FOR RELEASE: October 25, 2000
CONTACT: Chevrolet Communications
PHONE: 1-800-CHEVY MI or 313-667-9317

SILVERADO SS – THE CORVETTE OF TRUCKS

LAS VEGAS - High-performance vehicles such as the Chevrolet Corvette are revered for their awesome power and precision handling. Pickup trucks such as Silverado, on the other hand, are admired for their ability to carry both passengers and cargo efficiently and dependably on any road surface or off-road. Combining the best aspects of both vehicles, Chevrolet introduces the Silverado SS – The Corvette of Trucks – at this year’s SEMA show, the latest iteration of the original SS show truck.

"The first SS Silverado created an awareness and understanding of the performance limits of a pickup—this SS takes it to the next level," said John C. Farris Jr., Chevy Silverado assistant brand manager-marketing.

This four-passenger, four-door pickup is powered by a 6.6-liter, overhead valve (OHV) aluminum LS1 V8 engine that produces 480 horsepower at 6000 rpm and 475 lb-ft of torque at 4800 rpm. Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a short-throw, six-speed, rear-mounted manual transmission – the same transmission found in Corvette models. Helping to hit that unique Corvette exhaust note are ceramic-coated, stainless steel, tubular, four-into-one headers with 1 ¾-inch primaries and 3-inch collectors. Dual 3-inch exhaust system, dual 3-inch inlet and dual 3-inch outlet muffler and aluminum exhaust tips complete the exhaust system.

Any performance vehicle must also reward the driver with precise "ride on rails" handling, and Silverado SS is no exception. It features four-wheel independent short- and long-arm (SLA) suspension and adjustable front and rear air ride suspension that allows the driver to vary the ride height to best suit the situation – lower for highway cruising or higher for greater clearance. Power rack-and-pinion steering ensures precise steering and four-wheel disc brakes featuring 14-inch rotors, six-piston calipers in the front and four-piston calipers in the rear provide sure, safe stops. Antilock brakes are also standard on this vehicle.

Inside, Silverado SS rewards driver and passengers with a number of features that even make Corvette owners envious, beginning with the ability to share SS performance and handling attributes with more passengers. Four bucket seats with carbon fiber inserts create a comfortable and luxurious environment. A blue electroluminescent instrument cluster lends a "floating" appearance to the speedometer, tachometer, engine temperature and oil pressure gauges. A new in-dash information screen, meanwhile, provides suspension and performance information. Four-point, cam-lock safety harnesses enhance passenger safety and a Corvette steering wheel with a custom logo reinforces the SS’s connection to the American icon.

Seen from the exterior, it’s clearly evident that the redder-than-red SS is no ordinary Silverado; its performance cues are evident from any angle. Up front, SS features a molded front fascia with integrated brake-cooling ducts, a new front grille with integrated Chevy Bow Tie and projector beam headlamp assemblies. The domed hood is made of a carbon fiber material and the cowl has been raised 2.5 inches, creating a flowing appearance. The composite front fenders with integrated wheel flares accentuate the performance element of this vehicle and house the nickel-plated wheels (20" front, 22" rear) and custom Goodyear tires. Integrated rocker panels on the lower bodyside further accent the Silverado SS’s "ready to pounce" appearance.

Also unique to the Silverado SS is the integration of the cab and pickup box. Gone is the normal space between those two body parts. The smooth molded one-piece appearance is refined, dramatic, and an instant classic.

 

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