1.Chevrolet Corvette ('66-'82), 13.3 percent 2.Ford Mustang ('64-'69), 6.5 percent3.Chevrolet Impala ('58-'67), 5.6 percent4.Chevrolet Camaro ('67-'69), 4.7 percent5.Harley-Davidson motorcycles ('41-'74), 4.4 percent6.Chevrolet Nova ('63-'72), 3.6 percent7.Chevrolet Chevelle ('66-'73), 2.7 percent8.Chevrolet Monte Carlo ('70-'78), 2.4 percent9.Cadillac De Ville ('55-'65), Chevrolet Pickups ('50-'71), and Mercedes 450 ('75-'79), 2.1 percent each10.Ford Thunderbird ('55-'63) and Lincoln Continental ('64-'77), 1.7 percent each
Driving The SSRRenowned illustrator David Kimble's cutaways are always cool, and his dissection of Chevy's new pickup/roadster SSR is particularly tasty. And finally Chevy has allowed outsiders to drive the SSR. Did they let Car Craft thrash on one? No. But we did have a mole at the Indianapolis preview of the truck (and it is certified as a truck), and his clandestine report follows.
At about $42,000, the SSR ain't cheap, but it sure gets attention. Chevy expects to sell between 3,000 and 15,000 every year into the indefinite future.
Though it's built atop the chassis and frame of a TrailBlazer EXT with 13 inches whacked out its wheelbase, the SSR doesn't look like a modified SUV. But with a solid axle in the back and a curb weight of almost 5,000 pounds, it's not surprising that it feels SUVish at times. The Vortec 5300 5.3L all-aluminum V-8 tries hard, but its 290 hp has its hands full moving that much weight through a 4L60-E transmission.
But that weight doesn't go to waste in the structure. This is one of the tightest and quietest roadster-like vehicles out there. The power top works quickly and is quite fun to watch. Every body panel, including the tonneau cover, is steel. And that pays off in a quiet well-mannered ride-even if the suspension can feel stiff at times.
The interior is pretty roomy and spectacular looking. There's plenty of head room even with the top up, but taller drivers may want to check the seat travel to make sure there's enough room for their legs.
From the decision to build it to actual production, this is the quickest vehicle development program in GM history. And to get it done so quickly, engineers not only raided the GM parts bin (the side mirrors and rear license plate are both from the Corvette) but actually found some parts in other makers' parts bins. That sort of nimble action coming from GM is very impressive, and if nothing else, the aggressive design of the SSR is encouraging for the future.
Eco BlownSuperchargers are showing up everywhere, and this fall one will find it's way into, of all things, a Saturn. And that supercharger will be hooked to a new version of GM's Ecotec, DOHC, 16-valve four.
To accommodate the blower, GM has dropped the Ecotec's displacement from 2.2 liters to 2.0 liters by knocking the stroke down to 86 mm to match the 86mm bores. But the compression ratio stays a relatively high 9.5:1. The supercharger itself (second photo) is an Eaton M62 (62 ci) Roots-style vaned blower driven at 1.85 times the engine's crank speed. It pumps into a water-to-air intercooler just below it alongside the block. Maximum boost is 12 pounds with a fuel shut off at 6,500 rpm to keep the engine from grenading. There's also a 68mm throttle body, a forged-steel crankshaft, oil-cooled pistons with an oil cooler, and the engine computer has been recalibrated with a thirst for high-octane fuel.
Saturn still doesn't have a final power rating for the blown Ecotec, which will be installed in Red Line versions of its ION Quad Coupe. But it's predicting 200 hp, and that's 63hp better than the naturally aspirated 2.2L version of the engine in the regular ION. That could be entertaining in this front driver. It would be even more satisfying in the small rear-drive roadster GM is considering basing on the Pontiac Solstice show car.
In And Out ListIn: Jeff SmithOut: Matt King