Chevrolet News:Rumorpile: Chevy’s Upcoming SS Sedan May Give Way to a New Ute and Wagon

[Blake Noble]

Blake Noble

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

May 4th, 2012

GM hasn’t exactly been bashful about the fact it plans to build a new rear-drive performance sedan for Chevrolet next year, and race it on your local NASCAR track. Announced in March of this year, the upcoming Chevy — which will wear the SS moniker in either short or long-hand form — should likely boast the same 6.2 liter V8 heart which furiously beats beneath the hood of the Camaro SS. The 6.2 should produce upwards of 415 horsepower for use in the SS sedan.

When news broke about the Chevrolet SS, it was widely believed that the car would be only be available with a V8 and four doors. However, that may not turn out to be the case as it seems GM may be planning to further expand the Bowtie brand’s portfolio of rear-drive cars.

Car and Driver is reporting that after the SS is introduced with the hairy-chested 6.2 V8, Chevrolet will offer a version of the car for more squeamish buyers using a 3.6 liter V6 good for churning out 300-plus horsepower. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise given that most automakers must remain conscious of ever increasing CAFE regulations with every new model and a V6-powered Chevy SS would likely achieve highway mpg figures somewhere in the upper 20s.

What may be seen as surprising is that the Chevy SS family may not be comprised of just a V6 or V8-powered sedan. When the SS moves to an updated, lighter version of the Zeta platform on which it is based, GM could very well introduce additional ute (read: ElCamino) and wagon bodystyles. This should take place around 2015, and production of the SS will also shift to North America — likely GM’s plant in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada — from Australia where it will first be built alongside the related Holden Commodore.

It’s worth mentioning that while production of the Chevy SS will probably move out of Australia, it’s unclear if the Holden Commodore will follow suit. Australian website Drive is skeptical and thinks if the Commodore leaves its native home it likely wouldn’t happen until a totally new model is introduced for 2018, pending future currency exchange rates and sales.

Whatever the case, enthusiasts will undoubtedly be excited at the prospect of not only the upcoming Chevy SS, but a new wagon and especially a successor to the beloved ElCamino. Let’s just hope that GM doesn’t revoke anyone’s green card this time around.

Sources: Car and Driver, Drive

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[Camino LS6]

...

[Carguy]

I wish they would not use the SS or Super Sport name for this model! It should be Chevelle in what could become a Chevelle sub brand for Chevrolet! An all RWD brand of models with the return of El Camino as a Chevelle model as well! Use the SS for what it was intended for a V8 high performance variant of of this new Chevelle!

[David]

SS brand is fine as long as it is all about top performance in that category for me. If they start watering it down from performance to just a badge class, then they have lost their mojo.

I have no problem with an SS Cruze that is a turbo v6 if it is top of the line and truly dominates it's category. I see no reason to keep SS to only v8 engines.

Just think of a Spark with a Turbo 4 banger that is top in it's class. That would also be an SS in my opinion.

[thedriver]

Here we go again. GM is like the worst kind or woman-all tease, no please.

[daves87rs]

...

+1

[David]

It would be cool to have an SS family of engines. Turbo V8 4.8L, Turbo V6 3.0L and Turbo 4 2.0L

For the Truck /CUV/SUV side of the Family. Turbo V8 4.8L, Duramax 4.8L, 2.8L

This would be a cool SS engine family.

[hyperv6]

If they plan to use this car for more than one model it will have a name and not just be a Super Sport. If there is a V6, wagon and ute the SS would only be applied to the top powertrain and not all models.

Well we do know we will get the sedan and the rest would be easy to add but till they are in the show rooms I will not get too excited. A lot can happen in 3 years.

Now if Mark replaces Dan I think the odds of it finally happening will improve to a safe degree with Marks love for these cars.

[guionM]

Few things.

First, yes, the Commodore is coming to Chevy and should be available next year. The Commodore is getting a new nose and rear which will bring it closer to Chevrolet DNA (Holden and Chevrolet will evolve into a essentially a global brand).

Second, no, as far as I know production isn't coming to the US. But I can see where it might make financial sense. The US dollar has depriciated a lot the past decade, while the Aussie dollar has held it's own (in effect, increasing it's value), so I can see where GM could make money moving production here and exporting there than making it down under and exporting to here. But there's still OEM support. Even if they simply dismantle the assembly line and reassemble it here in an existing plant, GM will still need to set up an OEM network to support it. When GM's "volume" Alpha goes into production, (about 2015-2016).then maybe.

Third, it isn't likely to be called simply "SS". Although any name isn't finalized to the last moment ('82 Trans Am almost was called simply "T/A", Fusion was nearly called "Futura", then there's the last minute change of the Z28 to ZL1), Lumina, Commodore, or even Monte Carlo seem to be the leading contenders.

Final item, the El Camino and a station wagon. I doubt the wagon will make the trip, and if the El Camino does finally make it here, it will be here about the same time as the sedan. If it isn't here about the same time, then we'd have to start asking if it's going to happen at all.

[Drew Dowdell]

I'm betting that if production were moved to the US, it would only be production for North American consumption. Australia could continue to supply the South Pacific, Asia, Middle East, and Europe. Like what they did with the Insignia/Regal.... at first the Regal was built in the EU, but then production for North America moved over here and the EU just builds cars for themselves.

[hyperv6]

Well as the time line goes the Zeta Camaro will be gone in 2015 and the word is the new other models would appear in 2015. Give some pause for thought.

The SS could be built down under for one year and moved in with the rest of the line very easy in 2015.

I wonder where the Alpha Camaro will be built, anyone have any hints?

[Drew Dowdell]

Makes sense. Camaro is the only north american zeta production point.

Keep in mind that GM is moving towards hyper flexible production lines. Spring Hill is supposed to be able to build any non-BOF vehicle in the portfolio once they are done rebuilding there.

[Turbojett]

...

agreed. I'll believe it when I see it.

[Drew Dowdell]

Yea, it's not like the former head of Holden is like GMNA's president or anything....or even plays some roll in product planing decisions.

[Turbojett]

It's also not as if we haven't been teased with this a million times before (I'm speaking specifically of the El Camino), and at one point had it harshly retracted just before it reached our grasp. They've cried wolf far too many times; the promises are starting to lose their edge.

Edited May 5, 2012 by Turbojett

[Turbojett]

I must admit though, I would like to see this SS sedan make production, possibly with a coupe variant, but that's probably pushing it. Still, it'd be nice.

[David]

While I agree with all that is said, lets wait till we see the proof in the pudding as GM has teased enough times, AKA cried wolf that until the actual product is here available for sale, we cannot totally rely on their word.

[riviera74]

That future SS should have its own name and NOT just SS. I will believe it when it is at least at an auto show and ideally at the local dealership. Why should it be called Chevelle when GM has explicitly stated that it will NOT carry an old name? Call it a Commodore instead, and the Ute instead of the El Camino. Why? No baggage here in NA.

[Blake Noble]

Few things.

First, yes, the Commodore is coming to Chevy and should be available next year. The Commodore is getting a new nose and rear which will bring it closer to Chevrolet DNA (Holden and Chevrolet will evolve into a essentially a global brand).

Indeed. I've said in the past on the forums that in the future Holden will be to Chevrolet what Vauxhall is to Opel. It wasn't hard to see the writing on the wall there.

[hyperv6]

Makes sense. Camaro is the only north american zeta production point.

Keep in mind that GM is moving towards hyper flexible production lines. Spring Hill is supposed to be able to build any non-BOF vehicle in the portfolio once they are done rebuilding there.

I was told a while back that the Camaro in time will share production lines with cars you never expected it to be shared with.

I agree with you that the odds are better now than ever. Mark is not only got a good grip on product planning but I would be shocked if he did not replace Dan when it is time. Mark has the right mix of admin, product and car guy to make him the right choice to lead a car company.

I see him as a younger less outspoken Lutz in many ways. I think Lutz had done what he could to promote him to where he would do GM the most good. Also Marks dad was a very good car guy strangled by the old GM rules. I am sure Mark learned a lot from Loyd his dad the father of the GN.

The other real key here is Chevy is now global unlike the past with Pontiac Chevy. If you look at the Holden web site you will see much of Chevys future. Holden now has most of the Chevy line up including the new small pick up. Chevy NA just need the RWD sedans to make the connection. Europe already has them Vauxhull as does Asia with Buick so I really think they will be here this time. GM can not leave their largest market without. Also it is where they can really stick it to Ford as they have nothing really to offer here nor any plans beyond the Mustang.

But I can not find fault with those who don't want to believe. You get burned several times it make it hard to believe even the best evidence.

As for the Zeta coupe you already have one now with the Camaro and you would not have a chance till after the Camaro has had a year or more in the Alpha if even then. I think a Buick Riv would be a much better choice for a Zeta coupe.

[lt1george]

That's what I'm talking about. I want a Ute SS. Maybe it will come to be. Let's get some in before the bean counters get involved.