2014 Chevrolet SS revealed

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The Chevrolet SS marks the return of a rear-wheel drive Chevrolet sedan to North America since production of the fourth generation Caprice ended in 1996.  

North American police have had rear-drive Chevrolet Caprices for a few years now, while civilian versions of that car have been on sale in the Middle Eastern market for a bit longer.  News of the Chevrolet SS will definitely be a delight for North American Chevy fans who miss being able to have rear-wheel drive fun, but at the same time having some level of practicality.

The Chevrolet SS’s main competition will undoubtedly be the Chrysler 300 SRT8 and Dodge Charger SRT8.  The SS will make use of GM’s LS3 engine, a 6.2-litre V8 producing 415hp and 415 lb ft of torque.  Power is sent through a six-speed automatic transmission, which also has a manual gear-changing function via steering wheel paddle shifters, while acceleration from 0-60mph takes around five seconds.

Unlike its 1996 Caprice predecessor, the SS doesn’t use a live rear axle.  It is actually based on the upcoming Holden VF Commodore, one of GM Australia’s popular sports sedans, meaning it uses a multilink independent rear suspension.  It also has electronic power steering, Brembo brakes (355mm discs in front), and 19-inch wheels wrapped in Bridgestone tyres.

As for some of the interior toys, the SS will come standard with a colour heads-up display, a touchscreen user interface and navigation system, a nine-speaker Bose premium sound system, a reverse camera, as well as push-button ignition.  An automatic self-parking system will also be made available.

The Chevrolet SS will go on-sale towards the fourth quarter of this year, but there is no word on pricing as yet.  However, if it’s to go against the SRT competition, it should be priced around the mid-to-high $40k range.  There’s also no information as to whether there will be other engine options, or if a manual transmission will be available.  The only thing missing right now is a rear-wheel drive Ford sports sedan, only then will there be a real sports sedan war among the Big Three.