GM has a notorious pattern: the second it actually gets a product right (or at least on the right track) the first thing it does is pull the plug on the model. There are plenty of good examples: the Corvair, the Monza, the Fiero, the Impala SS. Well, sad to say, that now the SS sedan has received it’s manual transmission and the brake hardware from the Camaro Z/28, word is that the Holden Commodore-based four-door is dead with no foreseen replacement after model year 2017, according to a GM employee speaking on the condition of anonymity to Motoring.com.au.
As if that bit of news isn’t enough, the consolation prize that had been discussed for Austrailia, a RHD version of the sixth-generation Camaro or a “legacy” RWD vehicle specific for Australia has also been shot down. This is an especially low blow for the Aussies, who are now left without a RWD V8 sedan. Holden has been pivotal in sourcing parts for some of GM’s better cars of the last ten or so years, including the Pontiac GTO and G8 and the Chevrolet Caprice PPV, as well as the majority of the architecture of the fifth-generation Camaro. The current Commodore will get a quick face-lift for 2016, as well as an HSV-tweaked 6.2L, but after 2017, it’s a done deal.
So what do our Australian friends get as a replacement? Rumor is that the Opel Insignia (familiar to the U.S. as the Buick Regal) will become the next Commodore. There is no word if they will at least get the hyperactive AWD Insignia OPC version or not. It will do battle with the imported Ford Mondeo (Fusion) and the Taiwan-built version of the Toyota Camry.
Sorry, mates.
(Courtesy of Carscoops)
hmmmmm….as far as I’m aware we ARE getting rhd Mustangs – bit silly for GM to not have anything on offer. The Aussie motor industry have tried dictating what we drive here a few times now, getting rid of V8’s for example only to get a backlash from the public and have to re-introduce them. I know Australia’s not a huge market but as you say we also contribute to the world product as well. Wonder what HSV will be doing in a few years time?
GM. The more things change the more they stay the same. They never learn.
The SS is a real nice car, but wow, did GM screw up the PR stuff. First, there was a complete lack of advertising. Second, could they have picked a dumber name? Everyone I tried to talk to it about kept wondering if it was an Impala SS or a Malibu SS and I’d be like “No, the car is just an SS”. We have one at work that’s been on the lot for over a year now.
I agree with you there, it’s probably one of the worst names in the history of bad car names (Caveat: Kia and Hyundai are the absolute worst at naming cars).
I don’t think “fast car” or even “sporty car” when I hear “Chevy SS.”
My first thought is “Schutzstaffel? who would call a car that?”
It really is a pity too. I honestly think it’s one of the nicest GMs I’ve seen. They styling is attractive (kind of conservative but it’s still pretty muscular, no gaudy scoops or stripes), the interior is genuinely nice, it’s got a great exhaust note and it’s a lot of bang for the buck. Lack of manual trans and dumb name aside, it’s really a great car. It’s too much to hope for an LSA-powered variant before GM gives it the grand send-off, isn’t it?
GM hater that I am, I do find myself liking this car, it’s unusually good looking for one of their modern cars, and it was amazingly understated. I think that part of its appeal is that it’s managed such a low profile, kind of like the Dodge Demon, all the right pieces and none of the hype.
An LSA and a stick would make this thing into a monster!
I think it is getting a stick and Magnetic Ride Control next year. Even if had been available with those from the start and had sold well, it would have been dead anyways with the retirement of the Commodore platform.
Now, with the plug and play nature of LS motors and GM’s Connect N Cruise motors, that LSA-powered model is just one Chevrolet Performance phone call away. If GM won’t build it, I’m sure some enterprising hot rodder will.
I read that GM won’t:
— Ship one from AU until it is sold.
— Let you test drive one before you buy.
I also thought I read a RWD Impala will replace the current FWD Impala and the RWD SS in the near future.
no right hand drive? get fucked chev.