Down Under connection: an even more powerful, supercharged Chevrolet SS in the works?

By Nick Jaynes May 2, 2013

Chevrolet performance — Image used with permission by copyright holder

On May 15^th, Australia is going to see the first official look at the most powerful production car the land Down Under has ever built: the HSV Gen-F GTS. Capable of a 0-60 run in 4.5 seconds, the GTS is powered by the LSA 6.2-liter supercharged V8 from General Motors – the same motor that powers the Camaro ZL1. That is, if Australian car site CarSales is to be believed.

Why is this significant and why might American buyers care? Well, the 2014 Chevrolet SS is based upon this very same car. While the SS is planned to produce 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque from the LS3 normally aspirated 6.2-liter V8.

So does this Australian powerhouse mean that the U.S. will see its own version sometime soon? We’re hoping so. At the same time, however, we’re not going to hold our breath.

General Motors has tried bringing the power of the outback to the U.S. before but left us feeling disappointed, if not a bit cheated.

Several years ago, a couple Australian General Motors offerings from Holden were rebadged as Pontiacs: the GTO and the G8. While both were great underneath, the exterior and interiors left much to be desired.

With the SS, we fear GM is up to its same tricks. While the G8’s power matched that of its flashier-looking Holden brethren, the SS does not. Nor does the SS offer the manual transmission offered in the Holdens.

So do we honestly think Chevy will offer a supercharged SS in the States? Naw, that’d be too much fun and make too much sense for GM to get onboard.

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Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…

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