2015 Chevrolet SS may get manual transmission, magnetic suspension

By Stephen Edelstein Published April 28, 2014

The Chevrolet SS is a muscle-car fan’s dream, but with the 2015 Dodge Charger looking more aggressive than ever, General Motors may need to give this stealth sports sedan an upgrade.

According to Motor Trend, planned changes for the SS won’t affect its staid styling, but will include some new mechanical bits that enthusiasts should appreciate.

The magazine reports that the Chevy SS will be offered with a manual transmission and Magnetic Ride Control suspension for the 2015 model year.

For the year that it’s been on sale in the U.S., the SS has only been sold with a six-speed automatic, a decidedly un-sporty choice for a sports sedan.

The SS is based on the Australian Holden Commodore, which is offered with a manual, and the Pontiac G8 – which was based on an older version of the Commodore – had a manual option as well. So adding an extra pedal to the SS shouldn’t be a problem.

Chevy will also reportedly offer Magnetic Ride Control, which can rapidly adjust damper firmness by passing an electric current through shock-absorber fluid that’s full of iron filings.

The system is currently offered on the Corvette Stingray and Cadillac CTS Vsport, while a similar version of the technology is used by Ferrari.

Chevy denied the reports, declining to confirm details about the unannounced options. “We have not made any new announcements about the Chevrolet SS,” Michael Albano, head of PR for Chevy, told Digital Trends. “It is currently available in one well appointed trim with a standard 6-speed, automatic transmission. The only available options are a power sunroof and a full size spare tire.”

If these changes to the 2015 SS do occur, it will set up a very interesting contest between the SS and its Mopar rival, the refreshed 2015 Dodge Charger.

The Charger is only offered with an automatic transmission, and rides on a much older platform inherited from Mercedes-Benz. Even with its trademark HEMI V8, it probably won’t be a match for the upgraded Chevy SS.

Yet the Charger’s bolder styling will likely win over many buyers, making this theoretical GM vs. Mopar battle hard to call. Either way, it’s a good time to be a muscle-car fan.

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Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

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