Patrick Races into the Record Books in the 2014 Chevy SS

Talk about an impressive debut: Just one day after Chevrolet introduced its all-new rear-wheel-drive performance sedan to the public, racer Danica Patrick took a NASCAR-prepped version straight to the pole position of this year’s Daytona 500. Patrick ripped off a top speed of 196.434 mph in her 2014 Chevy SS to become the first female driver to accomplish that task, running Daytona’s 2.5 miles in just 45.817 seconds. Right next to her on the front row? Another new Chevy SS, driven by multi-time NASCAR champ Jeff Gordon.

Now, the retail 2014 Chevy SS won’t be quite as powerful as its Sprint Cup siblings, but it is expected to be among the world’s fastest street-legal sedans. In fact, powered by a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 that’s capable of 415 hp and 415 lb.-ft. of torque, the SS is projected to cover the 0-60 sprint in approximately 5 seconds. And with standard Brembo brakes and a sophisticated suspension, the SS will a true all-around performer.

Also in the mix will be standard creature comforts like a Bose nine-speaker audio system, a color touchscreen and head-up display, pushbutton start, leather seating surfaces, ambient lighting, a particularly spacious cabin that boasts 42 inches of front legroom and 39 inches for rear-seat occupants, and a wide range of driver-assistance features, including a rearview camera, forward-collision alert, blind-spot alert, and lane-departure warning.

The 2014 Chevy SS is scheduled to reach dealerships in the third quarter of the year, but NASCAR fans can see it in action beginning on February 24, when Patrick, Gordon, and a slew of other Chevy SS drivers kick off the Sprint Cup season. (The Chevy SS will serve as the official pace car of the 2013 Daytona 500, too.)

“The Chevrolet brand was largely built on the strength of rear-drive performance sedans, yet it’s been 17 years since we’ve offered one,” added Mark Reuss, president of General Motors North America. “The all-new Chevrolet SS fills that void and fills it better than any other vehicle in the brand’s rich history. The comfort, convenience, spaciousness and V8 power make the SS a total performance package unlike any other on the road today.”

 

Courtesy of Chevrolet in the News