Let us not forgive or forget when Chevy slapped the SS badge on everything and diluted it

"LJ909" (lj909) 07/14/2017 at 20:16 • Filed to: None

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From the early 00's up until the late part of last decade, there were a total of 8 Chevy vehicles that wore the coveted SS badge. I always though that Bob Lutz had a hand in this happening. He got all his toys approved in the 00's. But as I said, there were 8 SS cars for sale during the 00's:

Chevy Silverado SS

The Silverado Intimidator SS which Dale Earnhardt Jr had his hand in creating to honor his late father.

The Cobalt SS, which was originally Supercharged (along with its twin the Ion Redline). In later years and in typical GM fashion, the car apparently became fantastic when the SS Sedan gained the turbocharged 260 horse Ecotec before it went out of production.

The Impala SS which in the beginning of the decade saw use of the tried and true supercharged 3800 before switching to the 5.3 V8 in the previous gen.

The Monte Carlo SS, which since the 90's had pretty much been a 2 door version of the sedan (with the Monte Carlo of the 90's being a 2 door version of the Lumina). Its NASCAR inspired styling actually got some people excited.

The SSR, which was like I mentioned before, one of Lutz’s toys and was a rolling Hot Wheel in that it was a completely pointless truck with a bed that you couldn’t actually use and it was a hard top convertible. As with the Cobalt SS and again in typical GM fashion, it got what it needed, the 6.0 V8 right before it went out of production.

The HHR SS which used the turbo Ecotech from the Cobalt SS. Apparently there was actually some performance here as well. Rare examples of the panel version in SS trim can be found if you look hard enough.

The Trailblazer SS which was developed mostly by GM performance guy ( and not very friendly man when I met him once) John Heinricy.  

And lastly and certainly least, the Malibu SS and its weird wagon/liftback sibling Malibu Maxx SS. To me these two models epitomized the dilution of the SS badge and was the cherry on top of the mostly shit sundae of these SS models. All of these could be why we haven’t seen an SS model, aside from the SS sedan and the Camaro SS, since the last of these went away right before the bankruptcy. So when you think or wish that Chevy had more performance models outside of some visual go fast trim, or the RS package, or anything outside of the Camaro and Vette, direct your anger at these models and their failures.

19JRC99 > LJ909 07/14/2017 at 20:23

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But most of those at least had a little more pep to them than the regular versions. The Silverado SS is actually fairly cool to me, and those Cobalts are pretty quick, too (Buddy of mine had one).

random001 > LJ909 07/14/2017 at 20:24

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Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to the dark side.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > LJ909 07/14/2017 at 20:30

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Hey hey hey, leave the TBSS and Silverado SS out of this. 400hp 6.0L V8 and full-time AWD (which is what really made them special) in still useful packages is A-ok in my book. And TBH the Cobalt SS was a good hot compact even with the supercharged 4. It’s the Pimpala, Malipoo, and Monte Crapo that ruined it. The SSR would’ve been stupid even if it was actually a good performance car and not just a Trailblazer SS with a completely useless and ugly body on top of it. HHR was ugly but had the same performance qualities as the Cobalt.

I really just want Chevy to make a Cruze SS.

Quadradeuce > random001 07/14/2017 at 20:38

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And a 2000s era Monte Carlo usually leads to suffering.

dogisbadob > LJ909 07/14/2017 at 20:45

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They didn’t dilute the SS name by making SS versions of all their cars. They diluted it by being pieces of shit until just before they pulled the plug. Typical GM giving 90%.

Vítor > LJ909 07/14/2017 at 20:49

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Chevrolet also sold a SS version of the Opel Meriva in Brazil, with incredible 110 hp

daender > LJ909 07/14/2017 at 20:59

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Cool:

HHR SS, especially in full-panel trim.

Cobalt SS, both engines but especially turbo guise.

Trailbazer SS, because 400 hp AWD sleeper.

SSR, because it’s still a truck chassis and can do this, also had a manual option.

Okay:

Silverado SS: didn’t get the LS2 but still a nice attempt to make a fast truck.

Meh:

Montecarlo SS: FWD V8 torque steer but at least the Monte looked good.

Impala SS: FWD V8 torque steer but at least you got a V8 in a Impala before GM stopped doing that.

Bad:

Malibu Maxx SS: FWD V6 torque steer in a horrible-looking car.

Urambo Tauro > LJ909 07/14/2017 at 21:00

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I honestly don’t know what’s worse: this dilution of the SS name, or the use of “SS” as a standalone model. I’ll admit, the Chevy SS was pretty cool, but it wasn’t quite so badass that it fully epitomized what an “SS” should be.

LJ909 > 19JRC99 07/14/2017 at 21:04

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Yea they did but they were pre bk GM craptastic though. And some only got good before they went away.

LJ909 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/14/2017 at 21:13

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The Trailblazer SS was cool but it sucked because of GM at the time. The Silverado SS was cool but GM for whatever reason never wanted to give us a proper sport truck single cap configuration. I remember they did a concept of it but never brought it to market. Honestly the SS line from this era was full of buts.

LJ909 > dogisbadob 07/14/2017 at 21:15

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Thanks. This was my point. They slapped SS on pieces of shit and the few that were ok only got better before they went away.

LJ909 > Vítor 07/14/2017 at 21:16

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Thats embarrassing. Whoever approved this for production hopefully got fired. And if the performance version had 110 hp, that means the regular version had a gokart smash 65 or 70 hp.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > LJ909 07/14/2017 at 21:17

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Other not Chevy SS uses:

AMC Ambassador SST

Dodge Dart GSS

1937 Jaguar SS 100

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > LJ909 07/14/2017 at 21:22

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A 400hp, AWD SUV sucked “because of GM at the time.” What the hell does that even mean?

They probably thought a single cab SS would’ve eaten into SSR sales. Despite a single cab Silverado with an actual bed being infinitely more useful.

LJ909 > Urambo Tauro 07/14/2017 at 21:25

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I had never thought about this but I agree. They went with SS because I think it was the only route they could go: they could have called it Impala, but that would have forced them into continuing to make the model, doing away with the front drive version thats currently on sale; they could have called it Caprice, but that was already in use for the police sedans. Either way they went it would have forced investment I think into keeping the model around, which wouldn’t have been so bad. A base version with the 3.6 and then the SS. But in typical GM fashion, nope.

LJ909 > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 07/14/2017 at 21:25

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I had never knew about any of these. Thanks. I really love that Jag.

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > LJ909 07/14/2017 at 21:26

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Yeah that crappy turbo Cobalt SS that set a record at the Ring. It also won many Time Attack events while being driven by John Heinricy in supercharged form. What horrible examples of SS cars...

LJ909 > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 07/14/2017 at 21:28

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Need I say more? I mean it was a good idea. I wish something like it were still around today what with the Durango SRT’s and Grand Cherokee Trackhawk’s. But back then, the quality of it was unforgivable, even with the performance it had. And even though it had 400 horses it was heavy. It was like .3 off 8 seconds 0-60.

And youre right about the SSR. I hadnt considered that.

Urambo Tauro > LJ909 07/14/2017 at 21:36

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Yeah, Impala might have been the right name for it, but they royally screwed that up years earlier by applying the Impala name to a FWD car.

That’s something that irks me to no end. It’s bad enough when they carry over a name without using some recognizable design cues to reinforce brand identity. But it’s even worse when they change the fundamental layout of the drivetrain. A FWD W-body has no right to be called Impala .

Nibbles > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 07/14/2017 at 21:39

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Indeed. And the Impala? Absolute mehsauce. Not like it was faster, more comfortable, or handled better than the ‘Impala SS’ Caprice or anything. MEH

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 07/14/2017 at 21:40

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Oh but the plastic interior! The horror! We must ignore the fact that there’s real performance present because the inside doesn’t coddle you in squishy shit.

Birddog > LJ909 07/14/2017 at 21:46

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To be fair to GM “SS” was originally just an appearance package. 61-69 Impalas could be had with weak base 6 bangers. Chevy II SS was available with 4 or six cylinder power. Come 1970 the SS package was only available on cars with the optional V8 engines. That means you could get a 350 2bbl Malibu SS, not exactly a screamer.

And let’s not forget the 1973 Chevelle SS station wagon.

Those two letters have never really meant much to GM outside of profit margins.

The Powershift in Steve's '12 Ford Focus killed it's TCM (under warranty!) > Birddog 07/14/2017 at 21:53

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I came to post this,and I’m glad someone beat me to it!

The SS was never a pure performance package, it was whatever the hell Chevy marketing wanted it to be. Everyone remembers the awesome big block powered SS Camaros and Chevelles, but don’t forget that the majority of SS’, especially the first 5 years of the package, were powered by sedate small blocks and Powerglides. People bought them for the fancy badge, nicer hubcaps, and extra chrome. Hell, the later ones didn’t even have bucket seats standard.

By that standard, the 00's SS’ were better SS’ than the majority of the 60's ones. The hatred for them is the same narrow-minded crap that the nu-GTO fought for it’s entire existence.

dogisbadob > LJ909 07/14/2017 at 22:05

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Just too bad there’s no Spark SS or Sonic SS.

The bailout-era Impala SS is cool because you could still get the front bench seat

Vítor > LJ909 07/14/2017 at 22:35

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The normal version also had 110 hp. That’s the problem, the SS version was just a bodykit and a red paint.

LJ909 > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver 07/14/2017 at 22:46

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Thats why they are still on sale today right?

LJ909 > dogisbadob 07/14/2017 at 22:52

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If there had been a Sonic SS I wouldnt even have a Sonic LT today and the RS is just all show and no go to me. Nothing to take serious.

All those big fwd cars from just 10 years ago still offered bench seats. A lot of people wanted them.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > LJ909 07/14/2017 at 23:54

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The worst part was that some of these wer actually kinda great. The Cobalt SS was a great performance bargain and the Trailblazer SS was a cool muscle truck. But the FWD transverse V8's were total nonsense. All it did was confuse things and make it hard to take SS seriously.

jdrgoat - Ponticrack? > LJ909 07/15/2017 at 00:10

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While I agree that it should not have been called SS, I think that people don’t understand how much the Malibu (Maxx) really did follow a good SS formula.

First, that it shouldn’t have been called an SS. It should have been a “Sport” trim, like they went to around 2008 for some other models.

Example 1. The 2.4 NA Cobalt was called an SS for a few years. It had all of the improvements of the SS/SC, minus the engine and faster steering ratio. That’s what the Cobalt should have been from the start, and they probably would have been a good Mazda3 competitor. Eventually, this became the Cobalt Sport. Just like the HHR 2.4 was not called an SS. And the Saturn Ion 2.4 was called just that.

Example 2. The Equinox Sport. This was a massive upgrade over the standard Equinox (which I don’t have many kind words for). For one, it used the new 3.6 DOHC V6, paired with a new 6 speed automatic. The standard Equinox had a very outdated 3.4 V6, with a Honda 5 speed automatic. The Saturn Vue Redline (a performance trim of its platform mate) used a Honda V6 in addition to Honda transmission. The suspension, seats, everything else was improved over the standard Equinox. This was initially going to be called an SS. But they got the memo that that would be incredibly stupid.

Now, the differences that made the Malibu totally not terrible, except for not being called “Sport.” It had a much improved suspension. It had the bigger V6 that was available in the Impala but otherwise not available in the Malibu, and included about a 20% power bump. It had appearance upgrades, and I do think they made an improvement. It had a much better 3 spoke steering wheel. And that steering wheel went to... this is the kicker, a traditional hydraulic power steering system, which replaced the lifeless electric steering in all the other Malibus.

Ok, that’s it for my rambling.

LJ909 > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 07/15/2017 at 02:02

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Yea the Trailblazer SS, besides being a Trailblazer, was great. And for some reason most of the ones made seem to be in my hometown. Seriously I used to see at least 4 every day. The Cobalt SS was good too and even better when it got the turbo 4. It just sucks that the ones that were good had shitty cars as basis for them.

LJ909 > jdrgoat - Ponticrack? 07/15/2017 at 02:09

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Like I mentioned to someone else. Some of these were good, its just the foundation (the car) that they were built on were shit. The Cobalt you mentioned was the NA SS, which was pretty much all show and no go. They made a lot of those and in some cases they were hard to tell apart from the actuall SS models.

Im going to have to do a piece on the trio Equinox Sport/Pontiac Torrent GXP/Saturn Vue Redline. They were all actually good and pretty much forgotten.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > LJ909 07/15/2017 at 13:14

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True story:

From 2004-08 I worked for Convergys at a call center for On*Star. Our internet access was restricted but we were able to access almost any website that ended in .gm.com

For a while - from 2005-07ish, the GM intelligence sites were available. To us. Call center people making 10-14 bucks an hour. It’s no wonder that from time to time, some clever and unscrupulous folks were led out of the building by police and a GM boss in an expensive suit.

Apparently their IT team decided that as long as it was coming from a GM site, it was OK to allow access to product planning documents and market intelligence reports.

Anyway, before access was restricted, we were able to see a lot of stuff. I saw one document - it was early 2005, that had plans and specs for an Uplander SS. It included the 18" monobloc wheels from the Malibu/Impala, 3.6 high feature V6, lower suspension, all wheel drive, and a sketch of the front with a look more like the Silverado/Trailblazer SS. Trapezoid air intakes, blacked out grill, etc.

It also included an Equinox SS. That became the Equinox Sport.  

Also, in 2007 I saw documentation on the development of a new V8 for Cadillac and Buick. It was supposed to be about 5 liters, DOHC and direct injected, with at least 400 hp and would first be offered in late 2009 in the Buick Enclave Ultra and a Lambda-based Cadillac crossover to replace the RWD SRX. It was canceled in 2009.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Ultra_Engine

LJ909 > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 07/15/2017 at 13:22

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Damn this is some juicy stuff. I wish you could have seen or gotten more info or some more stuff. The Uplander SS is another example of how they were just putting SS on everything. The Uplander was terrible. Those additions would have made it less terrible, but it would have still been terrible.

Why they canceled the Ultra engine though I have no idea, nor had I heard anything about it before this writing. It would have been interesting and would have pretty much been a next gen Northstar. It might have also lead to more luxurious cars from Buick such as maybe a new Park Ave. I really would have loved the Enclave Ultra. The Cadillac version would have pretty much taken the SRX back to its roots. The first gen was rwd and had the optional 4.6 in it.

random001 > Quadradeuce 07/15/2017 at 16:03

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2000s era monte Carlo are agents of the Sith!

404 - User No Longer Available > LJ909 07/16/2017 at 00:52

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OK just kidding... I made that.

cluelessk > LJ909 07/16/2017 at 00:58

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You forgot the non turbo or supercharged SS Cobalt that they put the 2.4 with an auto or manual.

cluelessk > LJ909 07/16/2017 at 01:02

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I’ve lived with a turbo Cobalt SS for the last 5 years. When I bought it the day after I turned 20 it was great. Now 5 years later the rear twist beam suspension is just too harsh. It works well but ruins the ride or I’m just getting older.

LJ909 > cluelessk 07/16/2017 at 01:16

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Nah I remember those. It was more an appearance package than anything.

LJ909 > cluelessk 07/16/2017 at 01:17

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I tried for years to find the turbo SS. I never could. Whoever bought them kept them.

RT > LJ909 07/16/2017 at 08:13

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So when you think or wish that Chevy had more performance models outside of some visual go fast trim, or the RS package, or anything outside of the Camaro and Vette, direct your anger at these models and their failures.

Agreed in the sense that these cars were huge failures, but Chevy has done the performance brand thing well in the past - if you’re willing to go as far back as 1970.

Past the obvious Camaro and plastic fantastic Corvette packages, you could get the compact Nova, midsize Chevelle and Monte Carlo all in SS trim. Even the Impala could be had with the 427. This time, it worked a lot better because the brand wasn’t being diluted. All these cars had some credentials but they were not unobtanium.

Of course, times have changed since then, especially in terms of public demand - but something a bit more subtle could be done to their current range (including CUVs since people actually buy them) to give them the same sort of reputation. Something more memorable than the current trim packages, but not as R&D intensive or pricey as a BMW M car rival.

Tbh, this proposal sounds more like the intention behind Pontiac… welp.

jdrgoat - Ponticrack? > LJ909 07/16/2017 at 12:07

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I know this is about the Supercharged car, but:

As one editor put it, the Cobalt SS is “one of the best-kept secrets in the marketplace.”

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-comparison-tests/reviews/a20099/12-best-cars-under-30k-chevrolet-cobalt-ss-supercharged/

It really was better than it gets credit for. And yes, the Turbocharged model was better (including the HHR SS). But I think most everyone would be surprised by the SS/SC, given its reputation.

The SS/NA or SS/2.4, whichever nomenclature it gets, is as I said what the base car probably should have been. The only things from the SS/SC it didn’t get, was the engine and the quicker steering ratio. 172hp wasn’t, and isn’t, a small amount for an economy car. 0-60 in 7 something with the 5 speed (which, I guess, also was a different 5 speed than the SC) is fine.

They didn’t have the full appearance of the boosted cars (unless you count the very rare SS/TC Sedan). The lower trim from the front bumper fascia, and rear bumper was not on the 2.4 cars. The side skirts were, however.

And the SS/TC Sedan was made, if memory serves me correctly, only one year and in very limited numbers. I think there were less than 1000 built. The SS/TC Coupe was made in greater numbers, and for a few years. There was a GMPP part you could get installed at a dealership, retaining the full warranty, which bumped power to I want to say 290hp. It was 320 in the Solstice/Sky (GXP/Redline), singe their rwd drivetrains would handle it (again, with warranty).

Really, any car on this list would not be lambasted if it just said, “Sport” instead of SS. Heck, Toyota puts a red “ S ” on the Corolla, and people eat it up even though it’s just stuck on lower trim pieces and zero performance.

cluelessk > LJ909 07/16/2017 at 13:50

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It’s closer to an SS than a LT though. Different engine, suspension, brakes, wheels, tires, bumpers.

And it’s actually a great engine with a solid stock ECU that’s good for tuning.

Big HP guys like to use them.

mstrjon32 > jdrgoat - Ponticrack? 07/17/2017 at 01:09

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The GMPP tune offered the same power boost in the Kappa platform: 290hp. Manual transmission cars got more torque than the automatics, however, IIRC.

Hot Stuff > LJ909 07/17/2017 at 09:27

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They could have used a name for the SS that they haven’t used in a long time —- Chevelle, Concours, Laguna, Belair, Monza...

malcolmmclarenf1 > LJ909 07/17/2017 at 09:33

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Timing of this article is amazing - I was just behind a Malibu Maxx SS at a traffic light this morning. As soon as I finished processing that Malibu Maxx was indeed once a thing, I noticed the SS badge and laughed at the notion of someone having the sense of humor to buy one and put it on a Malibu Maxx. Joke’s on me, I guess.

jdrgoat - Ponticrack? > mstrjon32 07/17/2017 at 10:19

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My memory is a little fuzzy on it all. I know there was a difference between manual and auto, but I thought the Kappa cars got more of everything than the Delta cars. I could be wrong by now. I only owned a LSJ that I did have GMPP Stage II installed on.

Bakerybread > LJ909 07/17/2017 at 10:35

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yuck

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > LJ909 07/17/2017 at 10:53

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The document I saw was a .pdf that couldn’t be downloaded onto my work computer. At the time they were to be developing a small-displacement Duramax for the half-ton trucks, too. It was supposed to be a 4.5L v8 with around 300hp/500tq and slated for introduction around 2010. It too was canceled due to the economic meltdown of 2008-2009.

Someone bought one on eBay

LJ909 > malcolmmclarenf1 07/17/2017 at 12:02

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Yea it was a thing. The thing damn near had a 4.0l v6 pushing out 240 horses.

BlownGP > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 07/17/2017 at 13:32

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I wouldn’t call the FWD V8 a fail. Caddy did it years back.. As a 98 Grand Prix GTP owner it was what we wanted. Even though the 3800 is more than capable of making power. There’s nothing like the V8 sound. Other than being FWD, GM still put the weak 4T65 with it. So anything over stock power and you are pressing your luck. So than the G8 came out and finally all or our prayers were answered. hahaha

BlownGP > LJ909 07/17/2017 at 13:34

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I was going to get my wife a Torrent GXP, looked at it a few times. Told the salesman were are going to sleep on it. Woke up the next morning, called the salesman and told him we are coming in to buy it. Get there and somebody else is working up a deal for it and sold it. Really pissed me off.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > BlownGP 07/17/2017 at 14:56

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I didn’t say it was a fail, it just didn’t make sense for the badge. Even though they had some clever tricks to combat torque steer, the FWD Impala SS was never going to be a sporty or even “high-performance” car. The 4T65 was basically the only thing they could fit in the engine bay with an LS motor stuffed in there sideways. They are basically fast, nice sounding sofas. Which is fine for what it is, but the problem OP was getting at is that they were called an “SS” in a lineup that also had the crazy little Cobalt SS, so it was hard to tell what the hell SS meant. I guess you could say that it was just shorthand for the big motor option, which, to be fair, it kinda was back in the 60's, but I think it would’ve been more appropriate to have some other label on the Impala/Monte Carlo like “Touring” or even just a giant “V8" badge.

Tompie913 > LJ909 07/17/2017 at 19:35

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I see a few Trailblazer SS’s around me and they always make me feel so bizarre. I think part of the problem is that most of these don’t have significant styling differences. They just give them big engines and a giant SS badge.

Tompie913 > LJ909 07/17/2017 at 19:35

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I see a few Trailblazer SS’s around me and they always make me feel so bizarre. I think part of the problem is that most of these don’t have significant styling differences. They just give them big engines and a giant SS badge.

Fresh-Outta-Nissans > jdrgoat - Ponticrack? 07/18/2017 at 06:33

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The Cobalt SS/NA, per wikipedia, apparently had a lot of uniquely compromised equipment: Same wheels with different tires, ‘medium’ suspension tune, SS bumper without SS lip...

Fresh-Outta-Nissans > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. 07/18/2017 at 06:35

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SS stands for Sterling Sidecar, the parent company of Jaguar.

BlownGP > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com 07/18/2017 at 10:14

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True and like this article the SS badge meant nothing when they slapped it on a Malibu. The Impala SS at least had a V8 so they had majority of the formula right. lol

jdrgoat - Ponticrack? > Fresh-Outta-Nissans 07/18/2017 at 11:12

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That’s Wikipedia, not always 100% right. The only Cobalts with 18" wheels, for example, were the boosted ones. On late 07MY CC/SC cars (I think that’s the timeframe), they actually had a shortage of SS/SC wheels, and they were coming with the Malibu SS wheels. They look very similar, but the Malibu has a different shaped ‘lip’ more or less.

I went up to compare the pictures you used, and the Cobalt is not a production example. The wheels are wrong, the grill, with the ‘x’ pattern on the upper is what the SS/TC had, but those also had it on the bottom, whereas the SS/SC was open. The location of the SS badge on the door is 06+, but those also had the GM badge...

Source, just in case you’re wondering, is that I worked at a Chevrolet dealership at the time these all were new, owned a 06 SS/SC, and sometimes research cars I like/own to almost neurotic levels.