Chevrolet to debut 415-horsepower SS sedan ahead of Daytona 500

The Pontiac G8 is dead. Long live the Chevrolet SS.

Chevrolet is set to reveal the 415-horsepower V-8 sedan at the Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, one day before the NASCAR version of the car is scheduled to begin qualifying for the Daytona 500.

With the Pontiac brand having gone the way of the Walkman, it was Chevy’s turn to rebadge the Holden Commodore that GM sells in Australia. GM previously brought this car to the U.S. badged as a Pontiac G8.

With the car now landing in Chevy’s hands, it marks the first V-8, rear-wheel-drive car the company has sold in almost two decades. The SS shares a platform with the two-door Camaro, and it will be positioned above Chevy’s forthcoming Impala full-size sedan.

The SS gets a slightly detuned version of the 6.2-liter engine that’s in the outgoing 2013 Corvette. It will make 415 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque, and it is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Chevrolet says the SS will do zero-60 mph in about five seconds, and uses aluminum bits like a hood and rear deck lid to keep a near 50-50 weight distribution. Brembo brakes will be standard, as will an independent rear suspension.

Inside, standard equipment includes leather seats, a color touch-screen navigation system, Bose sound system, lane-departure warning, backup camera, forward collision alert and a heads-up display. A self-park feature will be optional.

Chevy hasn’t released pricing details yet, saying they’ll be made available closer to the fall 2013 on-sale date.

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