australian drivers) like AWD would be very unlikely

 

[TT C6]

It's 2013, GM plans have global concerns and implications.
Your precious SS Sedan platform is the basis for the Camaro that is widely sold in the US, not to mention all the other variants sold around the world.
The world doesn't revolve around OZ. It's a global market.

Any climate with rain, and specifically cold, can benefit from all wheel drive.
Here in the Northeast of the USA, almost every sport sedan in the the predicted price range of the SS Sedan is ordered with AWD.
Chrysler offers the V8 Charger with AWD as a $2,300 option, so GM could have done so for the SS Sedan without a problem and still been profitable.

The new Merceded AMG E63 has AWD.
BMW's M division has gone from being anti-AWD to adopting AWD.
Ferrari has dropped clutch pedal single clutches for DCT across the board.
The anti-AWD luddites need to wake up to 2013.

I have no problem with people having the ability to order a RWD version of a car.
But, please don't force me into a RWD car or try to remove the OPTION of AWD from me because of ridiculous theories of AWD being cost prohibitive or come up with any other bullshit excuses.

Having the OPTION of AWD should be mandatory for a daily driven sports sedan. If you disagree, then you are saying Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Acura, Chrysler, Ford, Mistu, Subaru, etc, etc, etc are all wrong.
They aren't.
You are.

 

[isszy]

You have misrepresented my point. The fact of the matter is that while the Zeta platform is mainstream by Australian standards, it is a minute niche in world scales. Ans as such it will never have the developmental funding of the other companies you mention.

According to Autoweb, it cost $125M to develop an AWD system for the previous Commodore range. Zeta I'm sure it would be more. If GM sell 1000 in the US and 1000 in Australia for the 3 years planned that adds $20000 to the cost of each AWD. Would buyers pay this ? No way.

In a perfect world should this have AWD ? Absolutely. Will it ? No, GM can't afford it.

And I resent the AWD luddite comment. From 1996 - 2004 I drove a Subaru Liberty (Legacy) AWD and what I loved about it most was AWD. I would have bought a Holden Adventra when they were released in 2004 but could not afford one, so my RWD Commodore wagon has had to suffice.

 

[TT C6]

And I resent the AWD luddite comment. From 1996 - 2004 I drove a Subaru Liberty (Legacy) AWD and what I loved about it most was AWD. I would have bought a Holden Adventra when they were released in 2004 but could not afford one, so my RWD Commodore wagon has had to suffice.

I'm glad you are an educated car enthusiast the understands and embraces the advantages of AWD.
Since your aren't a luddite, the comment shouldn't offend you.

AWD development costs could have been spread over Camaro, SS Sedan, and all the other variants of the platform.
Regardless, I don't give a flying [email protected] what numbers GM spews or what bull$hit GM spins to try to talk their way out of their mistake of not offering AWD and DCT as OPTIONS on their cars in 2013.
It's all bull$hit and all the other manufacturers have proven that they can offer an AWD option at a reasonable price.
I am so pissed at GM for forcing me to buy another foreign sedan that I am seriously considering trading my ZO6 for a GTR and telling GM to [email protected] Off for good.
I've got 1000cc bikes for powerslides and hooning.
But, I am holding on, against odds, GM pulls their heads out of their collective asses and offers a performance AWD sedan in the next CTS-V, ATS-V, or by AT LEAST offering AWD and DCT on the SS Performance sedan.

Another FYI: the 4matic on the new E63 cuts .6 seconds off the 0-60mph times alone.
Imagine what AWD could have done for the C7 and the SS Sedan.....
Not that I personally care because I don't race or abuse my daily drivers.
Usually do just a shake down run after the 1st oil change to see what they mph in the 1/4 with a 2.0-ish 60ft.
But, the performance advantages are just another reason to embrace AWD.

 

[Commodoreman2000]

Just one Question AWD asside does GM even have a DCT in there arsenal? I know there has been rumour of HSV developing a rear mounted transaxle but have only ever heard rumours of GM developing a DCT?

 

[Sole Survivor]

Well, if this Car and Driver report is true, the SS is moving to Zeta II for the 2015.5 model year, and the Camaro is moving to the Alpha platform (the ATS/next gen CTS).

Chevrolet SuperSport Sedan Coming in 2013, Wagon and Ute Body Styles Possible for Next Gen on Zeta II | Car and Driver Blog

Also, I'm not really sure why you're ragging on GM for not offering a DCT when most car makers don't offer it either. The cheapest performance car that I can think of is the BMW M3, which costs over $60,000.

 

[American-Muscle]

Having the OPTION of AWD should be mandatory for a daily driven sports sedan. If you disagree, then you are saying Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Acura, Chrysler, Ford, Mistu, Subaru, etc, etc, etc are all wrong.
They aren't.
You are.

AWD is needed, I don't know why Chevrolet didn't apply it to the SS.

If they don't have plans to add AWD to the SS they could be in trouble and fall behind some European car makers that build amazing performance sedan's.

 

[TT C6]

Well, if this Car and Driver report is true, the SS is moving to Zeta II for the 2015.5 model year, and the Camaro is moving to the Alpha platform (the ATS/next gen CTS).

Chevrolet SuperSport Sedan Coming in 2013, Wagon and Ute Body Styles Possible for Next Gen on Zeta II | Car and Driver Blog

Also, I'm not really sure why you're ragging on GM for not offering a DCT when most car makers don't offer it either. The cheapest performance car that I can think of is the BMW M3, which costs over $60,000.

Mistu started offering DCT on the $30k Impreza Evo in 2008.
VW has been offering DCT on their entry level cars too.
GM needs to pull their head out of their ass and get with the program.
AWD and DCT are here to stay.

 

[brianch]

I wasn't that surprised that it didnt come in AWD. It will still sell as a RWD as the G8 did. I was surprised that it didnt come in manual and I do agree it should come in DCT.