We knew it was coming. We even had a pretty good idea as to what it would look like. Well, here is the NASCAR version, which as history how shown us, is unlikely to resemble the production version much beyond the stick on front fascia. Swaying too far from the car above would be a damn shame. The lines are actually pretty nice, and the wheel well flares, almost certain to be on the chopping block, give the car a muscular look. A NASCAR inspired rear spoiler would also help connect the two, but again, will likely be replaced with something less tasteful. A cowl hood, or some sort of scoop is a given. The late GTO made the mistake of being too bland, adding the hood scoop and other items as the car had one foot in the grave already.
Prodding aside, I'm glad that Chevy will be re-entering the V8 rear wheel drive sedan segment. Though possessing 2 extra doors than I would prefer, it puts the 4 door up against the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300. Based on the sharp looking/short lived Pontiac G8, it will likely have an almost instant cult following, with plenty of aftermarket support.
Reading the article below, provided by the Detroit Free Press, I can't help but notice a couple of inaccuracies that scream out to me. First, it can't go without mention, Jim Campbell of GM suggests this will be a halo car for all other models. Funny, as I was under the impression that a halo car is something at the top of the food chain, the best of the best, such as Chevrolet's long running halo car, the Corvette. Everything else simply has a spot on the king's court...at least in my opinion. As for the inaccuracies, how about "Chevrolet’s SS badge has an alternately illustrious and wretched history." Wretched? Sorry, but even during the relatively dismal 1980's, cars that adorned the SS badging were amongst the best cars offered at the time. Perhaps a few lackluster years throughout the 1970's, but hey, it was par for the course in the 1970's. Nothing "wretched" comes to mind when I hear "SS." Chevelle as Chevy's first muscle car? I guess one could say that, as I guess the 1964 Chevelle was the beginning of something new. That said, I guess it's a label I've never hear before.
Campbell goes on to say the styling will be "very distinct" compared to the Caprice underpinnings for which it shares. I would expect so, considering the wheelbase and dimensions will differ from the Caprice. I would expect it to be different from both the Caprice AND Camaro, regardless of what frame and suspension resides underneath.
Here is the article as it appeared in the Detroit Free Press:
Chevrolet unveiled a new race car today that provides the first clear look at the 2014 SS sport sedan that goes on sale late next year.
Featuring a rear-wheel-drive platform and the latest version of Chevy’s legendary small-block V8, the SS aims to tighten the connection between the Chevrolets racing in NASCAR and the street cars the brand’s customers drive.
“It’s the first rear-wheel-drive sport sedan in Chevrolet showrooms in many years,” said Jim Campbell, Chevy vice president for motor sports and performance cars. “The SS will increase the relevance of what we race to what we sell. The production car will be a halo for all the other models in our lineup.”
The car will debut in February at Speedweeks, NASCAR’s season-opening races in Daytona.
“It should generate additional sales,” said Jim Hall, managing director of 2953 Analytics. “The SS badge can be good for Chevrolet’s image, as long as they use it on appropriate vehicles.” Chevrolet’s SS badge has an alternately illustrious and wretched history. Short for Super Sport, the initials adorned legends like the 1957 Corvette SS race car prototype and the Chevelle SS that was Chevy’s first muscle car. It also suffered its share of indignities when marketers used it to jack up the price of vehicles with no serious performance credentials.
The 2014 SS sport sedan will ride on the second generation of the architecture that underpins the Chevrolet Camaro, Caprice police car and the Australian Holden Commodore.
The sport sedan’s styling will be “very distinct” from the police car, Campbell said.
Contact Mark Phelan at mmphelan@freepress.com or 313-222-6731.
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