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Writer's Notes
Test Vehicle:
2003 Chevy Silverado SS
MSRP: $39,205
As tested: $40,620
Showroom appeal:
Chevy's flagship pickup with an SS performance twist
Plus:
Power/practicality mix in a full-size pickup
Minus:
Small market for $40 large pickups
It is quick enough to win stoplight drags with many cars and most trucks, and it sounds great doing it.
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Starting in 2003, Chevy's flagship pickup will be available as an SS - the first of what Chevy says will be a new line of SS models. Born in the muscle car era, the Super Sport name has over the years been worn by some certified pavement pounders. Many of the baddest, back in the day Chevrolets - Impalas, Camaros and Chevelles of the 60's and early 70's - burnished the badge. The badge has also on occasion been applied to some cars that were decidedly more show than go.
That history makes the launch of a new generation of SS products more than a little interesting to bowtie lovers, as is the choice of a full-size pickup as the launching pad. Silverado SS starts life as a 1500 series extended cab, short box pickup. One irony about muscle trucks is that, while all will haul, few do. Which is to say that some hot trucks aren't built to handle traditional truck tasks - like towing a trailer or lugging a load in the bed. This Silverado will do both. With Chevy's Z82 heavy-duty trailering package as standard gear, it is equipped to pull 7,500 lb., and has a box payload capacity of 1,490 lb.
"The Silverado SS, the first of many SS models to return to the Chevy lineup, is an expression of contemporary Chevrolet performance that is within reach of many enthusiasts now driving pickups."
As to the other type of hauling, it'll do that, too. Silverado SS gets its muscle from a Vortec 6000 V8. The 6.0 liter motor pumps out 345 hp @ 5,200 rpm, 380 lb. ft. of torque @ 4,000 rpm. Factoring in the hefty, 5,298 lb. curb weight, Silverado SS' weight to power ratio is 15.36: quick, with 0-60 potential of about 7 seconds flat. The Vortec 8 is powerful and smooth across its range and though it's only single exhaust, the pipes have been tuned for tone and they empty into a 3.5", chrome-tipped outlet. The four speed automatic transmission is well matched to the power band, and the 4.11:1 rear gears provide quick getaways. Gas mileage adds new meaning to the phrase, "pay at the pump". EPA rates the SS at 13 city, and 17 highway.
The SS rides on an All Wheel Drive chassis. It is a full-time unit, requiring no driver input. The viscous-coupled transfer case and full locking rear differential continuously direct torque to the wheels with the best grip. AWD helps the SS hook up when taking off and the 38% front/62% rear torque split adds some security when road conditions are less than ideal. Part of the SS package includes massive meats - 275/55R 20's wrapped around five spoke aluminum rims. Silverado has been ever so slightly slammed, too - lowered about 2". Street tuning the suspension allows the SS to corner with more assurance than trucks can generally muster. Given the common truck constraints of ride height and tall center of gravity, handling is good. One thing that is car-like and better than some at that is the SS brake system. Four wheel disc, four wheel ABS and very good at scrubbing off speed from the 2½ ton, ½ ton .
Inside, the SS has Chevy's up-level LT trim, and a set of leather-wrapped buckets with SS logos embroidered into the headrests. A full complement of white-faced gauges greets the driver. The six speaker Bose audio system is standard issue (as is GM's OnStar system) and it's buyers choice - AM/FM with either in-dash six-disc CD changer or combination single disc/cassette. Working on Chevy's extended cab platform, the SS has a +2 sized back seat, not long enough on leg room to hold adults, but kids, dogs or parcels work fine, and the rear opening side doors make it easy to get to whoever/whatever you put back there.
Designed to be a performance standout and an image booster for the brand, the SS is not expected to be a high volume seller. Still, how high to make performance (and how low to have sales) is a tough call. Ford's F150 Lightning has been the leader of the big, hot truck club for many years, but it's done so by dispensing with some traditional truck values, like payload and towing capacity. Clearly, GM has been toying with how far to take their SS truck. A standard cab version shown at SEMA would, if built, provide some thunder to match Ford's Lightning. Borrowing some LS6 heads from brother 'Vette, the SEMA SS concept draws 395 hp and 409 lb. ft. of torque out of the 6.0 V8 (and links it to a six speed stick).
The Silverado SS production model splits the performance/payload difference. It is quick enough to win stoplight drags with many cars and most trucks, and it sounds great doing it. It is also practical enough to tow the boat along, or take a load of lumber, if you're of a mind to dirty up your $40k large pickup. With all the performance choices available in this price range, it will be interesting to see how many buyers will opt for power pickups like the SS. Interesting too to see what else Chevy has up its sleeve for future SS models. That, after all, is the biggest payload that this truck (and all models that follow) will have to carry - the expectations that go with the SS badge.
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---Story and photos by Dan Lyons
photos © Dan Lyons 2002
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