2014 Chevrolet SS revealed

Amazingly, Chevrolet hasn’t offered a rear-wheel drive performance saloon for seventeen years. However, that absence is about to be fixed with the arrival of the 2014 SS. Based on the new Holden VF Commodore and built in Australia, it’s effectively a successor to the defunct Pontiac G8.

Visually, there’s no mistaking the Holden roots, as the Chevrolet version looks almost identical to the performance-orientated Commodore SSV that was unveiled a few days ago. It would have been pointless to tinker too much with the styling though, as the two models probably aren’t going to be sold alongside each other in the same markets. And anyway, the VF Commodore is a very elegant, well-proportioned car.

2014 Chevrolet SS. Scroll down for more images.

Powering the SS is the 6.2 litre LS3 V8 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. With an estimated 415 bhp (309 kW / 420 PS) available, Chevrolet reckons that the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) time should be about five seconds.

To go with that pace, the SS gets a sporty chassis set-up (which features independent rear suspension), StabiliTrak stability control and ventilated disc brakes for all four wheels.

Among the items on the standard equipment list will be a Bose nine-speaker audio system, a colour head-up display and a dashboard touchscreen. There are plenty of safety systems too, including lane departure warning, side blind zone alert, forward collision alert and rear cross traffic alert.

Sales of the 2014 Chevrolet SS are due to begin in North America during the fourth quarter of 2013. Prices have yet to be confirmed.

2014 Chevrolet SS - Preliminary Technical Specifications
Body
Style	Four door, five seat
Driveline	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Construction	Unitary body structure and frame; two-sided galvanized steel (except roof)
EPA vehicle class	Large
Engine
Type	LS3 6.2 litre OHV V8
Displacement	6,162 cc (376 cu. in.)
Bore x stroke	103.25 x 92 mm (4.06 x 3.62 in.)
Block material	Cast aluminium with cast-in-place iron bore liners
Cylinder head material	Aluminium
Valve gear	Overhead valve; two valves per cylinder; roller lifters
Ignition system	Coil-near-plug ignition
Fuel delivery	Sequential fuel injection
Fuel	Premium recommended, not required
Compression ratio	10.7:1
Power	415 bhp (309 kW / 420 PS) @ 5,900 rpm
Torque	563 Nm (415 lb/ft) @ 4,600 rpm
Transmission
Type	Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic with TapShift
Final drive ratio	3.27
Chassis
Front suspension	Multi-link MacPherson strut; direct-acting stabiliser bar; progressive-rate coil springs; fully adjustable camber, caster and toe
Rear suspension	Four-link independent; progressive-rate coil springs over shocks; stabiliser bar; fully adjustable camber and toe
Steering	Electric power-assisted
Front brakes	Ventilated 355 x 32 mm discs; four-piston fixed calipers
Rear brakes	Ventilated 324 x 22 mm discs; single-piston sliding calipers
Wheels	Forged, fully polished aluminium; 19 x 8.5 in. front / 19 x 9 in. rear
Tyres	P245/40R19 front / P275/35R19 rear
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,916 mm (114.8 in.)
Overall length	4,968 mm (195.6 in.)
Overall width	1,899 mm (74.8 in.)
Overall height	1,490 mm (58.7 in.)
Track	1,590 mm (62.6 in.) front / 1,608 mm (63.3 in.) rear
Legroom	1,074 mm (42.3 in.) front / 1,008 mm (39.7 in.) rear

Related posts:
VF Commodore SSV revealed
Holden VF Commodore unveiled
2013 NASCAR Chevrolet SS
Holden-based Chevrolet SS

Images © General Motors.