What does impala ss stand for?
The letters SS stand for Super Sport, Chevrolet’s long-running performance badge. The Impala SS was the brand’s high-performance version of the full-size Impala, a variant with sportier styling, upgraded hardware, and more power, depending on era.
Origins of the Super Sport badge
The Super Sport designation first appeared in Chevrolet's lineup in the early 1960s as a way to mark high-performance variants. It spread across several models, becoming a recognizable symbol of Chevrolet's performance heritage and a marker of enhanced power, handling, and styling.
Impala SS through the generations
1961–1969: The early SS era
Chevrolet introduced the Impala SS as a performance-focused version of the large, stylish Impala. These cars combined more powerful engines with sportier trim, revised suspensions, and distinctive styling cues that signaled their performance intent.
1994–1996: A late-90s revival
In the mid-1990s, Chevrolet revived the Impala SS as a limited-run, high-performance variant, continuing the SS tradition on the full-size Impala and appealing to buyers seeking sportier refinement in a practical sedan.
2004–2006: The modern Impala SS
Chevrolet again revived the name in the mid-2000s with the Impala SS, a more powerful version of the contemporary Impala featuring upgraded performance hardware and distinctive styling to emphasize sportiness while maintaining everyday practicality.
Current status and branding
Chevrolet eventually ended the Impala lineup for passenger cars after the 2020 model year. The SS badge, however, remains a key part of Chevrolet's performance branding, still associated with the company's sportier heritage and used on other models and special editions where applicable.
Summary
The Impala SS stands for Super Sport, Chevrolet's performance-oriented badge applied to the Impala across several eras. From the original 1960s models to mid-1990s revivals and the mid-2000s revival, the SS designation signified enhanced power, handling, and styling, forming a lasting part of Chevrolet's performance legacy.
