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| The Chevy SS remains in disguise, for now. |
Chevrolet has a long history of using the SS (Super Sport) designation on high-performance models of some of its most enduring nameplates. The SS designation first appeared in 1957 on a Corvette prototype race car built under the guidance of Zora Arkus-Duntov with the plan to enter it in the Le Mans 24-hour race.
The first production vehicle offered with an SS option was the 1961 Impala – 453 were built with the performance upgrades which included a modified chassis and suspension, power brakes, a steering column mounted tachometer and unique wheels and tires. The latest SS model in the Chevrolet lineup is the fifth-generation Camaro, which debuted in 2010.
The new Chevy SS will actually be an import of sorts; the Australian Holden Commodore. The Aussie-built, V8-powered Commodore will be exported to the United States and rebadged as the Chevrolet SS. Testing of the new Chevrolet’s NASCAR is reportedly already underway, with no official word on when the new racer will be revealed to the public.
"As a passionate race fan and performance enthusiast, I am thrilled that Chevrolet will deliver a true rear-wheel-drive NASCAR racecar in the SS that is closely linked to the performance sedan that will be available for sale,” said Mark Reuss, president of GM North America. “The Chevrolet SS is a great example of how GM is able to leverage its global product portfolio to deliver a unique performance experience that extends beyond the track. I am personally looking forward to driving it.”
Hey Moody. Find a pic of a Pontiac G8, replace the Red Arrow with a bow tie... and Chevy SS!
ReplyDeleteGM never gets it...The last gen GTO was a Holden...great engine, suspension.....The body looked like a bar of soap. I suspect the street version of this will be similar.
ReplyDeleteMaybe wait until you actually SEE IT to declare it ugly? Sheesh...
DeleteThe GTO was based on the Holden Monaro. The Chevy SS is based on the Holden Commodore. Different cars.
DeleteSo.. does this mean that Nascar will have 2 Foreign manufacturers? :)
ReplyDeletebout time I hate front wheel drive?
ReplyDeleteRegular listeners are accustomed to the occasional caller who rants @ Toyota, a Japanese mfg being in NASCAR. The fact that Toyotas made in USA have the highest percentage of US made parts is irrelevant to them.
ReplyDeleteCurious to hear how they react to an Australian made car being on track?
Might tell us if the bias is against a foreign mfg in general or just a Japanese nameplate.
Moody a question about next years cars. Are they new cars from the frame up, or this years frames/engines w/ new skins?
Robert Y
Cincinnati
Only the bodies will be new.
DeleteI know it's still under the "spy wrap," but from what I can see, it just doesn't have the strong character lines the Ford and Dodge have. Maybe it will show different once it's unveiled, but right now Ford and Dodge have the two hot cars.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see it back. The G8 was a great car and a big seller for Pontiac. Hard to tell much from the camo version but it looks like it will be a good looking race car. That front end really gives it a slammed to the ground look.
ReplyDeleteThe Chevy SS is a Pontiac. Nothing more. They want to call this a Holden so that the US consumers do not know it is a retread for GM North America. They poured everything into the G8, then when financials went south and our government was calling the shots they killed the idea to carry over the brand as a Chevy. I am very glad to see it back, but I think GM completely botched the PR on this release. It's an American car, developed here, designed for our consumer base. It just went away for a bit.
ReplyDeleteDo you think none of the manufacturers dip into their 'talent' pool world wide to come up with niche cars?
DeleteHow do you think AMG started out for Mercedes Benz?
The hatred by some for GM is beyond comprehension.
it is amazing how we all know more than the next guy or the the people who make the cars weather or not it be a Ford, Chevy or Dodge or even a Pontiac just wish i could be that smart "just saying"m lol
ReplyDeleteFor the record I'm not a GM hater. I actually LOVE this car. It's just not a Holden lol. It's a Pontiac. You can buy the car right now on a used car lot.
ReplyDeleteHopefully this will have better body lines than the Impala. Love Chevy, but have not liked their use (or lack thereof) of body lines the last few years.
From the 2012 NASCAR Rulebook, page 49, Section 20-1.1: "NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races are open to eligible 2012 models of American-made steel bodied passenger car production sedans".
ReplyDeleteI have to wonder why the rule hasn't already been changed, considering that the Charger is built in Canada, the Fusion in Mexico, and now the Chevy will be assembled down under. It saddens me to say that the Camry is the most American-made car represented on the track.
Wow, finally! I can't wait to see it next year.
ReplyDelete