Chevy Brings Back A Legendary Vehicle

DETROIT -- (WWJ) General Motors is looking to Australia for its latest Chevrolet performance car.

The Chevrolet SS will be a limited edition, rear wheel drive, full-size sedan, based on the Holden Commodore, and made in Australia.

Chevy says the SS will debut late next year as a 2014 model.  It will also be GM's entry in NASCAR racing, starting in 2013.

"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."

Reuss has a natural connection to this type of vehicle.  He spent time as President of GM's Australian operations, and, before that, ran the company's performance car division.

General Motors Australian Holden brand has a history of building solid rear wheel drive performance cars.  Some of those vehicles have made it to the U.S. as part of the now defunct Pontiac brand.

The SS name has quite a history.   It first appeared on a prototype Corvette race car in 1957.  The first production car with an SS designation was the 1961 Impala.  The most recent SS badged Chevy is a variation on the new Camaro.

The 2014 Chevy SS is meant to add a performance element to the entire Chevrolet brand.  It's been 17 years since Chevy sold a rear wheel drive performance sedan.

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