Chevrolet "sport" models

[mjd1001]

I understand GM had to make some budget cuts, but I'm a little upset at the reduction of Chevrolet "sport" or "SS" models available.

A couple years ago, we had the Equinox SS, Cobalt SS, Saturn Vue Redline, Torrent GXP, Equinox Sport...and others. They are now dissapearing.

I'm not saying you have to spend a ton of money developing a new model, but how about at least a sporty trim level?

The best example would be the new Equinox. I love mostly everythign about it. BUT it could stand to have a "sport" model with lowered suspension to get ride of that AWFUL, huge wheel gap...and also a better engine for a top option than the seemingly "torque-less 3.0 V6".

Yes, the LTZ options are top of the line, but they are more luxury oriented. I'd like to see a few more "sport" trims instead of LTZ that give me the sport suspension, Larger wheels, wider tires..etc...without having to take the memory mirros and seats, heated and cooled seats, etc. In other words, it doesn't have to be a 500 HP SUV, but how about some trims with the 'sporty' options instead of all the luxury options?

And as I said above, PLEASE make a quick update to make the 3.0 DI engine more competitive, or just replace it with something better.

[BlackGTP]

Originally Posted by mjd1001

I understand GM had to make some budget cuts, but I'm a little upset at the reduction of Chevrolet "sport" or "SS" models available.

A couple years ago, we had the Equinox SS, Cobalt SS, Saturn Vue Redline, Torrent GXP, Equinox Sport...and others. They are now dissapearing.

I'm not saying you have to spend a ton of money developing a new model, but how about at least a sporty trim level?

The best example would be the new Equinox. I love mostly everythign about it. BUT it could stand to have a "sport" model with lowered suspension to get ride of that AWFUL, huge wheel gap...and also a better engine for a top option than the seemingly "torque-less 3.0 V6".

Yes, the LTZ options are top of the line, but they are more luxury oriented. I'd like to see a few more "sport" trims instead of LTZ that give me the sport suspension, Larger wheels, wider tires..etc...without having to take the memory mirros and seats, heated and cooled seats, etc. In other words, it doesn't have to be a 500 HP SUV, but how about some trims with the 'sporty' options instead of all the luxury options?

And as I said above, PLEASE make a quick update to make the 3.0 DI engine more competitive, or just replace it with something better.

I agree to an extent. There should be SS Cobalts and other car based sport models. I would love to see a sport Malibu - maybe even a coupe Malibu with the 2.8 turbo!

However I don't understand why the need for for sport crossovers and trucks. Those types of vehicles are too tall, heavy, etc - the opposite of what a sporting vehicle needs to have as the basic underpinnings. I don't get the Porsche Cayanne and the BMW X5.

[Slideways]

I disagree about truck and SUVs not being able to have the SS badge. The Trailblazer SS deserved it, the Silverado SS did not. However, a regular cab shortbed truck with a 6.2L and a more sport suspension, why not? And before someone who's never driven a lowered truck chimes in, a lowered truck with 450hp can be just as as fun to drive as a Cobalt SS, which I've also driven. Just because you wouldn't consider the vehicle doesn't mean there's not a market for it. If GM wants to actually put the effort into the development of a higher performance vehicle, even if it's a FWD sedan or crossover, I think it could be worthy of the SS badge. They've cut down just slapping on the SS badge because, right or wrong, people with selective memory believed that the badge was only on hi-power, lightweight cars, which wasn't the case. So yes, I think there should be an Equinox Sport. Lower it an inch, give it a set of unique 18-inch wheels, unique trim, and give it the mpfi version of the 3.6L.

Originally Posted by BlackGTP

However I don't understand why the need for for sport crossovers and trucks.

Just understand that they have, and will sell.
The last-gen RWD Impala was a whale, but people loved it. The 60s Impalas were the same way. A regular old 350 Camaro was more sporty than an SS Impala, but you don't hear people complaining that they never should have built those.

[ss1dan12]

Why pay the dealer or Gm( their rape fee) for items that you could purchase aftermarket and install yourself

[Slideways]

Originally Posted by ss1dan12

Why pay the dealer or Gm( their rape fee) for items that you could purchase aftermarket and install yourself

Warranty
Case in point, Ford Raptor.

[chakis24]

i agree, but soooo many moaned and groaned how gm was throwing ss on everything (i agreed to an extent too). however, like slideways says, there is a market. imagine how fun a pickup with 450 hp is with completely front biased weight distribution? awesome. the trailblazer ss smokes a lot of vehicles, and can still haul a lot of things sports cars cant. to be cliche, its having your cake and eating it to. you dont need two cars- one sport, one parctical. you can have both.

[ejfx]

In the old days every car GM sold had the complete spectrum of variations.
Each car had a base model, a sporty performance model, and the luxury model...
These days a car is what it is, either its a base model car, a sporty car, or a luxury car.

[Smellhound]

The 2 biggest problems I have with the new 2010 Equinox are the huge wheel gap between the tire and the fender, and the dissapointing 3.0 engine.

A sport model with a slightly lowered suspension...and either the 3.6 as the engine, or a re-worked 3.0...would solve those problems.

If there was an Equinox sport of the new Equinox available, I would be buying one now. Seriously.

[T'Cal]

Originally Posted by ejfx

In the old days every car GM sold had the complete spectrum of variations.
Each car had a base model, a sporty performance model, and the luxury model...
These days a car is what it is, either its a base model car, a sporty car, or a luxury car.

True. In addition, back in the day most models came as a coupe, a sedan, a wagon, and even a convertible. Now-a-days, entry level vehicles (Focus, Cobalt, Civic, etc.) seem to be the only cars that don't come in only one configuration. Back in my day we had a choice and we liked it!!!

I would love to see Chevy make the Malibu available as a coupe, especially now that the G6 coupe is dead. I'm among the many who want the next Impala (Chevelle?) to be based on the G8 platform but I want even more choices: along with an Impala sedan, I want a Chevelle coupe, an El Camino ute, and a Nomad two-door wagon.

[OLDSCHOOLGMFAN]

I agree. I plum liked it when Chevy had all those SS models just a few years back! I am not a big SUV guy, but I saw a red Trailblazer SS zoom by me on the street one day, and that made me kinda like them! There ain't nothing wrong with having high performance big and heavy cars. They still go fast, are comfortable, and you can carry stuff or folks with them, like you can't with a pure sports car, so for some folks who can't afford but one car but still want some sport to go with the hauling, they're perfect.

[T'Cal]

The Trailblazer SS is about the only SUV that I would enjoy as a daily driver. You could get it in RWD or AWD with 390HP, lots of features, and room for five. The 6.0L sounds awesome and is very quick.

[mjd1001]

Originally Posted by T'Cal

The Trailblazer SS is about the only SUV that I would enjoy as a daily driver. You could get it in RWD or AWD with 390HP, lots of features, and room for five. The 6.0L sounds awesome and is very quick.

My cousin has a Trailblazer SS and it is nice. It would have been even better if GM had found a way to get a 6 speed automatic into it....he has the AWD version and is averaging about 14-15mpg with it. But with that said...I still wish GM would be making the sport versions of vehicles again. Even if it is only a Equinox Sport....give us something already.

[T'Cal]

^Agreed, especially since we no longer have Pontiac around to offer sporty looking versions of Chevy vehicles.

[FenwickHockey65]

I agree that we need Sport models, that said, let's not overuse the SS name...*looks at last-gen Malibu SS*

SS badges belong only on cars that deserve SS badges. Trailblazer SS was one. Malibu SS was not.

[Hoagie]

The reason is,,,,,,there is no market for SS cars or trucks anymore. the Trailblazers and Silverado's sat on the lots. same as the Colbalts. people today just don't get into it like us old guys did.